Saturday Soapbox
Game over:
He wanted to be governor. He wanted to be attorney general. The only thing DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett doesn't want to be is Lisa Madigan's opponent. Withdrawing only 35 days after announcing, we think this might be the shortest campaign on record.
Who's next?
With so many Republicans lining up in the race for governor, there must be at least one ambitious attorney in the GOP who wants to take on Lisa Madigan for the job as Illinois' top lawyer. We thought lawyers loved a good fight.
It looks bad:
Let us offer some advice to state Sen. Dan Cronin, who hopes to become DuPage County Board chairman. Even if you can defend something as technically OK, it can still leave a stink. You blurred the lines by putting your taxpayer-funded legislative office number on your campaign Web site.
Now that's distracted driving:
In downtown West Dundee this week, we came across a couple trying to figure out how to carry the beverages they just got from the coffee shop on their single motorcycle. No helmets. We saw them drive off; we hope they're OK.
Fixing a bike trail mistake:
We're happy to see that Cook County spruced up a section of the new loop of the Algonquin Road bike trail to solve flooding problems. Workers ripped up the trail and reshaped the land to elevate it, then repaved it. This will certainly make the trail more usable early next spring.
Speaking of repaving trails:
We also noticed Cook County repaved a once-bumpy section of the Poplar Creek bike trail west of Bartlett Road along Shoe Factory Road. The forest preserve is showing some dedication to its trails.
In the homestretch:
You've still got a few more weeks to make the most of festival season. Don't let summer end without taking in the view from the top of the Ferris wheel or listening to a local band. This is how we support community organizations.
Tell us how you really feel:
Polo arrived in Elgin this summer after Oak Brook canceled its season. Paul Pisula of the Dahlwood Polo Club said this a chance to experience the sport in a "non-pretentious setting." Instead of the Sport of Kings, should we call it the Sport of Barons, Lords or Peasants?
For the 364 other nights:
Those who participated in National Night Out got to know more about a neighbor or meet a beat officer. Don't let it stop there. Keep up those contacts. Reach out to more people, even without the umbrella or the organized event. That's what builds strong and safe communities.
Dancing in the streets:
Of course, if you're on Marion Court in Wheaton, you already know your neighbors. The street continues its 40-year-old block party tradition this weekend, which started with a Friday wine tasting. Cheers to those who help carry on a great two-day tradition.
Only green means go:
We weren't even aware there was a National Stop on Red Week. At least not until we heard Buffalo Grove police were using the occasion to crack down on dangerous drivers at Arlington Heights Road and Route 83. Somebody should consider a Slow Down on Yellow Week while they're at it.