The first issue of The Hinsdalean was published Sept. 28, 2006. This weekly newspaper is dedicated to covering Hinsdale, focusing on the people who live and work here. The founders built the newspaper around the philosophy of community journalism the way it was meant to be. That philosophy recalls simpler times when one newspaper covered one town. The Hinsdalean, which is delivered free each Thursday morning, is the only newspaper that delivers every issue to every home in Hinsdale.
Co-owners Jim Slonoff and Pam Lannom both began their newspaper careers here in Hinsdale at The Doings. Their love of the newspaper field and of this community led them to start The Hinsdalean.
Jim is a past president of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the Illinois Press Association. He is currently vice president of the Illinois Press Foundation, a board member for the Illinois Press Association, past treasurer of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association and an adviser to the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Ilene, live in Hinsdale and raised their two sons here. He has won national, state and regional awards in design, photography and advertising. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University.
Pam is past president of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a past president and board member for the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association. She also is the former lay leader and church council chairman at the First United Methodist Church in Western Springs. She and her husband, Dan, live in the western suburbs. She has won national, state and regional writing awards. She earned her master’s degree in literature from American University and holds a bachelor’s in literature from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Staff members include Ken Knutson, associate editor; Lisa Skrapka, account executive; Becky Campbell, senior graphic designer; and Tina Wisniowicz, classified/service/legal account executive. The group has worked together a combined total of more than 150 years right here in Hinsdale.
The Hinsdalean was named the best medium-sized weekly newspaper in Illinois, by the Illinois Press Association, in 2020 and 2021 and best large-sized weekly newspaper in 2022 and 2023. Since the paper’s beginning, the staff has won more than 300 awards from regional, state and national press associations.
