The Soapbox: Brief thoughts from Daily Herald editors on suburban topics of interest
This week's clippable quote
"Posterity! You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it." - John Adams, on creation of the U.S. Constitution, which went into effect 234 years ago today.
Keeping even former Bears happy
Former Chicago Bears lineman Jim Schwantz is a bit leery about the team building a stadium down the street at Arlington Park, and certainly, as mayor of Palatine, he has business and traffic concerns that need to be addressed.
But Schwantz may be kidding himself
At a Palatine Chamber meeting Wednesday, Schwantz suggested the election of a new mayor in Chicago could allow for negotiations to be reopened to keep the Bears in the city.
Maybe, maybe not
At a debate a month ago, Brandon Johnson, elected Tuesday as a finalist in the Chicago mayoral runoff, said vaguely that he's open to negotiations. But the other, Paul Vallas, said: "I think the Arlington deal is too profitable, and I think we blew an opportunity to negotiate with them and we didn't. You can't insult them and then bring them back to the negotiating table."
No relief from negative campaigning
The primary election for Chicago mayor ended at last on Tuesday, but there was no relief from negative campaigning or advertising. Paul Vallas started slinging mud at runoff rival Brandon Johnson literally in his primary victory speech. Johnson gave it only until the next day. Keep that mute button handy for your television. Must elections be this way?
A good deal
Kudos to Libertyville village officials for finally selling the indoor portion of the Libertyville Sports Complex for roughly $3.13 million. The debt payment on the 48-acre facility had been a drain on village finances for far too long.
All developed at last?
The two-story Hopscotch restaurant will be filling the last undeveloped site in Schaumburg's Town Square. Could it be true - all the space in Town Square is spoken for? We still look forward to the Tony's Fresh Market's opening in the grocery spot that's been vacant for years. Maybe the area can be a true town square again.
Not your job description
Last time we checked, "sheriff" is not a legislative position. Note to suburban sheriffs, including Kane County's Ron Hain, who recently lashed out at fellow Democrats who lobbied for a statewide assault weapons ban, your job is to enforce laws, not make them.
Scientific minds
Congratulations to the members of the Naperville North High School science team. They recently won a regional competition and earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C. We wish them the best of luck during the national competition.
Good luck to girls basketball
Geneva, Benet, Hersey and Deerfield girls basketball teams head downstate this weekend for a chance at the state title. All three teams have had remarkable seasons and we wish they could all come home winners. If you can't make it down to Redbird Arena in Normal this weekend, all title games will be broadcast on WCIU.
Head of the class
Congrats as well to three suburban teachers named as state finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching: Lori Ford of Sunny Hill Elementary School in Carpentersville, Brian Horner from Meadow Glens Elementary School in Naperville and Andrea Woods of Big Hollow Elementary School in Ingleside.
Spring is in the air, literally
A sure sign that spring is just around the corner is hearing the loud, bugling call of thousands of Sandhill cranes making their annual migration back north. Earlier this week our Suburban Wildlife Facebook page was flooded with photos and posts about flocks passing overhead. Let's hope it's another sign of an early spring.