The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
This week's Clippable Quote
"You got to be bad before you're good." - Ken "Hawk" Harrelson
Who's a good boy?
Welcome, Maverick, the Bartlett police department's new canine ambassador.
A good way to remember
You can honor Helmut Jahn, the world-renowned architect who died in May while bicycling near his St. Charles farm, by learning more about him, and there's a great chance to do that an exhibit of his life's work that opened Friday at the Chicago Architecture Center, architecture.org.
Troubling trend
OK, there were only three COVID-19-related deaths on Friday. But let's not be fooled. Health figures show the state's average new daily cases jumped 80% in the past week. The positivity rate nearly doubled. Overwhelmingly, new cases - and 92% of deaths - involve people who are not vaccinated. We still must stay on our guard.
So long, 'Windy City'
ABC 7 announced this week that the locally produced talk and entertainment show "Windy City Live" will halt production Sept. 3 after a decade. Personable hosts Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini will stay on for a weekend preview version and some specials so - stay tuned.
Small need for speed
Last summer's kids craze is still with us underage riders on mini-motorcycles in the neighborhood. These little bikers are not slow, and it's difficult to know what they will do next. On the sidewalk, then the street, then the sidewalk. Stop sign? No stopping them. Hard to believe these bikes are allowed on the streets.
The Springinsguth Speedway
Speaking of annoying vehicles, summer seems to be the time for drivers of souped-up sports cars, or motorcycles, to gun it on Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg. It's a tempting four-lane thoroughfare on the southwest side of town, but it's really not a drag strip. The loud revving is rude and dangerous.
Getting there in South Elgin
Good news: A tunnel and Fox River Trail connection has been completed under the railroad tracks just north of downtown South Elgin. Quite an undertaking. Bad news: Yes, you technically can ride, run or walk through downtown without crossing a downtown street, but you may have to navigate weeds and plant growth. Just a little more love is needed.
Hazy days of summer
If you were like us, you probably wondered why it's looked like rain all week but it never did. Turns out it was residual effects of the wildfires out west - even if it didn't smell like it.
Good and bad news for mall
Carpentersville and West Dundee officials say they will take steps to spur development at Spring Hill Mall. But that good news was tempered by the announcement that Barnes & Noble will relocate its Spring Hill Mall location to the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center in October. Hopefully, the mall can rebound after the loss of another key tenant.
Best wishes, Bill
Bill Cameron will leave behind half a century of authoritative, insightful and balanced coverage of Chicago politics when he steps down at WLS 890-AM in August. Cameron announced his retirement Friday. Thanks for all you've done, Bill, and best wishes for the future.