Soapbox: Take a bow if you know what the state microbe is
Tiny thing, big role
You probably know the cardinal is the official state bird. You might even know the state fish is the bluegill. But how about the state microbe? A new law says it's penicillium rubens, the strain discovered in a Peoria cantaloupe. It's truly a lifesaver. Thanks, little guy.
They lessen the suffering
In a week when so many in the world were deeply suffering, we are grateful to those in the suburbs who reach out with disaster assistance to Haiti and refugee aid to those fleeing Afghanistan. It turns out there still are many people who work for the good of others.
Still worth a shot
The messaging for vaccinations carries on. Even on our roads, where we spotted an overhead highway sign that read "Let's kick COVID to the curb. Get vaccinated." Let's call that driving the point home.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Teachers affect eternity. No one can tell where their influence stops." - historian Henry Brooks Adams
New Palatine Road rolling along:
Like a lot of suburban roads, a nearly 5-mile stretch of Palatine Road from Route 62 in Barrington Hills east to Roselle Road has been carved up for a total repaving. The work has been moving along, with new asphalt now in place east to Hoffman Estates around the Paul Douglas forest preserve. Watch out for the final work on the busier section.
Not again in Algonquin
Intermittent daytime lane closures have begun on Route 62 through downtown Algonquin for cleaning and painting of the bridge over the Fox River. It's a scary prospect, as going down to one lane in the same spot over much of last year for a downtown project created traffic nightmares. Hopefully all lanes will be open at rush hour this time?
Yep, the tornado sirens are working:
The storms last week brought havoc to some parts of the suburbs and maybe just inconveniences to others. But a lot of tornado sirens got a workout. Schaumburg officials ran them no fewer than four times during the Monday storms. Did it become a cry-wolf scenario? Perhaps - Schaumburg didn't get hit with much - but you never do know.
Sharing space in Downers Grove
Downers Grove Elementary District 58 is in talks with the village of Downers Grove about relocating its administrative offices within a proposed police and village hall facility. Having multiple taxing bodies share the same building is a great idea. After all, they serve the same taxpayers.
More improvements in Lake Zurich:
The grass around the picnic tables outside the Sunset Pavilion at Breezewald Park in Lake Zurich struggles to grow, village staffers and the pavilion operator admit, because of all the foot traffic. So let's just expand the patio and make a fire pit, the operator says. Village leaders agree, and yet another improvement to the attractive lakefront will be coming.
Kudos to St. Viator
With the high school football season kicking off next Friday night, St. Viator High School should be commended for deciding against traveling to Kenosha for its Week 1 game, in accordance with Cook County's health guidelines. Here's hoping the Lions can find an opponent in Illinois.
Remembering Ella French
A native of the suburbs, a graduate of Downers Grove North, a police officer in the city. She served to protect.