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The Soapbox

Hold the phone:

Think your cellphone is invaluable? Add this to the list of things a person can do without one: Run the Illinois House and, by extension, most of state government. Imagine that.

Smaller gambling expansion:

The Illinois Lottery added yet another daily lottery drawing. Now the Lucky Day Lotto has an afternoon and evening drawing, just like the daily Pick 3, daily Pick 4 and “My3.” Add that to the Lotto, MegaMillions and PowerBall. The state has found a way to subtly expand gambling.

Too quick on the trigger:

A couple of St. Charles aldermen changed their vote on the city selling guns confiscated by police back to two private dealers because, they said, they misunderstood the proposal. They thought only guns actually used by police would be sold back. It’s not reassuring that either the aldermen were confused or that the details were not clear.

Hear ye, grocery baggers:

You do a great service, but why is it that when a customer comes through checkout with environmentally friendly canvas bags that don’t fit all the groceries, some of you insist on putting only one or two leftover items in each plastic bag that’s needed? And, for Earth’s sake, don’t bag the milk.

Reverse psychology?

Watching a T-ball game in Buffalo Grove, we were reminded of a movie in which children’s teams had no outs and everyone won a trophy. The exact opposite seems true on adult reality shows, whether contestants are baking cookies or crossing an alligator-infested stream. The hosts just can’t wait to tell the losers how bad they are and send them home.

Tough loss:

A mainstay for decades, the Libertyville Pageant won’t be staged in 2013 during the popular Libertyville Days festival. Organizers canceled the event due to lack of interest. It’s a tough loss because the Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Libertyville winners are community ambassadors and volunteers who are seen at a variety of events.

Worth the Hassell Road hassle:

When Hoffman Estates says Hassell Road, which runs past village hall and behind the Barrington Square shopping center, is being reconstructed, they’re not kidding. But it’s worth it, because the road was in horrible shape.

Another roadwork sigh:

Speaking of road hassles, the reconstruction of Walnut Lane between Golf and Bode roads in Schaumburg is the kind of project you don’t realize will be a problem until it’s happening. This road needed the work, but what a mess.

Summer brain fitness:

Summer reading programs are being promoted by schools and libraries all over the suburbs. To help, we’re passing along a tip from the governor and state school superintendent about a website that lets parents and kids easily search for books that match a child’s reading level and interests. Go to www.lexile.com/findabook.

Waiting for Superman:

It’s great that 566 Sears employees gathered this week dressed as Superman for a world’s record. After last week’s failure in Springfield on pension reform, our state could use a superhero like the Man of Steel to pull us out of this thick mire, figuratively speaking.

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