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The Soapbox

So sad. So young.

We, too, grieve for loss of Ally Bradford and Seth Egger, the Aurora Central Catholic High School students killed when their SUV collided with a semitrailer in a dense fog on the way to a basketball game. And best wishes for a full recovery for the driver, Jared Friedrich, and the three teens who weren't injured but were no doubt shaken to the core

Perspective:

Yet, one of the passengers, Liam Doyle, put the tragedy into perspective, wise beyond his years in relaying what he discussed with a priest. "Father told me to try to be confident and goofy and try to carry on (the memory of) Seth and Ally through that. It won't be the same without Ally laughing in the hall all the time and Seth messing with people."

Expensive win:

It's great to see insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stay in the area, returning to Rolling Meadows after spending the last 24 years in Itasca. But tax incentives could total $35 million. Maybe necessary, but it's hard not to feel companies have the upper hand in these negotiations.

A basketball haven?

While Illinois and Northwestern are not likely to crack the NCAA Tournament field for men's basketball, there are signs the drought won't last forever. Illinois State (21 wins) upset highly ranked Wichita State, and DePaul and Loyola made some gains, while other Division I schools in our state did not. Compared to a few years ago, that's progress.

A basketball birthplace:

While we don't have the best basketball teams in the country, we still raise some of the best players. Lisle is quite proud that Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin is a finalist for college player honors. The last suburban stars to hoist that hardware were Naperville's Candace Parker of Tennessee in 2008 and Buffalo Grove's Tamika Catchings in 2000.

A true blind spot:

Are the regulations regarding window tint on cars in Illinois ever enforced? It can be disarming - and potentially dangerous - not being able to determine whether the driver next to you even knows you're there. Or what their next move might be. Or if there's even anyone behind the wheel.

Sweet treat:

Tapping sap from a sugar maple is part of the cultural heritage of our area. The syrup season is under way, but only for a few short weeks. See how it's done at programs around the suburbs, including the Naper Settlement's Maple Sugaring Days, the Lake County Forest Preserve District's maple syrup hikes, the Schaumburg Sugar Bush Fair, the Spring Valley Nature Center , and Northbrook's maple syrup festival.

Make your voice heard, Arlene

Congratulations to Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene Juracek, who on Friday was elected chairman of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. The noise map has changed over the years, but plenty of people are still being affected, and the suburban voice must stay an important part of the discussion.

Do your part, voters

As the April 7 election approaches, and early voting starts March 23, do yourself a favor and check out a candidates' forum. Meet the people who are volunteering their time to help lead in the suburbs, and see who best represents your views. And remember - you don't have much right to complain later if you don't vote now.

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