The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Who knew?
When you think about art mediums, storm sewer drains probably don't come to mind. But Elgin has put a new twist on public art by having 10 artists paint up to 40 street drains with designs that also raise awareness about stormwater and storm drains. Storm drains now join the list of suburban public art that has included benches and fiberglass cows.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit." - Vince Lombardi
Hot enough for you?
High humidity, heat indexes over 100 and sticky, sweaty everything have been the norm in the past week. Who's over summer and ready for fall? With cooler temps, we can turn off ACs and open windows. Sports practices, packed school buses and outdoor dining will be more tolerable. Sunny and 70 never sounded so good!
Fine feathers and new friends
A rare hummingbird in Mundelein has the birding community aflutter. Jeanna and Jason Cristino welcomed more than 100 birders to their backyard to get a look at the rare Mexican violetear. "We wanted to share the experience with those who would appreciate it," Jason said. What a gracious and generous gesture.
The school mask mandate
To the leaders at Bethany Lutheran School in Naperville, c'mon, follow the mask mandate. Look out for your students. Look out for your faculty. Look out for your community.
For the love of the game
As youth sports ramp up again this fall, a plea to coaches and parents: Please remember that youth sports should be about kids playing the sports they love, not because they're being bribed or cajoled or forced to play. Win or lose - in the end it doesn't matter. What does matter is that kids enjoy learning a sport and the life lessons that go along with it.
Schaumburg's own 'Millennium Park'
It's exciting to see Schaumburg's plan to develop an urban-style park in the Veridian development where Motorola Solutions used to be. It's destined to become a model for other suburbs.
Sharing the success
Elk Grove's Midsummer Classics Concert Series has been a huge hit, drawing tens of thousands of music fans to see nationally known artists. So, we're excited to see the village share the success with its decision this week to hold one of next year's concerts at Elk Grove Rotary Fest. The move could provide a big boost to the fest and the Rotary Club that organizes it.
Good advice
New Trier's Class of 2025 started school this week at an outdoor Welcome Rally, and one speaker had good advice for us all: Find your joy by getting involved.
Remembering Russell Laine
We learned this week of the death of Russell Laine, whose nearly four decades of police service included nearly 30 years as Algonquin police chief. Laine, a decorated Vietnam vet with a law degree who accumulated countless honors over the years, also served in Streamwood, Bartlett and Fox Lake. We are grateful for his service and mourn his loss.
Remembering John Skillman
Village president. Police chief. School board president. Hospital volunteer. High school students' confidant. It is a humbling challenge to consider all the ways John Skillman served Carpentersville. Skillman died this week at age 88. His spirit of service will be missed.