Elena Ferrarin

Freelance Writer

United States

Versatile freelance writer fluent in Spanish and Italian with 20 years of experience as a news reporter.

Stories published in newspapers, magazines and online publications.

Awards from Illinois Newspaper Association, Northern Illinois Newspaper Association, Illinois Associated Press Media Editors, Inland Press Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications.

M.S. in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, B.A. in psychology from Brown University,

Words matter.

Contact me at [email protected]

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Portfolio
A&E
02/08/2022
What really happened to Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez?

Cite Article Details: Warning: The following contains disturbing descriptions of violence. Reader discretion is advised. The death of a U.S. Army soldier whose severed head washed ashore in North Carolina in 2020 remains unsolved, although three fellow soldiers who last saw him alive were charged with various crimes. Spc.

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
12/03/2021
An in-depth analysis of the Capacity Building Program

Interviewed more than 30 sources, including internal and external stakeholders, and wrote a 20-page report and a five-page executive summary on CMAP's Capacity Building Program for local municipalities.

Daily Herald
10/01/2021
'It made me who I am': Growing up on the Arlington Park backstretch

The official farewell fanfare is over. The final photo finish flashed on the screen and the grandstands have emptied. Likely the last horse racing season in Arlington Heights has ended, but some of the most painful goodbyes happened behind the scenes.

A&E
09/07/2021
Cold Case Files host Bill Kurtis talks true crime

Bill Kurtis is the original host of A&E's original true crime series, Cold Case Files. The series, which featured 135 episodes from 1999 to 2017, returned in August 2021 with new episodes-and Kurtis as its narrator once again. Kurtis has worn a lot of hats in his life-anchor, journalist, TV host, author, documentarian, spokesman.

Daily Herald
06/04/2020
Elgin cop retires after questions about Twitter posts

An Elgin police officer announced his immediate retirement after the Daily Herald asked him about statements he made on Twitter, including laughing about a protester who reportedly lost an eye after he was struck by a police tear gas canister in Indiana.

Daily Herald
03/30/2020
Fair maps advocates hopeful

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown uncertainty into the push for independent and transparent legislative redistricting in Illinois.

Daily Herald
12/10/2019
An equal share of legal pot: Entrepreneurs look to communities hurt by laws in the past

When Illinois begins accepting applications today from the general public to open recreational marijuana stores, Zuly Gomez and Alexander Perez hope they'll have an edge in getting licensed to open businesses in Elgin and Aurora. They are applying under a "social equity" component of legalization in the new state law that will provide opportunities to people and communities historically affected by marijuana criminalization.

Daily Herald
12/09/2019
Was South Elgin cop let off easy after domestic violence charges, violating order on drinking?

South Elgin police officer Shane Christenson, who for a year was allowed to carry a gun only while on duty, has been working under a "last chance" disciplinary agreement. The officer was disciplined after he violated an order to abstain from alcohol after he was indicted on domestic violence charges in Elgin, charges that later were reduced to disorderly conduct.

Daily Herald
06/13/2018
Houseless, not homeless: Elgin man 'content' with life in 'Tent City'

"I am not homeless. I am houseless." That's how Doug Henke, a 56-year-old man who lives in a tent in the woods in Elgin, describes his life. Henke is one of the few year-round residents of "Tent City," an encampment of scattered tents and makeshift dwellings ensconced between the railroad tracks and the Fox River in Elgin.

Daily Herald
12/05/2017
Murdered Elgin woman's relatives urged her to stay away from son

Gail Peck kept pictures of her son Brian in drawers all over her bedroom -- in her nightstand, among her clothes, in yellowed photo albums. The 76-year-old woman displayed one special photo -- Brian smiling in a black suit and tie, Gail glowing in a sequined gown and sparkling necklace -- in a frame on her dresser, likely a reminder of happier times before her troubled son turned violent.

Daily Herald
05/20/2017
Clients, therapists say culture plays key role in mental health treatment

First of three parts Ale Bugaro is listening to her new client's uncertainty about seeking therapy for her depression and anxiety. The client just isn't sure it will work. Besides, the woman tells Bugaro, she's already paid a witch doctor $500 to chase the devil out of her.

Daily Herald
01/13/2015
Elgin traffic stop data shows black people stopped more

Blacks were disproportionately stopped and more likely to be asked for consent for vehicle searches during traffic stops in 2013 in Elgin, but police say there is no indication that's due to racial profiling.

Fra Noi
07/01/2014
More than just a game

A referee from a family of referees, he has developed an appreciation for football that transcends the rules he is empowered to enforce.

Brown Alumni Magazine
12/05/2012
Updating Ebony

Whitney Houston's death last February made headlines around the world. But, while most media outlets highlighted Houston's battles with drug addiction, the African American media tended to celebrate the achievements of a woman who, yes, fought her personal demons, but who is nonetheless a hero and a role model.

Reflejos
08/30/2008
A life rebuilt

From prison to helping the homeless, Israel Vargas said he's found his way.