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

“Never give nor take an excuse.” — Florence Nightingale

Freedom from fear

It's been a tough week for the community of Highland Park, but also for communities everywhere living in fear of senseless violence. As a reader posted on Facebook, “You are not free if you are scared for your life doing the mundane — at grocery stores, educational institutions, shopping malls, houses of worship, spas, movie theatres, on the streets, parks and so on.”

Prayers for all

We extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the July 4 mass shooting and our best wishes for those struggling to recover from the physical and emotional wounds of that tragic day. We will keep you in prayers as we continue to press for our elected officials to do far more.

Good advice

Much needed advice this week from Lauren Carr, who was in the lecture hall at Northern Illinois University where a gunman opened fire 14 years ago: Grieve and recover at your own pace, allow others to do the same. “Get over it” is never a constructive response to tragedy.

July 4 “canceled”

The horror of the Highland Park parade shooting obviously reverberated all around the suburbs. Combined with a storm moving through, there was a lockdown feeling all the way out to DuPage and Kane counties, with streets empty. A big Elk Grove Village portable sign read “4th July canceled.” People in forest preserves or yards tried to carry on with gatherings on such a sad day.

COVID still lurking

There was other important news this week, too, of course, not least of which was the announcement Friday that COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached numbers not seen since February. Let's remember the basics — social distancing as much as possible, washing our hands and staying away from others if we don't feel well. No one wants a return to more severe restrictions.

And some good news

There was also news to cheer during the week, like St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin getting ready to show off an elegant new church building for its annual Greek Fest this weekend for the first time since 2019. Events and food offerings will be on hand through Sunday night in a huge new space. Enjoy! But, again, be safe.

Let the Bears go, Chicago

Plans leaked this week that Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is looking at adding a dome and other amenities to Soldier Field to entice the Bears to stay in the city. The Bears say they're not interested. Perhaps Chicago should consider putting the money toward troubled neighborhoods crying out for investment.

Remembering Greg Berk

Wheaton firefighters turned out this week to honor the life of former Fire Chief Greg Berk. Berk, who died in June at the age of 75, was active in expanding training, advanced firefighter associations in the suburbs and set a standard his successors and other fire-service leaders would follow. Our condolences on his loss.

Remembering Sam Hill

Sam Hill, Geneva's Mr. Do Everything, died this week at 86. He was a founding member and involved with the park district foundation for 23 years, an alderman for 12, on the plan commission for 10 and on the park board for eight. He pulled weeds at cemeteries and took church mission trips to help the less fortunate. He was as stellar a human as you will find. We mourn his loss.