Author

Chicago Historian

Crime Writer

Sports Writer

Journalist

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Appearances

Public Appearances, Lectures, Media Interviews & Readings

July 21, 2016, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Bridgeview Library, 7840 W. 79th Street, Bridgeview, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Covering some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact Jennifer Bonbrake at


July 26, 2016, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm Street, Prospect Heights, IL. Presentation: “The Gangs of Chicago: 1860-1990,” A new presentation based on Rich’s latest book, “Gangland Chicago: Criminality and Lawlessness in the Windy City,” published by Rowman and Littlefield in October 2015. Contact: Terri Campbell at 847-259-9150, ex. 36.


August 18, 2016, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Bridgeview Library, 7840 W. 79th Street, Bridgeview, IL.  Program: “Return to the Scene of the Crime.” Rich returns to the Bridgeview Library to give a slide presentation on famous Chicago crimes and crime scenes. Contact Jennifer Bonbrake at
August 20, 2016, Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Whiting, Indiana Library, 1735 Oliver Street, Whiting, IN. Talk and presentation: “The Gambler King of Clark Street,” based on Rich’s award-winning 2009 biography of gambler / political boss Michael C. McDonald. Contact: Troy at: .


August 30, 2016, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine, IL. Presentation: “The Gangs of Chicago: 1860-1990,” A new presentation based on Rich’s latest book, “Gangland Chicago: Criminality and Lawlessness in the Windy City,” published by Rowman and Littlefield in October 2015. Contact: Gayle Weyland at 847-358-5881 x-114


September 9, 2016, Friday, 7:30 p.m. St. Anthony’s W.O.W. Club, St. Anthony’s Church, 7659 W. Sauk Trail, Frankfort, IL  Presentation: “The Gangs of Chicago: 1860-1990,” A new presentation based on Rich’s latest book, “Gangland Chicago: Criminality and Lawlessness in the Windy City,” published by Rowman and Littlefield in October 2015.


October 2, 2016, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Homewood Library, 17917 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Covering some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact Rose Olsar at 708-799-9055.

October 20, 2016, Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Deerfield Public Library, 920 N. Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL.  Program: “Return to the Scene of the Crime.” Rich will give a slide presentation on famous Chicago crimes and crime scenes based on his 1998 book of the same name. Contact Kay Palacek: 847-580-8955.
October 22, 2016, Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Crestwood Library, 4955 W. 135th Street, Crestwood, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Covering some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact: Katelyn Saren at 708-371-4090.


October 25, 2016, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Orland Park Library, 14921 Ravinia Avenue, Orland Park, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Rich returns to Prospect Heights to cover some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact: Kelli Cuci at 708-428-5114


November 16, 2016, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Rich returns to Prospect Heights to cover some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact: Gayle Weyland at 847-358-5881 x-114


November 19, 2016, Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Bus Tour: “North by Northwest Crime Scenes.” - Chicago History Museum, Clark Street at North Avenue. This is the tenth consecutive year Rich has led bus tours for the Museum.  Each and every one has sold out well in advance. To make reservations please call 312.799.2158 or contact: Ilana Bruton at .


November 29, 2016, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Prospect Heights Library, 12 N. Elm Street, Prospect Heights, IL.  Program: “Devils in the White City and Beyond,” Rich returns to Prospect Heights to cover some of Chicago’s most fiendish “Gaslight Era” killers including H.H. Holmes, Adolph Leutgert, Johann Hoch, Belle Gunness, plus killers outside Chicago; Lizzie Borden of Fall River, MA; the “Bloody Benders” of Kansas; and Amy Archer Gilligan – the inspiration for the movie and play “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Contact: Terri Campbell at 847-259-9150 x-36

April 21, 2014, Monday, 7:00 p.m. Homer Township Library, 14320 W. 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL. A presentation and discussion of the White Sox. Contact Heather Colby at

April 3, 2014, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Stickney-Forrestville Public Library District, 6800 W. 43rd Street, Stickney, IL. Presentation about the Chicago White Sox. Contact: Michael Fosses at

March 29, 2014, Saturday,1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Bus Tour: “South Side Sinners: A Tour of Famous Crime Scene Locations South of Madison Street.” - Chicago History Museum. This is the eighth consecutive year Rich has led bus tours for the Museum.  Each and every one has sold out well in advance. To make reservations please call 312.799.2158 or contact: Ilana Bruton at .

March 25, 2014, Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. Morris Area Library, 604 Liberty Street, Morris, IL. “White Sox From Beginning to End.” Contact: Nancy Wilson at 815.942.6880 or  

March 19, 2014, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. Talk and presentation: “Ardent Spirits: Prohibition and Gangster Chicago.” Contact: Nadine Bachman at 630-279-8696. X-364, or: .

March 17, 2014, Monday, 7:00 p.m. Midlothian Holy Name Society. Presentation on the Chicago White Sox.

February 26, 2014, Wednesday. 7:00 North Riverside Library, 2400 S. Des Plaines Ave. N. Riverside, IL 60546. “Return to the Scene of the Crime.” Contact: Mary Cooper at

prior appearances

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