The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
This week's Clippable Quote
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Day of service
Monday, Jan. 18, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the civil rights leader will be remembered through online tributes and service opportunities and projects around the suburbs. Interested in getting involved in this official day of service? Check dailyherald.com/entlife/20210114/service-opportunities-virtual-events-abound-for-martin-luther-king-jr-day and americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day to see how you can make a difference.
Rush to judgment
There's no disputing that changes are needed governing police behaviors and use of force - even broad structural changes. But Illinois' rushed criminal justice law passed last week and headed for an apparently eager Gov. J.B. Pritzker without much debate and little to no input from police seems to act first and think later. We may pay in the long run.
This falls under 'need to know'
When the head of your public safety department resigns mysteriously, questions should follow. Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said this week he doesn't know why Donald E. Stephens III - his nephew - stepped down abruptly in November and hasn't asked. Shouldn't a mayor know what's going on with his village's top cop, even if he can't discuss it publicly?
Religious rebuke to rioters
Wheaton College is trying to take back symbols of Christianity co-opted by the violent Capitol rioters, who displayed crosses, Bibles and even a "Jesus 2020" banner. Hundreds signed a critical statement, and the welcome rebuke also criticized evangelical leaders who either propagated President Donald Trump's lies about election fraud or were "unduly silent."
High school sports stay on pause
The IHSA board meeting on Wednesday kicked the can down the road yet again, leaving high school sports on pause. But until the IDPH and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office provide more guidance on the return to sports, there's little else the IHSA could do. The board will meet again Jan. 27, at which time the hope is it will set a new calendar for sports to resume.
A new class of 'flying'
Metra has billed itself for years as "the way to really fly" between the suburbs and Chicago. They'll take that to a new level in four years when a $1.8 billion fleet upgrade gets under way. The perks? Better heating and air conditioning, a quieter ride, electrical outlets, better on-time performance. Oh, and don't forget the cupholders.
Onward and upward
A spate of new leaders announced this week: The first new director at Barrington Area Council of Governments in 20 years (Kimberly Beattie Saunders), a new president at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights (the Rev. Dan Lydon), a new superintendent at Barrington Area Unit District 220 (Robert Hunt). Welcome and best wishes to all.
Remembering Grant Blaney
Buffalo Grove High School lost a sports legend this week when the man who coached the school's football team to its only state championship died. Grant Blaney was BG's first football coach, led the team to the 1986 state championship and is the namesake for the school's football stadium. Legendary indeed.