The following applies to any writing I do on this site, Twitter, Facebook or elsewhere. 

I own a home in the Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago and previously volunteered for the neighborhood’s South Side Irish Parade for several years. I’ve been a board member with the Southwest Chicago Diversity Collaborative and the Beverly Area Planning Association.

I have a vested interest in the health of my neighborhood and raising the profile of the oft-overlooked South Side. But just as you wouldn’t recommend a place to a friend unless it was good, if I’m bragging on something down here it’s because I believe it’s worth your time to check it out.

I am or have been either a full-time employee or freelancer with publications associated with Chicago magazine, Playboy, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out Chicago, RedEye, and Chicagoist. I’ve appeared as a commentator on programs associated with WTTW, WGN and WBEZ. I’ve appeared on panels, organized events and socialized with people from countless blogs and media entities. All this is worth noting for writing I might do about media. Or Chicago.

To the best of my ability, I try not to let the above color my opinions. Where such previous interactions might cloud my judgment on an issue, I tend to avoid writing about the topic altogether or confess to a specific bias or association so the reader can judge for him or herself.

Finally, I am currently the Chief Communications Officer at the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The views on this site (most of which predate my time there) are mine, not theirs. Whenever possible, I attempt to divorce my current position from what I  write, and do so as honestly as possible. When that isn’t possible, I disclose whatever bias might color my point of view.