Dane Placko
Dane Placko is a general assignment reporter at FOX 32 News and enjoys covering a variety of stories, from spot news to sports to features.
Placko was born in Chicago in the Rogers Park neighborhood. He moved with his family first to Arlington Heights and then Palatine, where he attended both Fremd and Palatine High Schools. He majored in history at the University of Illinois at Urbana, then began his career in broadcasting at WHO Radio and T.V. in Des Moines.
After a brief stop in Milwaukee, Placko returned home to Chicago and FOX 32 News in 1992, where he has received Emmy awards for spot news reporting and writing.
An avid gardener, Placko lives on the city's Northeast Side, and is best known among his colleagues as a long-suffering Cubs fan (not anymore, though!).
The latest from Dane Placko
Electrical fire breaks out at Chicago City Hall, prompts evacuation
An electrical fire reportedly broke out around midday Wednesday at Chicago City Hall as alderpeople were meeting.
Judge to decide if key witness in Madigan trial is fit to testify
A federal judge will rule Wednesday morning whether one of the government‘s key witnesses against former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan is competent to testify.
Tiffany Henyard claims voter suppression after losing Democratic backing in township race
Just days after losing the backing of Thornton Township Democrats, embattled supervisor Tiffany Henyard criticized the process that led to her replacement and vowed to continue fighting to keep her job.
Water tower demolition leaves Waukegan homes covered in dust: 'Everything is ruined'
There’s a big dust up among residents of north suburban Waukegan—over too much dust.
Parents call for action as suburban students endure freezing classrooms
Some parents say classes should have gone to remote learning, rather than let students shiver in school.
Illinois officials call for stricter vaping laws targeting teens
A coalition of politicians, doctors, and law enforcement officials are calling for tougher laws to crack down on teenage vaping.
Chicago baseball stadium used to cook Thanksgiving meals for 4,000 people
It's called Chicago's biggest Thanksgiving meal. It's so big, they need to prepare it in a ballpark.
Chicago's cold chain industry plays crucial role in holiday feasts
You've probably never heard of the cold chain industry, but without it, your Thanksgiving dinner plate would be pretty empty.
Federal complaint filed against NIU alleges 2 programs violate the Constitution
A new federal complaint accuses Northern Illinois University (NIU) of discriminating based on race and sex.
Chicago area launches campaign to improve recycling rates, tackle confusion
There’s a new push to boost recycling rates across the Chicago area. But there’s also a lot of new confusion about what can be recycled and what must be thrown away.