About The West Chicago Voice:
Welcome to West Chicago Voice, your trusted source of news and information for the vibrant community of West Chicago. Founded by local residents with deep roots in the community West Chicago Voice aims to provide timely and reliable news coverage right at your fingertips. Our family has over 45 years in this community we call home, we’ve witnessed the growth and transformation of the town firsthand, making us well-equipped to understand the needs and interests of WeGo’s residents.
Throughout our lives, we have been committed to West Chicago and its progress. Together with our family, we have made West Chicago our forever home. We feel the lack of a local newspaper on a deeply personal level, we grew up with the West Chicago Press and even worked for them for over 8 years. WeGo is an amazing community and our children deserve to know the joy of seeing their name in the newspaper as we did growing up here. Businesses deserve the recognition of their accomplishments, and our fine public servants of the Police department and fire protection district should be offered a venue in which to communicate important information to the residents. Concerns intrinsic to the place we call home should have a platform to be expressed.
Local residents should feel they have a VOICE, thus the name choice. It may not be a print vehicle right now, but maybe someday it will be. We want access to be free and open to everyone interested in the news of West Chicago to be able to view it. There will be no “paywalls” that require readers to pay to access online information and block them from viewing it if they don’t.
We had an opportunity to make another community our home, but we didn’t. We chose to stay right here in our hometown and raise our family. The town has served as a nurturing environment for our family, providing the perfect backdrop for our children’s education. All three of our kids are proud graduates of West Chicago Community High School, a testament to the quality of education provided by the local institutions. We are ardent supporters of various local initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of our fellow residents. When we’re not click-clacking away on our keyboards, our family enjoys working in our large, organic vegetable garden, viewing and enjoying live music and food fests and events as well as frequenting local sporting events at the high school. We also cherish spending quality time with our kids and have a particular fondness for movies from the Marvel Comic Universe!
(The Niziolek Family- Coach Nizi (x 2) at the 50 yard line of WCCHS and the Rest of us (Homecoming 2023)
The West Chicago Voice is the culmination of our dedication to keeping the community informed and empowered. Our love for West Chicago knows no bounds. It is this passion that led us to establish the West Chicago Voice, a community newspaper dedicated to the stories, achievements, and concerns of the residents. With a team of talented journalists and contributors, we strive to cover a wide range of topics that matter to you. From local news and events to business spotlights and human interest stories, we aim to capture the essence of West Chicago in every article we produce. We are excited to embark on this journey with you, our valued readers. Together, let’s explore the fascinating tapestry of West Chicago and make a difference in the place we proudly call home.
Our best content comes from YOU, the local community! Please send us your announcements, news, meeting times and dates, club or worship schedules, school news , obituaries, and any news fit to print. We can’t wait to learn more about what’s happening in town! Send us your news via email to: Hello@WestChicagoVoice.com or use the form located here.
If you’re a local business owner (and believe in what we’re doing) and you’re interested in being seen in the ground-breaking return to LOCAL journalism in WeGo, please check out our advertising information provided here.
Don’t miss out on any news or events, subscribe to the West Chicago Voice here.
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*The West Chicago Voice is NOT affiliated with The Voice in Aurora, IL.
We Are Committed To Growth!
About Lisa Yunker Welz
Lisa Yunker Welz brings over 13 years of journalism experience to the West Chicago Voice, with a proven track record of capturing the essence of the communities she covers. Her portfolio includes in-depth feature stories and insightful reports on local municipalities and school districts.
Growing up in West Chicago and graduating from West Chicago Community High School, Lisa has a unique insight into our local culture and issues. She also has a robust background in marketing, further enhancing her communication skills. Lisa studied Communications and Public Relations at Valparaiso University and the University of Iowa.
Lisa is deeply involved in community activities, having served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Yorkville School District and the Board of Directors for the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Community High School District 94 Educational Foundation.
Lisa’s blend of journalistic excellence, marketing acumen, and community engagement makes her an invaluable asset to the West Chicago Voice. You can read all of her articles here.
Lisa Welz
About Heather Niziolek
About Heather Niziolek
Heather Niziolek is a dynamic and multi-talented professional with a rich background in sales, editorial work, and entrepreneurship. With a career that began at the West Chicago Press, Heather has since established herself as a published author and a dedicated entrepreneur in the craft and handmade maker space. Over the past 20 years, she has successfully launched and managed various startups and small businesses, showcasing her versatility and business acumen.
A born writer, Heather has won several awards, including the Handmade Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Handmade Business Magazine in 2020. Her deep-rooted connection to the West Chicago community is evident through her active involvement in local activities, including her support for the high school football team. She graduated from West Chicago Community High School and the local school district, further solidifying her ties to the community.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Heather works as a chiropractic assistant and has also served as a police records specialist and jail matron at a local police department, demonstrating her commitment to community service.
As a co-publisher and editor of the West Chicago Voice, Heather wears many hats. She has single-handedly written all the articles for the newspaper over the past year and also serves as the photographer, graphic designer, and advertising sales representative. Her comprehensive skill set and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the publication’s success.
Heather’s blend of editorial expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and community engagement makes her an invaluable asset to the West Chicago Voice. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to quality journalism continue to drive the newspaper’s growth and impact.
Read all of Heather’s articles here.