The Soapbox: Brief comments from Daily Herald editors on topics of interest to the suburbs.

This week's clippable quote

"You can never forget the past unless you face up to it." - Author Fan Wu

Good riddance to that cloudy month

WGN's Tom Skilling reports that January was Chicago's cloudiest January in the area's recorded weather history, which goes back to 1894. Only 18% of the possible sunlight was recorded, beating the previous record of 20% and far below the average of (believe it or not) 40%. Did you feel all that crabbiness and sleepiness, too?

Good riddance to this billboard saga

It looks like the billboard off Algonquin Road near the northeast entrance to Schaumburg will finally come down. The village's purchase of a one-third-acre site that holds the billboard and an old hot dog stand has closed after decades, yes decades, of village efforts to buy it. With all the drama, that billboard got more looks than it bargained for.

Head of the class

Congrats to Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders who was named the next state superintendent of education Tuesday. Sanders' numerous accomplishments at U-46 include expansion of the dual language program and a dual-credit program with Elgin Community College. We wish him the best in his new role.

Teaching Black history more honestly

Sixty schools across the country tested out a revised AP Black history course aiming to better reflect the realities of the Black experience and highlight laws and public policies that have disadvantaged communities of color. The course was later modified to sidestep topics such as Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations and queer life, but it's a start toward a more honest representation.

Nice review

Congratulations to Balmoral Restaurant in Campton Hills for earning the No. 63 spot on Yelp's top 100 restaurants list in the United States. Only six restaurants from the Chicago area have ever made the list. It's a great accomplishment for a suburban restaurant. Now, who else is in the mood to try some Scottish food?

Tourney time

The postseason is heating up for winter sports teams in the suburbs. Competitive Dance kicked it off last week. Competitive Cheerleading continues this weekend with the finals today. And the action will only pick up as it gets deeper in February. Good luck to everyone competing.

Big job ahead

Robert "Wes" Wheeler comes to the head of the FBI's Chicago field office via Georgia, Texas, Virginia and even Afghanistan. He tactfully avoids declaring a priority for an office with a rich history of fighting scandals and crime, saying only, "There is a lot to do." No argument there. Good luck, chief.

Remembering Bobby Hull

Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull had a complicated off-ice image, including domestic abuse accusations and controversial statements about Adolf Hitler. But professionally he was one of the most charismatic, talented players ever to take the ice. He always made time for fans, staying until the last autograph was signed. Those are memories to treasure.