Cook Co. soap box
South Siders bring soul to suburbs
Gospel choir Soul Children of Chicago, led by fired-up director Walt Whitman, highlighted a rousing celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King this week. Kudos to the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, led by Arlington Heights resident Rev. Clyde Brooks, for putting together the seventh annual dinner, which drew hundreds to the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg.
Just another number
In case you missed it, First United Methodist Church in Des Plaines has a new address, 668 Graceland St. in Des Plaines. The reason this is mildly interesting is because of what the address used to be, which was 666. It's been 666 for more than 50 years, so did the church change its address because it was uncomfortable with how popular culture relates "666" to the idea of Satan? Nah, they finally got tired of having too much mail misdirected to buildings with similar addresses. Here's hoping they get their mail.
Danger not far away
We Midwesterners can talk all we want about the benefits of living in an area where natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes won't strike. But the terror of tornadoes hit home to some McHenry County residents this week. The twisters destroyed buildings, homes and barns, toppled trees and knocked railroad cars off the tracks before moving into Wisconsin. It's a reminder to all of us to pay attention to this type of severe weather and know what to do when it hits. Even in the middle of winter.
Sports alternative in the backyard
Are you a Chicago professional sports fan? Is your frustration level boiling over? Now is the time to follow your local high school or youth sports team. Nothing against the pros, per se, but with the Blackhawks and Bulls following the Bears' frustrating season with inconsistent ones of their own, and with major state-based college basketball teams having a tough year, you need a break. Cheer for kids you may or may not know who are playing for the love of the game. A game … that's what it is, right?
Don't compound the mistake
Quick thinking in the Ela Township and Lake County Clerk's office saved a valid referendum question from being left off the Feb. 5 ballot. The question, which involves garbage collection in unincorporated areas, was properly certified, but somebody at the township dropped it off in the wrong place in the clerk's office. When the omission was discovered it was too late to put the question on the optical scan ballots. Instead, 3,737 Ela Township voters will get a separate pink ballot to mark for the referendum question. Now, officials must work to see that residents have adequate warning, information and understanding about the pink ballot and the issue it carries.
A public servant with strength
In today's rough-and-tumble world of politics, it's easy to be a pessimist about public life. This week's story about the passing of former state Sen. Gene Hoffman, reminds us of a great leader. He taught for 30 years at Fenton High School, and in his early years as an Illinois lawmaker spoke openly against housing discrimination in DuPage County, then a controversial topic. "You can't legislate away prejudice, but you can legislate away discrimination," he said in 1966. When he lost re-election to Dan Cronin, the 24-year lawmaker told the rookie to disagree without being disagreeable, and above all else, to accomplish something. His family said he died a champion of education. We think he was also a champion of the people.