Patrick M. O'Connell

Notable work and positions

Chicago Tribune — Reporter

Biography

Patrick M. O'Connell is a reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering a range of topics including the environment, politics, criminal justice, and the business of sports. A native of Des Plaines, Illinois, he was a member of the Tribune team honored for its “The Water Drain” series and covered the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship run. In 2019, he wrote a series of stories on flooding and environmental issues affecting communities along the Mississippi River, including coverage of tensions between farmers, levee districts, and landowners in Illinois and Missouri, and the water challenges facing the small community of Kaskaskia, Illinois. His work has also appeared in the Detroit News, Stars and Stripes, and other outlets.