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Marty Carlino interviews Major League Baseball player Jason Kipnis in June 2019 at the opening of the Northbrook Baseball Kipnis Center. Kipnis, who grew up in Northbrook, played last season with the Chicago Cubs. (Photo provided)
Editor's Note: This is part of a series of stories about young fast-risers in Illinois journalism.
By CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN For Illinois Press Association
WILMETTE – Marty Carlino admits he had a limited worldview before he co-founded a hyperlocal news outlet.
“I was 100 percent the sports guy in college,” the 25-year-old Dominican University graduate said. “I just didn’t have a variety in what I covered early on.”
His adviser at the Dominican Star, communications professor John Jenks, wasn’t about to let that continue.
“Of course, I wanted to volunteer on the sports beat, but he said, ‘Uh, uh, no way, you’re getting out of your comfort zone,’ ” Carlino said, laughing.
Jenks put him on the student government and politics beat, where he thrived.
“The thing about Marty is initially, he came in kind of cautious about things,” Jenks said. “But he’s really curious about things, and once he does get curious, he plans through what he needs to do to find out more about something and how to make it happen with coverage. He’s hard-working, and he follows through.”
Carlino, who graduated in spring 2017, co-founded The Record North Shore, a publication that covers five Chicago North Side suburbs, Winnetka, Wilmette, Glencoe, Kenilworth and part of Northfield.
He and his co-founders had to re-rack March 31, when 22nd Century Media folded under duress of the COVID-19 pandemic and left them unemployed. Joe Coughlin was the publisher of the media group, which published 14 weekly newspapers, and Megan Bernard was editor of two of those publications, the Winnetka Current and The Glencoe Anchor. Carlino was editor of The Northbrook Tower, where he “fell in love with hyper-local journalism.”
“I’m a huge believer in hyper-local news, and more so I believe in the model because it brings the community all the stories it cares about,” Carlino said.
They wasted no time planning the new media group, with Coughlin diving into the paperwork to get The Record North Shore certified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. They launched a Kickstarter campaign and created a video with members of the community at the forefront.
The trio built an editorial board that includes Jenks and J.A. Adande, the director of sports journalism at Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism who’s better known as a longtime ESPN columnist. Sports buffs will recognize him after he spent 13 years on the popular sports banter program “Around the Horn”.
In addition to writing byline stories and editing content for The Record North Shore, Carlino hosts its podcast along with Coughlin. The topics, naturally, are laser-focused on what matters to their listeners.
“That’s not just being there when there’s breaking news or a big story, but having boots on the ground every day, and covering every aspect of the community,” Carlino said.
Losing his first job out of college was a gut-punch.
“I’m not gonna lie, it was tough,” Carlino said. “It was a crushing blow. The proverbial blood, sweat and tears had gone into that publication and making sure the paper came out each week – a lot of long hours and late nights.
“But I never questioned my intentions to stay in the news industry.”
Jenks said he saw Carlino’s dedication firsthand, and that he could always count on Carlino to do whatever it took to put out the Dominican Star on time, from reporting to editing and paginating in the wee hours of the morning.
“He’d be up in the Mac lab doing all the work from the very start to the very end,” Jenks said. “He didn’t just pop in. He’d really work the details.”
Carlino is a pro’s pro who defies stereotypes, however unfair, of millennials and members of Generation Z.
“When I’d tell him to talk to so-and-so, he’d do it; he always follows through,” Jenks said.
But Carlino also has a dry wit about him and a knack for wordplay.
“He’d come off very serious, and then he’d say something funny, something that made you say, ‘Huh?’ ” Jenks said.
He saw Carlino’s star truly rise when he covered the Berwyn community specifically as part of a journalism project his senior year of college. In addition to covering meetings and hard news, Carlino wrote about sports bars and interesting things community residents were doing.
“He really kind of got a good handle on what was going on there,” Jenks said. “He really got into it, and did some really good stories.”
Carlino said one story he covered in college that stands out in his mind is when the university banned tobacco use on campus.
“It was a big deal at the time. I believe there was a decent population at Domincan that were smokers,” he said.
He and another staffer at the Star got a tip from someone they’d worked with, and Carlino followed it like a hawk to the next student government meeting.
“We were able to announce the story before the university announced it,” he said. “It was my first scoop so to speak, and when I got that adrenaline rush, I’d never felt anything like it.
We were proud to be the ones who reported it first. It was a moment of pride, and people cared about it.”
That hyper-local focus helped Carlino get hired at 22nd Century Media before the ink had dried on his diploma, just weeks after graduation, and it’s front and center at The Record North Shore.
Carlino said he puts an emphasis on covering every corner of the community. For instance, when he satisfies his appetite for sports and covers events, he makes a conscious decision to cover often-overlooked sports such as cross country.
“It just builds trust in your news outlet and lets your community know you’re going to be there when news happens,” he said. “It helps you show your newsroom is able to produce stories they really care about.”
Marty Carlino works from the sidelines reporting on a football game between Glenbrook North High School and Grant High School in Fox Lake in 2017. (Photo provided)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2025 Contact Information: Cadeala Troublefield, project manager Griffin & Strong Ph: (678) 364-2962 ext. 111 cadeala@gspclaw.com Courtney Clark, deputy project manager Griffin & Strong Ph: (404) 348-0690 ext. 113 courtney@gspclaw.com
VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING DETAILS DATE(TENTATIVE): Wednesday, November 19, 2025 6 PM CST/7 PM EST Interested Participants Can Register Here: https://gspclaw.zoom.us/meeting/register/ytfUEAagQzqnrQE8eO8mSQ#/registration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2025 Contact Information: Kara Kienzler, associate executive director - communications Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Ph: (217) 528-9688
SPRINGFIELD — November 15 of each year is designated as School Board Members Day. The day of recognition is an occasion to build community awareness about the important role school board members play in a representative democracy by providing a local voice for community education decisions. In 2007, the Illinois House of Representatives declared November 15 as School Board Members Day in the State of Illinois. The resolution states the annual recognition is “a way to honor those citizens who devote so much of their time and energy for the education of our children.” “School board members serve as our local, volunteer education advocates striving for quality learning opportunities for every student. They take on this immense responsibility not for a paycheck, but because they are committed to their communities and the belief that every child deserves a quality education,” said IASB Executive Director Kimberly A. Small, J.D. “Our school board members wear many hats; beyond their educational leadership, they are policy-makers, contract negotiators, and budgeteers. They are also our neighbors, our friends, and our schools’ biggest fans. On November 15 –– School Board Members Day — it is our chance to say, ‘Thank You.’” IASB encourages school districts, communities, businesses, and others to thank local school board members and recognize them for their dedication to providing successful education opportunities for all students. Resources and images to recognize school board members on November 15 are available at www.iasb.com/thankaboardmember.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2025 Media Contact Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director PH: 217-299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
SPRINGFIELD – In a direct response to the growing school leadership shortage across Illinois, the Illinois Principals Association, through its Ed Leaders Network (ELN), has teamed up with Aurora University to launch an exciting and streamlined Alternative Principal Endorsement Program. This endorsement pathway enables educators who already have five years of experience and hold a master’s degree in education to earn their Principal Endorsement in just one year – without completing an additional graduate degree. Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and aligned with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, the program blends an immersive one-year internship with micro‑credentials tailored to school leadership practice. Eligible educators can earn licensure‑approved endorsement within one calendar year. This program is significantly less expensive than a full master’s degree and delivered on a fully remote platform. Participants in the program have appreciated the flexibility and experience the program provides as they enter or continue their school leadership journey. “Having already completed my master's degree, I knew I wanted to add the Principals Endorsement to my license, but I did not want to enroll in another full master's program. I was able to pull from previous leadership experience as I worked through the micro-credentials while still gaining valuable experience during my internship activities. The program is challenging but rewarding as it offers a way to reflect on previous experiences while building new skills as an educational leader."
- Jon Pieper, division head for Career & Technical Education, Physical Education, Drivers Education, and Health Education at Elk Grove High School
“The Alternative Principal Endorsement program was a great fit because everything was online, and I could work at my own pace. The flexibility allowed me to balance professional responsibilities while advancing my leadership skills. I would highly recommend this program to aspiring leaders.”
- Dr. Maribel Guerrero, director of language acquisition, Naperville CUSD 203
Dr. Ed Howerton, director of graduate education programs at Aurora University and former district administrator, shared: "Our program leans heavily into a ‘learning by doing’ framework that is extremely self-driven. It provides flexibility for professionals and ownership in the learning process. Many of our completers have moved into administrative roles sooner than if they had gone through a master’s degree program, and filling leadership voids in our schools is key to promoting student success.” Dr. Jason Leahy, executive director of the Illinois Principals Association, also shared: “When compared to a little over a decade ago, the State of Illinois has experienced an almost 60% reduction in the number of individuals who earn their principal endorsement each year. This alternative pathway provides a rigorous, cost effective, and expedited opportunity for quality educators to demonstrate they possess the skills necessary to be effective school leaders.” Eligible candidates must hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), possess a master’s degree in education, have completed five years of teaching or school support experience, are employed in a full‑time, permanent educational position before program start, and complete required evaluation training and principal content exams to qualify for endorsement. Currently, 81 students are enrolled at various stages of the program at Aurora University, including 30 students that began this fall semester. Twenty-four students have completed the program since its inception, with 12 individuals working in leadership positions. Aurora University Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Aurora University is committed to preparing leaders for the future of education. For a full overview of the program’s structure and registration information, visit the Alternative Principal Endorsement at https://aurora.edu/academics/graduate/principal-endorsement/index.html. Illinois Principals Association The Illinois Principals Association is a leadership organization which serves more than 6,900 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois and whose mission is to develop, support, and advocate for innovative educational leaders. For more information about the IPA, please visit www.ilprincipals.org. Program Contacts Aurora University – Ed Howerton, director of Graduate Education Programs, ehowerton@aurora.edu, 630-844-5626 Ed Leaders Network / Illinois Principals Association – Arlin Peebles, Ed Leaders Network director, arlin.peebles@ilprincipals.org, 217-241-0598
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2025 Contact Illinois Bar Foundation Jessie Reeves, director of events & administration Ph: 312-920-4681 jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org
CHICAGO, November 5, 2025 - Mark D. Hassakis, a personal injury and workers' compensation attorney at Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. of Mount Vernon, Illinois, was recently honored with the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence on Oct. 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Mark D. Hassakis has the legal advocacy of Illinois victims in his blood. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Mark followed in the footsteps of his father, Demetri, a lifelong Mount Vernon attorney, to practice law at Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C, now celebrating 75 years. Mark has dedicated his professional life to helping his fellow Illinois citizens and the community at large. In addition to his exceptional career representing individuals’ needs in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation, professional malpractice, and general tort injury cases, Mark is a true leader with unparalleled dedication to giving back to the community. The Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence, the organization’s highest honor, is awarded annually to individuals whose career and personal life exemplify their ongoing commitment to the law and legal community. “The selection of Mark Hassakis for this year's Distinguished Award of Excellence reflects our belief in the principle that legal excellence and community service go hand in hand. His career demonstrates how individual attorneys can make a lasting impact not just through their practice, but through their commitment to strengthening the legal profession and ensuring access to justice for all Illinois residents.”
Lauren N. Tuckey, Tuckey Law Illinois Bar Foundation President 2025-26
Bar leadership and community impact Mark's commitment to the legal profession extends far beyond his practice. As president of the Illinois State Bar Association (2010-11), he championed juvenile justice reform, established young attorney mentorship programs, and highlighted the vital role lawyers play in strengthening their communities. His passion for juvenile justice led to the establishment of the Illinois Bar Foundation's M. Denny Hassakis Fund, which focuses on improving Illinois' juvenile justice system through public policy changes and programs supporting vulnerable youth. Mark served as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation from 2000 to 2002, during which time he was instrumental in creating the organization's signature fundraising events, including the Gala and Lawyers Rock concert. Mark has held numerous other leadership positions, including chairman of the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company; president of the Jefferson County Bar Association; and board member of the Hellenic Bar Association, the Lawyers' Trust Fund of Illinois, and the Juvenile Justice Initiative. Beyond his legal work, Mark has been a driving force in Mount Vernon and Southern Illinois development. He has spearheaded projects focused on downtown development, historical building restoration, and the support of community parks and arts initiatives. Notable achievements include bringing nationally acclaimed jazz artists to teach area grade school students and commissioning an "Abraham Lincoln as a Lawyer" sculpture for the 5th Appellate Court grounds in Mount Vernon. A proud Northwestern University alumnus, Mark continues to serve as an alumni regent and member of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle since 2012, acting as an ambassador for the university. Mark's extensive community involvement includes leadership roles with the Downtown Development Corporation of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County Historical Society, Lincoln Park Foundation, Vernon West Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), and numerous other local organizations dedicated to enriching Southern Illinois. Bar Admissions