Liz Crokin writes the EyeContact column every Monday in RedEye. Liz has been hanging with celebrities and attending hot parties her whole life, but now, with RedEye, she's found an opportunity to write about it.

While attending the University of Iowa, Liz found herself chilling backstage at rock concerts with the likes of Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews. She also worked as an intern for Bill O'Reilly, CBS and pseudo.com, which took her to the Republican and Democratic national conventions in 2000.

After graduation, Liz moved to Washington, D.C., where she reported in the White House for the State Department's news service and wrote for an entertainment magazine. But the lack of a rockin' party scene in the nation's capital, and a little homesickness, brought Liz back home to her beloved Chicago. Liz also works as a freelance writer for various celebrity magazines and has a blog at www.thesebootsaremadeforstalking.com.

E-mail her with your Chicago celebrity sightings. She'll confirm and write about the best ones in her Page 4 column!

Liz can be reached at eyecontact@tribune.com

Recent Columns:

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August 25, 2008
Swayze in town for the big 5-6
Patrick Swayze celebrated his 56th birthday last Monday in Chicago on the set of "The Beast."

August 11, 2008
Simpson goes country in the city
Jessica Simpson spent the day in Chicago last Wednesday for a quick trip to shop and promote her new country album.

August 4, 2008
Check it out ... LiLo-palooza
Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson swept into the Windy City over the weekend for Lollapalooza.

July 28, 2008
Swayze in the City
As I reported last Monday, Patrick Swayze is in Chicago for the next few months to film his A&E TV series "The Beast." He was last here in December filming the show's pilot. But Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, have had time for some R&R with leisurely lunches and long walks along the Chicago River and on Michigan Avenue with their two dogs. The couple also has found some time to socialize with friends.

July 7, 2008
Sign of the times
John Mayer flew into O'Hare last Monday from the U.K. for a string of Midwest shows through Sunday, when he performed at the Rothbury Festival in Rothbury, Mich.

June 30, 2008
Boys or leading men?
Several Hollywood hot shots were in town over the weekend, including Jeremy Piven, Ian Ziering, Stephen Dorff and singer Josh Kelley--but witnesses tell me some of the stars didn't seem eager to share the spotlight.

June 23, 2008
Wentz at home
Pete Wentz returned home to Chicago last week for the first time since his wedding to his adorable, pregnant wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Wentz had a busy week attending events and opening his new nightclub, Angels & Kings. Here's a rundown of my former New Trier classmate's jam-packed few days.

June 16, 2008
What R. Kelly did after the trial
R. Kelly likes to go out and have a good time, but during his trial he kept a very low profile. However, after his not guilty verdict on Friday, Kelly went to the Grand Lux Cafe, and on Saturday night he dined at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, according to a source close to the R & B singer.

June 9, 2008
Don't blink—you'll miss a star
Summer always brings a slew of celebrities to the Windy City, and this year is no exception. Here's a roundup of celebrity sightings from last week:

May 27, 2008
Stars shine—and sizzle—in Hollywood
L.A. turned up the heat Wednesday night at the Maxim Hot 100 party at Paramount Studios, where I ran into several celebrities I've covered and met in Chicago.