The Soapbox: Better biking in Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, a welcome addition in Libertyville and more.

Better biking co-op

Good work by Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows on joining forces to build a three-quarter-mile bike path connecting the heavily used Busse Woods bike paths and Golf Road offices to shops and restaurants near Woodfield Shopping Center. We like to see cooperative efforts, and this one stands to benefit both towns, as well as bicyclists.

Overlooking the stigma

The prospect of a medical marijuana dispensary coming to town naturally raises concerns. It was refreshing to see Algonquin leaders give thoughtful consideration to one planned on Main Street. "I would certainly hope the stigma of the word 'marijuana' is overlooked for the benefit that this provides," Village President John Schmitt said.

Welcome addition

If you've been to downtown Libertyville in recent years, you know the area is flush with restaurants, bars and shops. You've probably also noticed parking has been at a premium. To help ease the crunch, the village last week opened its new $8.4 million multi-story parking deck that provides 290 spaces now and another 27 in a few weeks. Ah, relief.

Isn't it nice?

Hey. Isn't it nice that we have the Windy City Bulls in Hoffman Estates to add to the suburban entertainment and sports mix? And without all the drama that that team on Madison seems to exude.

Worthy honor

Congratulations to Dave Johnson, the 44-year veteran of the Schaumburg park board named Commissioner of the Year by the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. The association's executive director said Johnson's "advocacy for creating recreation opportunities in Schaumburg will be his legacy." Nice to see it recognized.

Hoops perspective

Congrats to Northwestern's men's basketball team for ending its 40-year road losing streak at Ohio State. Next up is getting its first winning record in the Big Ten since 1968. After that is making the NCAA Tournament and ending a 77-year drought. While making the tourney won't be as big as the Cubs winning the World Series, it's still huge.

Supporting Paulina

Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin will hold a #pcstrong Night Friday, Feb. 3, in support of Paulina Castro, an HCA graduate and Northern Illinois University basketball player. Castro, 19, been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Proceeds go to the Pediatric Cancer Research Center at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

Bloomingdale's top cop steps up

When one of his officers, 27-year-old Raymond Murrell, was killed in a one-car crash late last week, Bloomingdale police Chief Frank Giammarese was an eloquent spokesman for a department in mourning. He honored not only the memory of his officer, but all the men and women who serve and protect in Bloomingdale.

Remembering Raymond Murrell

And to the family of officer Raymond Murrell, and all the police who served with him, we stand and quietly salute him along with all those who honored his memory this week.