The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Scary double take
After so much snow and cold, it was quite pleasant this week to see sunny days and higher temperatures. Getting out and enjoying fresh air and thoughts of spring. But let's not get carried away, like the pair of bicyclists seen riding down a still wet and a bit snowy median strip on a busy four-lane roadway. Dangerous for them, scary for drivers.
One year and counting
We are coming up on the anniversary of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's order banning indoor dining. Restaurants have suffered huge losses during the pandemic, but we applaud them for their creativity and perseverance. Thanks - and better days ahead.
Speaking of better days
Gov. Pritzker said Friday that a daily record 132,000 Illinoisans had been inoculated against COVID-19, and the seven-day average case positivity rate in Illinois dipped to 2.2%, its lowest point ever in a year. Things seem to be moving in the right direction.
Speaking of right direction
Another mass vaccination site opened Friday in Des Plaines. The clinic at 1155 E. Oakton plans to give up to 3,500 shots a day of the Johsnon & Johnson one-dose version of the vaccine. Appointments are required and can be made at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov.
The sale of Arlington Park
The man who built Arlington Park (twice), Dick Duchossois, seems resigned to its sale, saying he just hopes any redevelopment serves the suburbs and Arlington Heights. We, of course, hope so too. But first, let's give thanks to Duchossois, whose single-minded purpose transformed the track into the proud jewel of horse racing.
Good news for Stratford mall
It's been a tough few years for Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. But this week, there was good news when it was reported the former Carson Pirie Scott building is under contract. When the deal is finalized, we look forward to finding out who wants the 147,000-square-foot space and what they plan to do with it.
This week's Clippable Quote
"There is no greater harm than that of time wasted." - Michelangelo
Election angst
While social media can be a great tool for getting information out, it also is a source that can easily mislead. Read with a degree of caution, consult multiple sources, including dailyherald.com/election, and watch out for efforts to turn a minor infraction into a cause célèbre, realizing that we all make mistakes.
Few have done it better
After numerous surgeries and months of rehab, Brent Seabrook at long last takes a page from the common sense handbook and calls it a career. One of the best defensemen in Blackhawks history decided his health going forward is most important. He was a great player and teammate, and the Blackhawks don't raise the Stanley Cup three times without him.