The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Jack continues to impress
We have to say, Jack Aiello's impressions get better with age. Four years ago, he amazed the country with his Thomas Middle School imitations of the 2016 presidential hopefuls. This year, he returned as a Hersey High School commencement speaker to entertain us all with his versions of the 2020 field of candidates.
Say it ain't Joe
OK, who doesn't love Aiello's precious impression of Bernie Sanders? But perhaps even better is his amazing rendition of Joe Biden. Folks, guess what. Nobody's captured Biden's style better.
Slow down, you move too fast
Is it such a surprise that during this pandemic we have seen more dangerous driving and a spike in crash fatality rates? Not really, considering so many everyday drivers continue to annoy. Riding on bumpers and weaving between lanes, just to sit together at the next red light. What's the hurry? Please be more careful for all concerned.
Where's Schaumburg's town center?
So Amazon indeed is behind the grocery store being built at Roselle and Golf roads. A recreational marijuana shop and other things are going up outside Woodfield Mall. And the village is working on a Meacham Road corridor. Yet, the village can't fill the grocery spot in its "Town Square," at the suburb's original center, Roselle and Schaumburg roads.
Safety trumps money
The National Hockey League has a plan and Major League Baseball has more rancor. Hockey will scrap the rest of the regular season and move right to expanded playoffs, sans fans. MLB and the players union can't agree on financial concessions. It sort of feels like there might not be any baseball. That would be a shame.
As for sympathy
That's for the fans - and the thousands of food and service workers who will be without work. No matter what's decided regarding the NHL and MLB seasons, it's a sure bet none of the owners, managers or players will need help buying groceries.
Lake County adds to trails
Lake County leaders surprised even themselves with how many miles of trails they have, so the Division of Transportation is launching "Explore Lake County," a project most notably to add signage and even kiosks to help people navigate the trails. Lake County for years has been creating a cohesive system, and this is just another impressive step.
Be careful out there
Yes, outdoor dining is back. And hair salons. And shops. But we all must follow the guidelines in terms of social distancing, wearing masks where they are recommended and staying home if we are sick. It is not the time to be careless.
Thinking long term
A million people a year coming to an entertainment complex at Meacham Road and I-90? Stuck here in pandemic mode, that's hard to imagine. But after Schaumburg trustees have given the go-ahead for talks with an Oak Brook-based development company, it gives a little boost of optimism to plan something exciting for when we're out of this.
Remembering Jack Claes
Jack Claes, who died Sunday at age 96, lived a long life and he spent a third of it turning the Elk Grove Park District into the class of the Northwest suburbs. In the process, he inspired park directors elsewhere to play off his ideas. He created a legacy that suburbanites will enjoy for generations.