The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.
No more warnings
And that's just Step 1 of the distracted driving law that went into effect on the first of July. Not put the phone down; keep the phone down. Three moving violations and license suspended. Escalating fines. All steps in the right direction. Will they work? We can only hope.
Walking the walk
Congrats to Carla Schuit, a Lombard dietitian who recently became a food pantry client for a month to determine if it's possible to follow the weight-loss guidelines she develops for her patients on a food-bank-only diet. Her answer It is, with some creativity required. It's a great example of someone walking the walk before talking the talk.
Robert Marshall returns
Robert Marshall, the Burr Ridge physician whose quixotic Democratic campaign for governor last year was highlighted by his call to split Illinois into three or four states, announced this week he's running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. Our question Which substate does he want to represent?
Yes, the women won ...
What's next? What will be the effect on local ball fields and courts? To be sure, there will be more girls playing soccer as well as other sports. But will those girls see more women coaches? In rec sports? In college? In the pros?
Third time's a charm?
An effort to sell Fox Lake's historic Mineola Hotel at auction failed. Then, a second try with a $7 million price tag fizzled. Will a new effort at $5.5 million be just right? The hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once a hangout for mobster Al Capone. Maybe it's a steal for the right buyer.
A thank you to festival volunteers
Can you believe the summer fest season is almost half over? But before the last picnic table is stored, let's say thanks to all festival volunteers. None of these events would be possible if it were not for their time and talents.
Excuse our bit of culture shock
Illinois did not do well in the new Bankrate study on the best states for retirement. And we understand how the state took a few hits for weather, crime and affordability. But ranking 32nd in culture, with our great theater, world-class museums, music? C'mon, that makes no sense.
In lieu of a longer Route 53?
As the tollway backs away and the Lake County Board pulls back on the Route 53 extension in its updated strategic plan, calling instead for a "multimodal" transportation system, we're reminded of former Chairman Aaron Lawlor calling for a greenÂway that would include "a new trail corridor through the center of Lake County." Could it really happen?
Way to go, White Sox
It's under way at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox are becoming the first major league team to extend protective netting to the foul poles. Kudos, too, to the Kane County Cougars who previously extended the netting at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. Now, why can't the MLB get all its teams to follow suit.
Count yourself in
The controversy over a citizenship question has attracted all the Census attention up to now, but with that behind us, it's time to focus on what's really important. Getting counted. The state and our local schools and governments depend on having a full and accurate population count. Make sure you participate.