Saturday Soapbox: A popular O'hare bypass? Has the sky fallen?
After years of arguments and millions spent on litigation, the Illinois Department of Transportation has proposed a western bypass road around O'Hare International Airport that won plaudits from all the communities involved - and had Franklin Park lobbying to get part of the road. Wouldn't it have been nice if everyone could have found so palatable a plan a decade ago?
Sharp-eyed heroes:
Thank goodness for two suburban men who spotted trouble and stepped in to stop it. On Tuesday, Fox Lake snowplow driver Curt Cusker noticed a fire in a garage, awakened the resident, got him outside and called 911. A day later, an unidentified driver stopped and confronted Steven W. Hess, accused of beating his former girlfriend and trying to drag her into his Crystal Lake home.
Not a week to work outside:
Think your job is lousy? How about all those people who had to work outside during this week's big chill? Workers fixing electric and phone lines, or gas lines, or water lines. Or helping drivers get their cars started, or flats fixed. Thanks to all who brave the elements.
Sunny day in Palatine:
Schneider Electric's new solar array showcases renewable energy and it looks pretty cool, too, with a sculptural grouping of silvery grids and a metering display that will show energy generated and CO2 emissions saved. The $9,000-a-year in expected energy savings isn't bad, either.
Cyber plea does the job:
A Grayslake animal shelter showed great compassion when it brought back 18 dogs from a failed Missouri puppy farm, but their good deed put them in a financial pickle. Save-A-Pet board President Karen Rappaport made an urgent request using e-mail and Facebook and got responses from here to New Jersey. The result: $1,800 to prepare dogs for adoption. A fine bit of quick thinking.
Show of faith:
Kudos to the Naperville Park District for working out an agreement that will allow a menorah on the Riverwalk. Last year, we applauded state officials for allowing a variety of displays that included a nativity scene, a menorah and even a pole for Festivus, the fictitious holiday created by "Seinfeld." While each of these might not fit in with everyone's tradition, we like the spirit that promotes tolerance.
When snow and school collide:
Recognizing that sometimes roads are better only a few hours later, Geneva school officials gave themselves the option of a late start, rather than canceling a whole day. It's a win-win for District 304 and working parents - and for students who tend to concentrate better in the winter than in June.
Fun with numbers:
It's amazing what difference a year makes. Today the frenzy is building for the Blackhawks, although they are only 2 points ahead of last year's pace. On the downside, the fan unrest with the Bulls is rising. They are 7-13 after 20 games, just off last year's mark of 9-11. Maybe it's not where they are that worries us, but where they are headed.
Welcome back CP3:
With all the negativity surrounding high profile athletes these days, we shouldn't lose sight of the good deeds many others carry on. Bears coat drives, Bulls food drives and Blackhawks toy drives all have star athletes behind them. This weekend Naperville's Candace Parker returns home to hold a basketball clinic and give something back. Thanks, Candace. We needed that.