The Soapbox: Denny Hastert, did we hardly know ye?
Denny, we hardly knew ye?
The indictment of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert of Plano has been stunning, to be sure. A native son and for so long a pride of the Fox Valley, he climbed so high. But now, how steep the fall?
Pet friendliest?:
Can't recall if Naperville, which revels in its awards, has a pet-friendliest designation, but add this to the list of possibilities. Two Bostons Pet Boutique & Gourmet Bakery is hosting the first Pet Wellness Fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at its Springbrook Prairie Pavilion store at 2523 W. 75th St. in Naperville.
Be careful out there:
Although it seems like road construction season never ends in the suburbs and Chicago, it means a timely reminder is always needed. Stay in your lane (even if the lines have been obliterated), obey the speed limit, be courteous to merging traffic, and you'll get there safely. Everyone got it?
Keep pedaling:
Kudos to our biking mayors, Al Larson of Schaumburg and Craig Johnson of Elk Grove Village, who make a point each spring of leading citizens on rides around the community - in hopes they'll catch the bug. Everything looks better from a bicycle.
Disturbing:
The list of wrongful conviction cases in Lake County grew by one this week as charges were dropped against Jason Strong, who spent 15 years in prison for the murder of a Carpentersville woman. That makes six cases since 2010. One wonders how many more Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim, who inherited this problem, will find.
The fight continues:
Officials from the suburbs played a key role not just in working for heroin legislation that passed this week advancing education efforts and the use of the anti-overdose drug Narcan but in demonstrating how well the measures can work. Now, let's keep pushing for more on the prescription abuse that starts so many heroin addictions.
Isn't it a pity?:
So, after a decade-plus of mediocrity, the Bulls finally get a coach worthy of their legacy, and the reason we lose him? Tom Thibodeau won't discuss his decisions with his bosses, and his bosses won't stop trying to get him to talk. Pride, it is said, goeth before the fall. Let's hope it's not the fans who end up taking it.
It's only one word:
Unfortunately, what Aniket Nuthalapati may remember most about the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week is "tristeza," the word that tripped him up in the semifinals. Instead, we prefer to marvel at the hundreds - nay, thousands - of words the Buffalo Grove sixth-grader spelled correctly to reach the national finals. You make us proud, Aniket.
Looking to the future:
We laud Wheeling and Prospect Heights on their joint meeting Monday night on the Chicago Executive Airport study of the airport's future after officials had gone their separate ways in previous separate meetings. We hope all parties will to be open to frank discussion, but also to compromise.
Ice in their veins:
Tonight we'll be glued to our TVs - or our tablets or our smartphones - to cheer on the Blackhawks in Game 7 of the NHL Western Conference finals. It's been a great run, men. So far! Let's take it to the next level!