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EILEEN NORRIS 1953-2026
By Bob Goldsborough
FOR THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Longtime journalist, author and editor Eileen C. Norris wrote and edited widely read health books such as the "American Medical Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia" and the "Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide."
"She was a very talented and gifted writer, she was especially good at interviewing people, and she was also very good at bringing attention to causes in a respectful way and in a way that people were inspired," said Rosie Burke, a longtime friend and former coworker.
Norris, 73, died of complications of an aplastic thyroid cancer on Aug. 7 at Evanston Hospital, said her daughter Kristen Dold Christman. A longtime LaGrange Park resident, Norris had been married to former Tribune editor Bruce Dold for 43 years until his death in 2025.
Born in Chicago in 1953, Norris was one of five children in a close-knit Irish family. She lived in the South Side Englewood neighborhood before moving with her family to Westchester in grade school. After graduating from Proviso West High School, Norris studied at Triton College while working as a secretary. Her boss encouraged her to pursue a writing career. She next enrolled at Northern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1978 and worked on the student newspaper, the Northern Star, as a police reporter.
In 1978, Norris joined the staff of the Tribune's Suburban Trib suburban news supplements, where she and Dold met. Norris was a general assignment reporter and also worked for the Tribune's health team task force.
"Eileen was very self-effacing about her work (and) didn't blow her own horn the way most of us in the newspaper business do," said former Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown, a longtime friend who attended college with Norris.
Brown's wife, former Tribune managing editor Hanke Gratteau, also was a close friend of Norris. She called Norris "kind, generous and loving "and said that she" could spot a phony a mile away."
In 1980, Norris joined the Chicago-based trade publication Business Insurance, where she worked as an associate editor until 1983. She then stepped away from full-time work to be a freelance writer and editor for the next decade, until returning in 1993 to takeafull-timejobatNorthwestern Memorial Hospital, editing its Lifetime of Health quarterly magazine.
Norris returned to the freelance arenain1995,servingasoneofthree main writers for the 1,000-page "Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide" medical book. That work paved the way for Norris to join the American Medical Association in 1999 as the senior editor of consumer books, a role in which she researched, wrote and edited the AMA's medical encyclopedia.
In 2004, Norris took a job as an editorialmanagerofpublicationsat the Joint Commission in Oakbrook Terrace. In that role, she managed a team of senior editors who produced 75 health-related books annually and six monthly newsletters. She also was managing editor of the bestselling book "You: The Smart Patient," by Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen.
Norris resumed freelancing in 2007. She wrote online and print articles for NorthShore University HealthSystem, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the University of Chicago. She also undertook numerous book writing and editing projects, including editing the 2011 book "The Available Parent: Radical Optimism in Raising Teens and Tweens."
Norris' daughter said her mother felt that writing gave her a reason to keep learning.
"She was curious and really good at taking something complicated - especially medical information - and figuring out how to make it clear and useful to regular people," Christman said. "She was also a meticulous editor and loved the process of making something better. She had very little ego about the work. She spent a lot of her career behind the scenes, writing and editing books where someone else's name was on the cover, and that never seemed to bother her much."
In 2011, Norris was inducted into Northern Illinois University's Northern Star Hall of Fame, which honors former students, advisers and friends of the university's student newspaper. In 2012, the university's journalism program honored her with the Donald R. Grubb Distinguished Alumni Award.
After retiring from working in 2019, Norris enjoyed growing and arranging flowers from her yard. She also enjoyed traveling to Ireland and spending time with herhusbandinNewBuffalo,Michigan, where they hosted friends and watched sunsets over Lake Michigan. An active grandparent, Norris also volunteered at Hope Chest in La Grange, which provides support for domestic violence survivors.
In addition to Kristen, Norris is survived by another daughter, Megan; five grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Ann Fritsch.
A visitation and Mass took place Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Church in La Grange.
Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourages communities to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week Oct. 18-24, 2026, and Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 23, to highlight the dedication of principals, assistant principals, and deans. This annual recognition has been recognized by Illinois governors since 1990. October is also National Principals Month, supported by the IPA, the National Principals Association (NPA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Brian Faulkner, IPA president and principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School (Sugar Grove), shared: "During Principal Appreciation Week, we celebrate the dedicated school leaders across Illinois who work tirelessly to create schools where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Principals are lead learners, culture builders, advocates, and champions for both students and staff. We are grateful for the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment they bring to their schools and learning communities each and every day." “This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they do – unlocking the potential of those they serve,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.” IPA invites teachers, students, parents, and community members to show appreciation for school leaders on Friday, Oct. 23.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) will host its 55th Education Leaders Annual Conference, “Unlocking Potential,” from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 in Peoria. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help school leaders enhance their impact on schools and communities. 2026-2027 IPA President Brian Faulkner shared, “Unlocking Potential is grounded in the belief that leadership is not confined to a title. Leadership lives within every member of our school community, and when we create opportunities for others to lead, we unlock the collective potential of our students, staff, and communities.” The conference kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, with a golf tournament, committee meetings, and a welcome reception honoring past IPA presidents. Keynote speakers include: Phil Januszewski, a 20-year educator turned full-time motivator, will deliver a keynote Monday morning titled “Less Tired. More Inspired: Three Actions Toward Thriving Instead of Surviving.” Januszewski will share three crucial actions that will allow leaders to leverage individual strengths and passions to reach higher levels of happiness, fulfillment, and giving, all while avoiding burnout and a negative mindset. Brian Faulkner, 2026-2027 IPA president, and Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will speak Monday afternoon. IPA Awards for Excellence, Herman Graves Awards, Reaching Out & Building Bridges Awards, and the Mr. John Ourth & Dr. Fred W. Singleton Professional Development Scholarships will also be presented at this session. Dr. Mary Hemphill, CEO and founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, will open Tuesday morning with her session “Future-Proof Leadership: Unlocking Potential in a Skills-Based Economy.” Future-proof leadership will equip principals. assistant principals and deans with a practical framework for leading a skills-based economy, including actionable strategies to implement immediately for kindergarten through high school. Additionally, Tuesday’s IGNITE session will feature fast-paced presentations from school and district leader duos, including Dr. Ben Collins, superintendent, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64; Dr. Courtney Goodman, principal, Eugene Field Elementary School (Park Ridge); Dr. Jill Griffin, superintendent, Bethalto Community Unit School District 8; and Justin Newell, principal, Civic Memorial High School (Bethalto). These leaders will share their perspectives on implementing the School Leader Paradigm and Illinois School Leader Evaluation Plan in their respective districts. The conference will conclude with IPA Deputy Executive Director Brian Schwartz and IPA Government & Public Relations Director Alison Maley, who will provide updates on new education-related laws passed during the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session, and offering insights on how school leaders can stay informed and advocate for their schools. For more information about the IPA or to register to attend, please visit ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2026 Media Contact Information: Office of the Highway Commissioner Northfield Township Road District 237 Melvin Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 724-8300 ntroad@northfieldtownship.com
Property acquisition moves the MWRD–Road District partnership closer to protecting 130 residential structures and critical roadways from flooding across Northfield Township NORTHBROOK — The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) announced that the purchase of the nearly 16-acre property for the stormwater detention basin serving the Central Road Flood Control Project closed Sept. 8. The project is designed to reduce flooding affecting 130 residential structures and several roadways in South Glenview. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the 15.82-acre site, along with a 0.91-acre temporary construction easement, from Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc., for $8.15 million plus closing costs. The property acquisition is a major milestone in the intergovernmental partnership between the Road District and the MWRD to deliver flood relief along the Central Road corridor from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane. “For the families in South Glenview who have watched water come up their driveways year after year, this property acquisition means the detention basin is no longer a line on a drawing — it is on its way to becoming real,” said Highway Commissioner Michael J. Korman. “When Central Road stays open and dry during a major storm, every resident of Northfield Township benefits, whether they are commuting, getting kids to school, or counting on first responders to get through.” The project will bring direct relief to residents of South Glenview and the surrounding unincorporated area, where flooding has repeatedly threatened homes, yards, and streets. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce flooding that impacts 130 single- and multi-family residential structures, as well as several roadways within and around the project area. The full project includes new mainline storm sewers under Central Road and Dearlove Road and lateral storm sewers on Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road and Hillside Road within the Road District’s jurisdiction. The approximately 16-acre detention basin site near Dee Road and Central Avenue will capture and temporarily store stormwater during major rainfall events, reducing pressure on the corridor’s existing drainage system. While the detention basin will capture and store stormwater at the west end of the corridor, the benefits extend across the entire Road District. Reduced flooding protects the pavement, culverts and drainage infrastructure the Road District maintains on behalf of all Township residents, lowers long-term repair costs, and keeps a vital east–west route reliable during severe weather. MWRD is leading and funding the $8.15 million land acquisition, along with the design and construction of the project. Once construction is complete, the Road District will assume long-term ownership and maintenance of the improvements within its jurisdiction. “Strong partnerships are essential to building more resilient communities, and we appreciate the Northfield Township Road District's collaboration on the Central Road Flood Control Project,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Together, we're expanding stormwater storage, reducing flood risks, and protecting our waterways while creating lasting benefits for Northfield Township residents.” Next steps include completing due diligence on the property, conducting survey and staking work, and continued progress on the project design. Aquatic biologists from the MWRD’s Monitoring and Research Department will also be assessing the potential transfer of turtles and fish. The aquatic biologists are conducting an environmental suitability assessment in September to evaluate that conditions are appropriate for this plan. The Road District will keep residents informed as the project advances toward construction. For updates on this project and other Road District programs, visit ntroad.com. About the Northfield Township Road District The Northfield Township Road District is an independent unit of local government organized under the Illinois Highway Code (605 ILCS 5/), responsible for the construction, maintenance, and drainage of roads within its jurisdiction in Cook County, Illinois. The Road District is led by an elected Highway Commissioner and serves residents across Northfield Township, including unincorporated areas.
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