The Soapbox: We like plans for a revamped Spring Hill

Helping Spring Hill:

An agreement is in the works to assist in the $37.8 million expansion of Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee, where a tax-increment-financing district would funnel future tax collections into the project. A similar plan is in the works by Carpentersville for the mall itself. Let's hope this helps the shopping center get back on its feet.

Municipal investment:

When completed, the revamped mall will add a movie theater, an outdoor plaza, outward-facing retail and free-standing restaurant and retail buildings. All told, the TIF would reimburse mall owner Rouse Properties $8.6 million, a fair exchange.

Record-setting experience:

Although they didn't compete, it must have been amazing for three suburban wrestlers to witness Iowa's win vs. Oklahoma State a week ago before a record-setting crowd of 42,287 at Kinnick Stadium. Libertyville's Joey Gunther and Montini's Jake and Vince Turk are on the Hawkeye roster. That's an event they'll never forget.

Libertyville landmark:

Work is underway to renovate the 75-year-old sunken garden wall in Libertyville's Butler Lake Park, thanks to Logan Clark, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate, with help from Mike Graham, a landscaping contractor. Kudos to them both.

Lighting the night:

Visitors to the Morton Arboretum can see trees in a new light beginning this weekend when the outdoor museum in Lisle launches its third annual Illumination, featuring 11 different "experiences." The arboretum is always a sight to behold, but the combo of lighting, video and sound integrated into the landscape truly is special.

Third time the charm:

Teachers in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 rejected two tentative contract proposals before voting to approve a three-year deal. It took a long time, but it's good that the district's 28,000 students finally can rest easy.

What happened to safety first?:

Is Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 putting bad feelings and a relatively small amount of money ahead of student safety? It's a question that ought to be asked, in light of the district's decision to get rid of crossing guards after winter break instead of paying the village of Buffalo Grove for past services.

Football semifinal time:

Several area schools play today for the right to advance to the IHSA state football championship games next weekend. Those schools include Cary-Grove, Glenbard West, Hinsdale South, IC Catholic Prep, Libertyville, Montini, Palatine and Waubonsie Valley. Good luck to all!

Space is not the final frontier:

Or at least not in Palatine District 15. The beloved "space shuttle" that's been outside the school is being shipped to a downstate camp. Does that mean space isn't interesting anymore? Is an Apple Watch bus next?

Get cars off tollway ramps:

We get that there are going to be construction backups, but it can't be safe to have 5 miles of cars at a dead stop an exit ramps. Can't towns ease up on no-right turns on red offramps to ease congestion? (Yes, we're mostly talking about Arlington Heights Road/90.)