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
"If you don't risk anything, you risk even more." - Erica Jong
Time to fall back
Tonight is when we turn our clocks back an hour - and when the complaints begin about how early it gets dark. But we forget we will gain daylight in the morning. If waking up is tough when it's dark, it might be easier Sunday. Or maybe your kids won't have to walk to school or catch a bus before the sun rises. There is an upside of the time change.
But the debate continues
Another clock change, another set of articles everywhere (including the Daily Herald) debating its value and reviewing efforts to eliminate the twice-annual ritual. Will a new standard time - whichever way it goes, the daylight saving way or not - ever be implemented, at the state or federal level? Or will we be writing this again in November 2023?
Too many car crashes
This is only anecdotal, but we reported on a lot of auto crashes this week, some with injuries or even deaths, such as the case of Kane County siblings killed in a rear-end crash. Is it that it's a busy time of year? Is it the increased darkness or even angle of the sun? Analyses will continue, but we urge everyone to take it easy and be careful on the roads.
The best defense is voting
There's much at stake this election. In a numerical sense, that's definitely true. Because of redistricting, every county board, state House and state Senate seat is on the ballot. But with the proliferation of extremists and and battles over the very credibility of our elections, it feels like Tuesday will be a referendum on democracy itself. The only way to preserve it is to vote.
Vote-by-mail coming into mainstream
It is gratifying to see a potentially record-setting number of collar county vote-by-mail ballots being received at county seats in Waukegan, Geneva, Wheaton and Woodstock. It may be indicative of voter interest in the midterms generally this year, but greater acceptance of vote-by-mail also suggests turnout may be increased in future elections.
People still essential to the process
We'd be remiss if we didn't thank all the civic-minded folks who have been serving as election judges at the early voting sites and who will be staffing the polls on Tuesday. They provide such an essential public service, regardless of politics.
And on the politics of our time ...
The husband of the Democratic U.S. speaker of the House is attacked in his home. The Republican candidate for Illinois governor is threatened with murder. Rodney King, victim of a police beating, had a plea 30 years ago we should remember today: "Please, we can, we can get along here. ... We gotta. I mean, we're all stuck here for a while."
Remembering Don Gossett
Don Gossett left his job as Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 superintendent in 1998, but his legacy as a leader and educator is still remembered today. Gossett, 83, died at home Oct. 27 in downstate Eldorado. "All said and done, he left the world a better place," recalled daughter Lindsey Kazian. Our condolences to his family.
Remembering Rosanna Glueckert
Rosanna Glueckert, who along with her husband Jack built the family business Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Heights died this week at 85, five years after Jack's death. She, too, is remembered for her joyful life and long years of service to the community. Our sympathies go out to her family.