The Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.

Fact v. fake

A bill passed out of the Illinois Senate this week that would require high schools to teach students how to understand and evaluate news and social media. One senator's objection: Who gets to decide what news is fake? Sigh. Let's get that class going, and maybe not just for high schoolers.

This week's Clippable Quote

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela (and thanks to reader Mary Stuhr of Addison who passed this one along.)

Best of luck, Grace!

Crystal Lake Central High School grad Grace Kinstler is an "American Idol" finalist, complete with a hometown visit this past week - and people are excited! Support for Grace on social media has been nice to see, as friends, family and strangers come together to offer support and cheer her on leading up to the show's finale Sunday night. We'll be cheering for you too, Grace!

Celebrity grrroomers

Alyssa Kasiba and Justin Dorn didn't win the $100,000 grand prize in ABC TV's "Pooch Perfect" dog grooming competition finale, but the Elgin team has a place on the list of suburban celebrities nonetheless. The creative groomers made it to the final three and got engaged on national TV during a previous episode. Quite a splash for the colorful couple.

A beautfiul honor

Congratulations to winners of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider's annual 10th District Congressional Art Competition Thirty-seven students from 12 schools submitted virtual artwork interpreting the theme "Unity." The top three were Kate Salinas, first, and Kimberly Lagunas, second, both of Waukegan High School, and Ava McQuain, third, of Mundelein High School. Meg McGavic of Glenbrook South earned an honorable mention.

Baseball is back in the 'burbs

Don't want to pay the high ticket prices at Wrigley Field or Guaranteed Rate? Don't want to mess with driving to the city, or crowding onto public transportation? Consider one of the three excellent suburban venues to watch pro baseball. The Kane County Cougars in Geneva, the Chicago Dogs in Rosemont and the Schaumburg Boomers each offer an excellent night out.

Not your face, not your business

Just because vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask in public doesn't mean they can't. Folks who take extra COVID-19 precautions aren't "sheeple." Their masks don't hurt you; it's the unvaccinated people who don't cover their faces who are a public health risk. And accosting someone in a store is simply bad manners.

Vaccines made easy

Kudos to the Will County Health Department for a well-run vaccination clinic at the old Toys R Us in Joliet. The whole process, from initial online registration to the actual clinic itself, was easy, quick and (relatively) painless. There was virtually no wait, despite the steady stream of people coming through to get their shots. Well done!

Keep money flowing to suburbs

Suburban mayors and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle are asking lawmakers to restore the 10% in local funds that Gov. Pritzker proposed cutting in his budget. Unlike the state, municipalities are required by law to balance their budgets, and cutting their funds means fewer local road and other services. Residents need our cities to get that money.

Remembering Corinne Wood

The Barrington native, known fondly as Corky Gieseke in her school days, made her hometown proud by becoming the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor in Illinois. She died way too young, at age 66, this week, a victim of breast cancer. But the trail she blazed will endure always.