Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
No act of citizenship
It wasn't too long ago that even large corporations felt a responsibility to the communities near their headquarters. Those days are gone, but it still would have been nice for Sears to give Oak Brook officials a heads up that it's closing its Oakbrook Center store on Sunday.
The power of compromise
The new contract for teachers at Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools provides pay increases in three straight years, but it also requires faculty members to carry larger health insurance deductibles, reduces end-of-career raises and eliminates a lump-sum payment for new retirees. Negotiations took two years and a lot of give-and-take.
Kudos to Lindsay
Running unattached and without a sponsor, Roselle native and Lake Park High School graduate Lindsay Flanagan had a goal to finish in the Top 10 at the Boston Marathon. Goal accomplished. Flanagan finished in ninth place among women competing on April 15. We're guessing the sponsorship offers will now come her way. Nice job, Lindsay.
Moving on
As the Daily Herald gets ready to move two blocks up the road, employees have been purging unwanted items for months. Now, where to donate all that stuff? According to moving.com, here are some ideas: local libraries, the Salvation Army, Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity Restore. It's a win-win for everyone.
Credit where credit is due
We don't know the nature of the "demeaning experiences and inappropriate comments" attributed to former Palatine High School Principal Gary Stieger that caused the decorated educator to abruptly retire on March 27. But we do know that if he or anyone contributes to a hostile work environment, it cannot be tolerated.
Road hazards
Authorities say it could take months before we fully know why a tanker truck spewed anhydrous ammonia into the atmosphere Thursday, sending 37 to the hospitals, seven with critical injuries. We don't need to wait for one lesson of this disaster. Our roads and rails carry lots of dangerous cargo that needs close scrutiny. One mistake can lead to disaster.
More Smollett fallout
Judge Marc Martin asked why Cook County prosecutors were treating Home Depot worker Candace Clark, 21, of Hoffman Estates, differently from wealthy actor Jussie Smollett. Clark was accused of false reporting, similar to the charge Smollett faced. Prosecutors' response: "Each case is different." Yes, money and influence can be a big distinction.
Remembering Paul Miller
Firefighter/paramedic Paul Miller died Thursday after being taken off a ventilator, but before he did, he and his family performed one final act of selflessness. Paul donated several organs "so that multiple other individuals might live," said Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax. Paul proved something good can come out of tragedy. Sign up to be a donor.
Remembering Geraldo and AJ
We join the communities in Wauconda and Crystal Lake mourning the deaths of two children. Geraldo Rodriguez, 9, of Wauconda, drowned last weekend in Bangs Lake. Andrew "AJ" Freund, 5, of Crystal Lake, was reported as missing until his body was found Wednesday. His parents have been charged with his murder. Young lives tragically taken too soon.