Sara Hooker

Staff Writer
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  • Emailshooker@dailyherald.com

Sara Hooker currently works part-time writing Dining and Cheers 3 columns for TimeOut!, as well as writing stories for the DuPage bureau and editing stories for Reflejos. She began her career with the Daily Herald in 2004 as a reporter covering Glen Ellyn and Glendale Heights. In 2005, she began covering Indian Prairie School District 204 in Aurora and Naperville. In 2007, she switched to part-time and has since worked on various web projects, editing and story assignments.

Hooker wrote numerous stories following District 204's referendum request that eventually passed in 2007 and provided the funding for its third high school, Metea Valley, in Aurora. She reported from Barack Obama's campaign headquarters during both his U.S. Senate primary victory as well as the presidential primary. In 2009, a feature story she wrote about the increase in indoor midnight softball tournaments in the suburbs was selected and appeared in a segment on the ABC 7 Sunday news.

Before joining the Daily Herald, Hooker worked as a reporter and editor at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale school paper, the Daily Egyptian. Hooker earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from SIU and a master's degree in public affairs reporting from University of Illinois Springfield. As part of the masters program at UIS, Hooker completed an internship in the Daily Herald's Springfield bureau covering statehouse politics.

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Dawn Patrol: Arlington Hts. flood survey; Accident survivor thankful

May 14 2013 | 5:42 am - Arlington Heights closer to flood study. Barrington train accident survivor thanks rescuers. Geneva parking deck expansion delayed. IDOT: Young men top crash victims. 10 charged in Aurora prostitution sting. Glen Ellyn seats new president. Bulls...

Warrenville man dies after bike accident

May 13 2013 | 4:47 pm - A Warrenville man who ran into the side of a semi while riding his bicycle home from work early Friday morning has died from his injuries. Police say Carlos Cielo, 30, was riding his bicycle home from his job in Naperville just after midnight when...

Bystanders pull man from burning truck

May 13 2013 | 9:31 pm - Bystanders and Elk Grove police officers are credited with saving a man whose box truck caught on fire after a crash at Thorndale Avenue and Lively Boulevard Monday afternoon, fire officials say.

Man charged with abusing Villa Park girl

May 13 2013 | 9:51 pm - A Joliet man faces charges of having inappropriate sexual contact with a 13-year-old Villa Park girl, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's office. Joshua Scheun, 36, of the 4300 block of Timber Ridge Court, appeared in bond court over...

Night life events: Catch live music at Rugan’s

May 09 2013 | 2:25 pm - Catch Joe Wray from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Rugan's in Antioch — a wine and martini bar and alehouse serving tapas. Or enjoy the best of Latin music — including salsa, bachata, cumbia and merengue — from 8 p.m. to 2...

Dawn Patrol: Not all back pension plan; psychologist on Darien shooter

May 08 2013 | 5:49 am - Darien shooter's story consistent,' psychologist testifies. Not all back union-favored pension cuts. Firefighter hurt in South Barrington house fire. COD president to have building named after him. Former...

Firefighter injured battling South Barrington house fire

May 07 2013 | 11:51 pm - A firefighter was injured while fighting a blaze Tuesday afternoon in a single-family home in a gated retirement community in South Barrington.

Dining events: Pasquale's pizza an award-winner

May 14 2013 | 11:15 am - Congrats to chef Patrick Maggi, owner of Pasquale's Pizzeria and Delicatessen in Palatine and his BLT pizza for coming in seventh place (out of 100) at the 2013 World Pizza Championship held in April in Parma, Italy. Several new items on Rise 'N...

Dawn Patrol: Union-backed pension plan; Brady stepping down

May 07 2013 | 5:54 am - Illinois Senate pushing union-backed pension plan. GOP Chairman Pat Brady stepping down. New mayors in Des Plaines, Wheeling, St. Charles, Lake Zurich, Round Lake. U-46 school board changes guard. Towns cleared in flood dispute. Carol Stream police...

Night life: Hofbrauhaus celebrates German maibock

Apr 30 2013 | 3:25 pm - Hofbrauhaus Chicago celebrates maibock. Porter's Pub features a dual Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo bash this weekend. John Barleycorn hosts a three-day street fest.

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