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
"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty." - Doris Day
Salute for working on this trail link
Salute to the Lake County Division of Transportation for working on a trail link between the Skokie Valley bike trail and the North Branch Trail at the Chicago Botanic Garden a mile east. Right now riders who want to make the connection must ride along busy Lake-Cook Road and on a bridge over Route 41. It makes sense to create a safer link.
By the way, Lake County
What a website the Lake County Division of Transportation created to collect feedback on how to create that link. The interactive website offers very easy-to-follow information as well as a look at the six proposed solutions. Then it provides a survey for people to take, even welcoming their own proposed solutions. Nice work there.
Good luck at Barrington High
Because Hart Road, a key access road to the Barrington High School parking lot, will be closed for a while for nearby bridge construction, three pickup and drop-off points have been set up at the downtown Metra station, at a church and at an office complex. Then students can take a shuttle to the school. Sounds like a nuisance. We hope it goes OK.
Cops and doughnuts
Each year, suburban police departments perform perhaps one of the best services to the community that's not part of their job description. On Friday, they observed the 20th annual Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser at area Dunkin' locations benefiting Special Olympics. They raised nearly $870,000 statewide in 2021. What a nice way to show how police protect the most vulnerable in our society.
A great role model for girls
If you're looking for someone for your daughter to look up to, look no further than Adriana Demos. Last Sunday, we profiled the 18-year-old from Lake Villa who placed third in her weight class of the IHSA girls state finals, and recently was crowned Miss Teen International. Now, she's founded an organization to end gender disparity in male-dominated vocations.
Not exactly role models - but fun
Suburban communities make history in lots of ways, including on the big screen. This weekend the Bluesmobile - the Mount Prospect squad car made famous in the Blues Brothers movie classic - is a featured attraction along with Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd at a celebration at Old Joliet Prison. Not a mission from God, but it'll do.
Yes, we did it, so here's $4.80
The average household will get a $4.80 credit on the ComEd bill next April as repayment for the utility's bribery scheme. This is part of ComEd's admission of guilt in working with various officials - former House Speaker Michael Madigan is accused - to get favorable legislation, including on rates. So, feel better with five bucks back?
Have gloves ready
If you're like us, you're taking advantage of the cooler weather by cleaning up the yard. Be mindful of the bees and wasps that have set up shop in the dark corners you rarely touch. Best to have some gloves on in case you wake them up.
Changing lives one home at a time
A story published this week served as an excellent reminder of what DuPage Habitat for Humanity is doing to make homeownership a reality for many families. Since 1995, the group has helped more than 100 families get their own homes. And the best part is that the group's important work is far from done.