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

This editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Daily Herald Editorial Board.

This week's Clippable Quote

"You will find the key to success under the alarm clock." - Benjamin Franklin

We want our congressional seat back

Who do we talk to about getting Illinois's 18th congressional seat restored? Apparently, no one. The Census Bureau's post-enumeration survey says Illinois was likely undercounted by roughly 250,000 in the 2020 census - enough to push the state's true population over 13 million. It's too late to get back the seat we lost, but it can reshape thinking about the state.

Social media to the rescue

Imagine not being able to feed your new baby. This prospect faces parents of newborns amid a nationwide formula shortage. But kindhearted neighbors, strangers and fellow parents are sharing in-stock formula sightings at local stores and online. People are offering to give away extra formula rather than sell it. How nice to see unity on social media instead of division.

While we're on the subject ...

Don't assume it's easy - or free - to breastfeed. New parents have pediatricians to advise them on what's best for their babies. They don't need to read criticism from self-styled "lactation experts" - especially those who've never had a baby - on Facebook.

COVID care

No one wants to see a return to the days of mask mandates and quarantines, so let's keep the new surges in cases and, most worrisome, hospitalizations remind us we still have to be careful. If we all just take a little care in large groups and around vulnerable people, hopefully we can keep the past behind us.

Don't be fooled

There's really only one way to definitely protect yourself against telephone scams - be skeptical of all phone contacts that appeal to your emotions to seek your banking information. A Lake County resident almost lost $20,000 recently, but thankfully, with the help of police, grew skeptical in time to stave off disaster. Victims are rarely so lucky.

Ghost-gun busters

If for whatever reason you want to make yourself a gun with a 3-D printer, the government won't stop you - but in Illinois, at least now you'll have to get a serial number so the weapon can be traced if used in a crime. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed that requirement into law this week. He called it "one piece of a larger strategy." It's definitely a step in the right direction.

Summer Fun

Looking forward to summer and all of the fun outdoor events that come with it? We are, too, which is why we've put together our annual Summer Fun guide that prints Sunday. In it you'll find lists of festivals, fairs, parades, fireworks, carnivals, car shows, concerts and much more that are slated from now through Labor Day. Happy planning!

And you can start today

Get your fix of chocolate, strawberries, music and more with the Long Grove Chocolate Festival, which kicked off Friday and runs through Sunday. Events begin at 10 a.m. today and tomorrow. Yum!