The Soapbox: Help for disabled in Carpentersville, consolidating services in Naperville, an honor for Hanover Park and more.

The Daily Herald Editorial Board

Stepping in the breach

Way down a waiting list for a Dundee Township ride service for the disabled, Laura Denton asked Carpentersville for help. The village responded with a $22,000 grant. Now, she and others with disabilities have transportation to life's necessities. Says Village Manager Mark Rooney: "When you see what that tax dollar does to change somebody's life, it's rewarding."

Opioid treatment:

Lake County health officials strengthened the attack on opioid-related abuse by announcing they'll double the number of slots in the county's outpatient treatment center to 200. A federal grant will help fund efforts to help more people break their addiction. Anti-overdose medication saves lives, the long-term key to really address the problem is treatment.

Joining forces to help ...

At a time when government consolidation is all the rage, two Naperville social service agencies are taking similar - and laudable - steps. Starting Friday, Naperville CARES combined forces with Loaves & Fishes Community Services to provide food, cars and emergency financial aid for people in need.

... those in need:

The merger is an example of two agencies finding common ground to provide services more efficiently and cost-effectively. And by joining forces, they're making it easier for people to navigate the sometimes crowded field of nonprofit groups to find the help they need.

Local scout thinks global:

Most prospective Eagle Scouts think and act locally about community projects to tackle. Joey Young of Barrington is thinking globally. collecting old mobile phones for an international organization that repurposes them as listening devices that capture illegal loggers in the Amazon Rainforest. Communities around the world may benefit.

When 'want' and 'need' collide:

Mardell Schumacher made a point to his colleagues on the Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 school board this week that's worth repeating: When building public edifices, it's wise to remember that "want" and "need" are not the same. With any proposal, that distinction must always be part of the discussion.

Congratulations, Hanover Park:

We don't know how many suburbs choose Sister Cities in places like Africa and Mexico - when more glamorous choices in France, Germany and Italy are available - but Hanover Park did, and it's to their credit. The village will accept Sister Cities International's Best Overall Program award later this year. Well deserved.

Oughta be a law..

Convoys of slow-moving heavy trucks, many hauling materials to road construction projects, are clogging up a lot of major suburban roads. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd stay in the same lane, leaving room for other traffic to get by?

Her work carries on:

She retired with eight national championships and the most wins of any Division I basketball coach in history, but the number that impresses many is that every one of Pat Summitt's athletes completed their college degrees. Incredible. And remarkable that two of her biggest stars (Candace Parker of Naperville and Tamika Catchings of Buffalo Grove) hail from here.

Another coaching legend:

Of course, we can't forget irascible Buddy Ryan, who perfected his 46 Defense with the Bears and earned a Super Bowl championship along the way. Still the best team ever. Now it's up to his twins, Stevenson grads Rex and Rob, to build on the family's NFL history. RIP Buddy.

Get to work:

One of our biggest fears about the six-month budget deal cut this week by the governor and General Assembly is that nothing will get done for five months and 29 days. Here's an idea, lawmakers: Get busy finding compromises now and demand your leaders do the same.

Remarkable teamwork:

It was touching to read the story by John Leusch on the support that Maine West girls basketball coach Derril Kipp has been receiving in his battle against pancreatic cancer. It's a good reminder of the reach that coaches and teachers have on the lives of so many others. Thanks, coach.