The Soapbox
Get the giving spirit:
In coming weeks, you'll read plenty of stories about various acts of giving, from schoolchildren delivering canned food to Toys for Tots collections. You can be part of that holiday giving - donate a toy, write a check, drop a few bucks in a Salvation Army kettle. It will put you in the holiday spirit.
A high honor:
How nice it was to see President Obama giving the Presidential Medal of Honor to Illinois' own Abner Mikva, the five-term congressman from the 10th District who also was White House Counsel for Bill Clinton and served as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. He served us proudly.
Ten years too long:
Rolling Meadows saw its business vacancy rate go from 9.5 percent in 2013 to its current 13.5. The genesis of this decline, though, goes back to 2004, when Dominick's left the once-vibrant strip mall on Kirchoff Road at the heart of city. Over time, surrounding shops followed. The genesis of business rebirth rests in the fate of this property.
Stay tuned on pensions:
A circuit judge tossed out the state pension overhaul, but so far credit houses have taken no action against Illinois. Certainly a relief, but we're holding our breath. The attorney general's office is appealing, and a Supreme Court ruling could come as early as January.
Dogged determination:
When Bane, Des Plaines' police dog, first hit the streets, he showed he was serious about his new job. Within days he helped recover $30,000 in drug seizure funds. That's definitely earning one's keep.
Wait 'til next year?:
OK, we admit it. We had hopes Jay Cutler and crew would pull off a Thanksgiving Day surprise against the Detroit Lions. Now, we're just sad that with four games still left in this season, all we want to think about is the next one.
Etiquette gone wrong:
Perhaps a drug buyer was only being polite. But a handwritten note that said "Thank you for my drugs" became part of the evidence that led to possession charges for a North Aurora man who had been suspected of dealing, according to Kane County police. In the world of crime, niceties don't always turn out so nice.
Outsourcing ... strategic plans?
Amid news that Elgin Area School District U-46 will wait to hire a superintendent until after the April elections is word that U-46 is hiring a firm for $175,000 to create the district's next strategic plan. Does the district not have enough administrators (including a CEO) to do that?
High-class holidays:
Leslie Warmbus of St. Charles will no doubt be joining thousands of suburban residents who festoon their homes with lights and seasonal displays, but she has an added assignment. Warmbus was selected to work with 84 other volunteers to decorate the White House for the holidays. Check out her handiwork on HGTV on Dec. 14 and 15.
The hometown component:
It's a challenge anymore to keep up with all the names for commercial events kicking off the holiday season, but today's - Small Business Saturday - is one to remember. As you join the weekend buying frenzy, be sure to check out what your local businesses have to offer. Money spent close to home stays in our communities.