The Soapbox: Noise at O'Hare, a rundown state office building, principles wavering in St. Charles and Wauconda, helping hands in Elgin and more.
Not just a lot of noise:
It's understandable how residents would want to know how the new runway at O'Hare will affect the peace and quiet in their neighborhoods. What's not understandable is that nobody can give them an answer.
In the running:
A refurbished high school cross-country course at Heritage Park in Wheeling will be the site for Saturday's Mid-Suburban League cross-country championships. If you're looking for a group of hardworking, humble athletes, it's well worth checking them out.
They just don't build 'em ...
Gov. Bruce Rauner says it's time to sell the James R. Thompson Center, a state government office building that is architecturally distinct but "inefficient." It cost $170 million to build in 1985 and now needs $100 million in repairs. Pretty high numbers for a building that has lasted just 30 years.
Too much pink?
NFL teams, NBA teams, youth teams all sport pink this and that. Too much? No! Breast cancer awareness via the pink movement now has a worldwide platform, and that success has led the way for other color-coded campaigns to raise awareness for their causes, too.
Steampunk Shakespeare?
You don't have to know the alternative history genre to admire the Palatine High School theater department's staging of "Romeo and Juliet." Great way to engage kids in a 400-year-old play and demonstrate how fun it is to think and do art in nontraditional ways.
'Tough' is right:
Cook County Board Finance Chairman John Daley said the budget proposed this week - calling for continued shrinking of government but more and new kinds of taxes is a "tough sell" but necessary. Tough, for sure; it's the "necessary" that has to be sold.
A tribute for Kristy:
Members of the Glenbard South High School Class of 1988 plan to reinstate the Kristy Wesselman Memorial Scholarship in honor of a 15-year-old classmate murdered 30 years ago. Congratulations to everyone involved; it's a fitting tribute.
The price of principle:
St. Charles is losing more than $1.6 million in state tax money. So, aldermen once staunchly opposed to video gambling now support it. In Wauconda, trustees once opposed to outsourcing 911 service have changed their minds. The need for money can do that.
Helping hands in Elgin:
Thieves stole a garden-full of vegetables and equipment last month from the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin. People and organizations stepped up with money, food and an offer of time to rebuild the garden (and add a fence and shed). All is right with the world.
Bleeding Cubbie blue:
News that Vegas oddsmakers have the Chicago Cubs as favorites to win the World Series surely comes as a shock to long-suffering fans. Will they make it all the way this time? We certainly hope so. Go, Cubs! Go!