The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.

This editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Daily Herald Editorial Board.

This week's Clippable Quote

"The best gifts come from the heart, not the store." - novelist Sarah Dessen

Thanks for the memories, Elk Grove Bowl

The last pin has fallen: After nearly six decades at the corner of Arlington Heights and Higgins roads, Elk Grove Bowl has closed its doors. Eventually, apartments and retail businesses will claim the site, kitty corner from the village's elk pasture. We wish owner Debbie Handler the best in retirement, but it's sad to see another local landmark go.

Kudos to Harper, ECC

Congratulations to Harper College in Palatine and Elgin Community College for being named semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. They are the only two Illinois colleges to make the list this year. Here's hoping they make the final cut and become the first in the state to win the $1 million prize.

Don't envy Metra's scheduling task

Metra is beefing up its service this spring to both meet increasing demand and beef up its balance sheet that's suffered during the pandemic. Many are nearly pleading for trains they used to be able to catch, say, early in the morning, but Metra is struggling with staffing and other problems like freight trains on the lines. We don't envy Metra's task.

Oh yes, then there's working from home

Another problem is that while Metra and mayors of towns along train lines are fielding complaints, the demand for train service is uneven - because working at the office isn't exactly a Monday-through-Friday thing these days. Many still work from home on Mondays and Fridays. Will it stay that way? How do you make a train schedule for that?

So what's an office worker to do?

Yet that leaves suburbanites whose employers in Chicago or other suburbs want them in the office or at a job site more often in a lurch. Should they drive or catch trains with bad timing? Commuting to and from Chicago on the expressways is still not fun. Nobody's winning here. The need for better transit planning is exposed again.

Hats off to Tavish

Libertyville High School senior Tavish Sharma has always taken an interest in feeding homeless people, and he's now bottled that passion in the form of a free mobile app called Solve Hunger Corp that helps to connect users who don't know how to navigate the world of food banks, pantries and soup kitchens get the help they need.

Spotlight on domestic violence

The Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation trial - each accuses the other of defamation and domestic abuse - is in the middle of an expected six weeks. We hope the trial brings to light the importance of support for domestic violence victims. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at (877) 863-6338.

Returning the scary to downtown Elgin

It's never too late to make something right, and that's what the Elgin City Council did this week in reinstating the Nightmare on Chicago Street this Halloween season. Two weeks after the council voted not to have the fest, it changed its decision after the community spoke up. Power to the people.

Doing the right thing

We commend DuPage County Board members for choosing to freeze the salaries of their positions and the board chairmanship for the next term. The members also extended a pay freeze for the sheriff, county clerk, and treasurer through fiscal 2026. With all the economic uncertainty, it's not a good time for elected officials to get raises.

Don't flush those drugs

Cleaning out the medicine cabinet? Don't just flush unused, unwanted or expired medications down the toilet. Kudos to local law enforcement agencies for providing a way to dispose of them safely today during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and every day. Do your bit to protect against the potential harm of improper drug disposal.

Thanks for the memories, Bulls

The Bulls bowed out of the playoffs with a whimper on Wednesday night, but the season was still a huge success. Few people predicted this team would have the best record in the Eastern Conference at mid season. It was all downhill from there, but there is plenty to build on for next season.