The Soapbox
We can see clearly now:
We've applauded DuPage County in the past for the broad access to information its website affords visitors. It's time to do the same for Kane County, whose newly designed site is getting high marks for transparency and proactive disclosure from Virginia-based nonprofit Sunshine Review. The two years the county spent overhauling the site was worth the effort.
NFL pipeline:
There must be something in the water to explain why our suburban football teams weigh so heavily in the NFL draft. Last year the Packers drafted Crystal Lake's Bryan Bulaga (6-5, 314), and this year the Colts drafted Lake Zurich High's Anthony Castonzo (6-7, 308). Wish they'd go easy on our Bears.
Maybe it's the music:
For the second year in a row, an alumnus of Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is one of the top stars of the biggest talent show on television. Wheeling High School grad Haley Reinhart finds herself in the “American Idol” Final Four. No doubt District 214 is hoping for a back-to-back win and proud of Haley's achievement. We all are.
No sticker shock:
Nice note this week on Schaumburg's Atcher Municipal Center message sign: “Vehicle stickers no longer required May 1.” But it's also good to know that the village offers residents a voluntary two-year sticker (for only $1) for those who feel better about having a sticker in the windshield when traveling around the suburbs.
Do-it-yourselfers:
Self-service gas pumps, self-service grocery checkouts, self-service banking . . . now it seems that if you want to avoid “estimated” electrical usage — and the inaccurate bills that come with it — you'll need to read your own ComEd meter. And we wonder why there are fewer jobs.
Best of a bad situation:
Kudos to the Larkin High School coach who pulled the Elgin school's freshman girls soccer team out of a game rather than listen to racial taunts from the sidelines. Kudos to St. Charles East High School coaches for taking the forfeit, which would have normally counted against Larkin. Now, let's focus on avoiding a repeat.
A hit off the field:
While the White Sox bats have been colder than our spring weather (and let's hope May is better on both counts), four players were a big hit at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood this week when they visited with patients and helped put a few stitches in the under-repair National 9/11 Flag. Time well spent.
Don't butcher this decision:
After confusion that led from approval to rejection of a proposed butcher shop, the Aurora City Council will vote again on the proposal next week. We understand the concerns about the slaughter of various animals, but this is being done in an industrial area — and isn't this the time to support local business ventures?
Just asking:
If you had the magic touch and could guarantee a full repair for one year, which of these would you decide to work on: Carlos Boozer's big toe, Derrick Rose's ankle, Jake Peavy's pitching arm, any Cubs pitcher still on the DL, the batting eyes of Carlos Pena and Gordon Beckham, any Jay Cutler ailment?