The Soapbox
Ending well:
The political process makes us all angry at times, but when legislative negotiating works, it can be very satisfying. So it is with a once-weak bill intended to let psychologists prescribe medications. Months of study and debate led to important revisions that improve training, oversight and access issues. Everyone wins, especially patients.
Kudos for cooperation:
The name Schaumburg Township Community Coalition for Positive Youth Development may not win points for brevity, but the group does for its collaborative approach to encouraging teens to avoid destructive behavior. Police, schools, the township and others are using data that will get the facts out to help youth make good decisions.
Superintendent shuffle:
In the latest round of suburban school superintendent musical chairs, Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200's Brian Harris is taking the same job in Barrington Unit District 220. The District 200 board let him exit his five-year contract just one year into it. Considering how long a superintendent search takes, this seems to happen an awful lot.
Keeping up with the times:
The trial of a Highland Park driver who killed a young girl after "huffing" keyboard cleaner highlights that some intoxicating substances aren't specifically covered by statutes. Regardless, Carly Rousso, 19, was convicted. Of course, laws must keep up, but with impaired driving the spirit of the law is as important as the letter.
En route to a new road:
We're glad to see that Plum Grove Road between Higgins and Golf roads, and farther north, is on Schaumburg's road project list this year. The work is in the design phase now, Schaumburg's website says. The road, like too many in the suburban area, is beat up. In fact, other roads around Woodfield Mall could use a little love.
Just a minute, DuPage:
DuPage County usually does a nice job of keeping its decision-making process transparent and above board. Maybe not so much this past week. The board delayed a vote on raises for almost a dozen officials, but only after a candidate objected to the timing of the process.
Not quite transparent:
Jean Kaczmarek, a Democrat running for DuPage County Clerk, suggested insufficient notice was given. "Placing pending raises for elected officials in a thick agenda packet posted the Friday night before a three-day holiday, then voting the following (work) day, doesn't meet my criteria for transparency," she said. We think she has a point.
A valuable gift:
It was Christmas in May this week for Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, which received a $1 million endowment donation from an alumna. Susan Brennan Morrison, Class of 1969, and husband Bob provided the gift in honor of Susan's mother. The money will help fund rigorous academic programs at the Catholic college prep high school for girls.
Protecting schoolchildren:
Lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a proposal to increase access to epinephrine at schools. Currently only school nurses can administer auto-injectors to students suffering from a potentially fatal allergic reaction. If the governor signs the bill, which we encourage to happen, more trained school personnel will be able to assist.