The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
Remembering Fritzie Fritzshall
We were deeply saddened by the death of Buffalo Grove's Fritzie Fritzshall. An Auschwitz-Birkenau survivor, she was president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and a prominent Holocaust speaker. "One person can make a difference, she always said," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. "Fritzie was that one person for many people."
Hearing and heeding warnings
The reminder from experts this week that weather sirens may not be audible to people inside houses and buildings drove home the importance of setting smartphones to relay warnings or listen to weather radio. And, then, of course, acting immediately to get to a place of safety.
Words to live by
Another good and strong message on the municipal board outside the Schaumburg fire and police departments "Arrive alive, don't text and drive." Not only is this not-so-subtle reminder always important, but especially now. School's out, people young and old are out. So be safe, not only for you, but for them.
And now, the end is near
The David C. Cook company will demolish the 24,000-square-foot office space at its 120-year-old property at 850 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Finding a buyer or new uses for the building has been unsuccessful since 2006. A water main break in 2017 rotted the inside. Attaining landmark status failed. Despite the historical significance to some, it's time to move on.
Moving the COVID-19 numbers
The infection and death numbers from COVID-19 continue to plunge, but one figure is less encouraging. Inoculations also seem to have reached a plateau. This as the CDC is reporting that now, nearly all deaths from COVID-19 involve people who are not vaccinated. If you haven't gotten the shots yet, do yourself a favor and get them soon.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Have no fear of perfection; you'll never reach it." - Marie Curie
Thank you, athletes
A trying year for prep athletes ended on a positive note last weekend with state tournaments crowning champions in several sports. Win or lose this year, the perseverance you showed in the face of a pandemic makes you a champion.
Clippable Quote II
"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." - Jack Dempsey
Lombard food co-op
Congratulations to Prairie Food Co-op for raising $1 million of the $3.1 million it needs to open a 10,000-square-foot store in downtown Lombard. The prospect of DuPage County getting a cooperatively owned grocery store dedicated to supporting local farmers and producers is exciting. Hopefully, the food co-op can reach its fundraising goal.
When taxing gets easy
The price of gas in Illinois, already about as high as anywhere in the country, goes up with an increase in the gas tax Thursday, thanks to a law that ties the increases to inflation - and gives elected officials cover.
Well-trained teens
A lifeguard at Palatine's Birchwood Pool demonstrated this week how much there is to the job. Seeing a toddler struggling in deep water, the 16-year-old entered the pool, pulled the child out and began CPR, reviving the girl just as paramedics arrived. Pretty impressive work for a teenager. Here's to training and skill on pool decks throughout the suburbs.