The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
This editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Daily Herald Editorial Board.
This week's Clippable Quote
"Age the way that life makes you age because there's beauty in autumn and winter." - British actress Helen Baxendale
The numbers don't lie
Ten feet always will be taller than 8 feet, 6 inches, the clearance under Long Grove's iconic covered bridge, which on Monday was struck by a truck for the 42nd time since 2020. The smallest box truck you can rent from U-Haul is 10 feet. The bridge has steel reinforcement under the cover. The truck is forever fated to come out on the short end of a crash.
Finally, signs of organization
We're relieved that Des Plaines had a week's notice before 80 Venezuelan asylum-seekers arrived last week. It doesn't change the bigger question of whether Texas pushing legal arrivals to "blue" states is sensible, but providing lead time at least gives immigrants more hope of a good start in the U.S. and towns a chance to prepare for them.
Thank you, teachers
"You really can change the world if you care enough," Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman once said, and teachers are a shining example. Last Wednesday, Oct. 5, was World Teachers' Day; none of us would be where we are without teachers, in school or as life mentors. The date has passed, but it's not too late to thank one today.
Life moves pretty fast
Everyone debates whether the end of cash bail will improve equity or put more violent offenders on the street, but no one seems to talk about the point of cash bail - to provide an incentive to show up in court. We understand fears that after Jan. 1, the courthouses may echo with judges calling, "Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?"
The numbers
But hey, it's only something like 100 of 102 Illinois state's attorneys who question the end of cash bail as outlined in the state's SAFE-T Act. It's not like it's unanimous. Seriously, the idea may be valid, but it's easy to see why some people want more assurance.
Happy 100th!
Congratulations to Mount Prospect's Central Continental Bakery on 100 years in business. This family-owned bakery has been in Mount Prospect for 43 years and persevered through a fire, economic challenges and COVID. Under a fourth generation of family workers, the bakery continues to win over customers. Sweet indeed.
Artists inspire:
When someone vandalized the new mural that brought life to a dark pedestrian underpass in Rolling Meadows, the high school students and city residents who painted it last spring were devastated. But rather than sit back and sulk, they worked to restore the mural to its original state. Their perseverance is as inspiring as their art.
Are kids watching enough TV?
All this controversy about banning books may lead a cynic to wonder, are children spending too much time reading? Seems much safer to keep them in front of the television, where all the material is family friendly and approved by various moral authorities. The written word can provide a dangerous amount of empathy and nuance.
Race on
Good luck to all of the runners taking part in the annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sunday. No matter how race day goes, it's quite an accomplishment just to make it through training and to the start line. We applaud you. Happy racing.