Stebic in People magazine

The story of a missing Plainfield mom will be read by people across the country today when the latest issue of People magazine hits newsstands.

This week's issue includes a story on Lisa Stebic, 38, who has been missing since April 30.

Stebic was last seen by her husband, Craig, about 6 p.m. that day at her house before seemingly vanishing without a trace. Her cell phone and credit cards have not been used since.

Police on Wednesday said there was no new information on her whereabouts.

One reason Stebic's story is claiming the national spotlight is because people can easily relate to it, said Lisa Barron, the People magazine correspondent who wrote the story.

"I think in the end everyone wants justice. Whatever happened, here's a young beautiful woman whose family is in agony," she said.

"It's not a celebrity story, it's not a rare medical disease," she said. "It's a mother of two, who has a loving family and friends, who went missing."

On Tuesday, Stebic's family increased a reward offering for information leading to Lisa's location. Initially set at $20,000, the family raised the reward to $50,000 and created a fund at First National Bank in Plainfield to accept donations to raise it further.

If the reward is never claimed, the money will be used for a college fund for the Stebics' two children.

As of Wednesday afternoon, about $1,600 had been donated, said family spokeswoman Melanie Greenberg.

She said Lisa's family is hopeful the magazine's coverage will reach people who may not have seen Lisa's case covered on national cable news channels.

"This is a different kind of audience," she said, adding that People magazines often circulate in waiting rooms and offices long after they're released.

Barron commended Lisa's family for their work to attract media attention to the case, saying People's editors picked up on the story after seeing it on Chicago television.

"It's a heartbreaking story all around," Barron said.

Anyone with information on Lisa Stebic's location is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at (815) 267-7217 or Will County Crime Stoppers at (800) 323-6734.

Checks payable to "Lisa Stebic and Children Fund" can be mailed to First National Bank, 13600 S. Route 59, Plainfield, IL, 60544. Donations can also be made at www.findlisastebic.com using PayPal.