The Soapbox
You’re paying attention:
An emergency room doc told us Thursday that people have been heeding warnings about excessive heat this week, and that’s resulted in fewer trips to the ER. It’s when a super hot day comes as a surprise that we forget the rules and get into trouble. Let’s keep our thinking caps (and sunscreen) on all the time.
Call the storm damage in:
Was your property damaged in the July 11 storm and resulting power outage? If you live in Lake County, reporting it might help local governments get reimbursed for cleanup costs. Call Lake County Emergency Management at (847) 377-7100. You can’t collect any funds, but you might ease the bite for everyone.
In the event of an emergency:
The tragedy of 9/11 focused attention on the need for better communication between emergency service agencies, and Lake County first responders are stepping up. The Interoperable Communications Council already has nearly 130 members preparing to use new integrated technology when called upon. Kudos to them for staying ahead of the curve.
Speaking of Sept. 11:
Batavia is considering re-enacting its luminaria ceremony from 2002 to mark this year’s 10th anniversary. As other towns and local organizations plan observances, we’ll have the opportunity to remember the events that reshaped our nation — reminding us never to be complacent or take for granted the freedoms we have.
Holding our breath:
Glen Ellyn and College of DuPage officials emerged from a closed-door session with a judge this week vowing to work out their differences. The long-running dispute stems from who has jurisdiction over the state’s largest community college. With classes right around the corner, let’s hope cooler heads — finally — prevail.
Dig in! Sure, there were incredibly long, sticky sweaty lines of people waiting to check out the new Rivers Casino when it opened Monday. But the influx of new eateries in Des Plaines also was a most welcome entree.Springinsguth Road watch:What was it, a week that Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg was ground up and rough to drive on? (Though in reality it was less bumpy than it had been.) Well, already a layer of smooth asphalt has been put down, and already it#146;s such an improvement. Schaumburg continues to be efficient with the project.Interesting idea: Round Lake Beach officials will use credit card reward points to help stretch purchasing power. Village officials say they#146;ll use the American Express card to buy various items from suppliers, then cash in on the card#146;s reward points to buy other items and save on capital expenditures. Antioch and Lake Zurich do it, too. Creative idea.Hang in there, Mike:Both Chicago baseball teams have been disappointing and painful to watch this summer, but we can#146;t help taking the Cubs#146; woes a little personally. With Prospect High School graduate Mike Quade at the helm, we#146;d dreamed of a local connection to a World Series, but we still have high hopes. Keep pushing, Mike. The hometown#146;s behind you.