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

"At exactly 15 minutes past 8 in the morning, on Aug. 6, 1945, Japanese time, the moment when the atomic bomb flashed over Hiroshima ..." - John Hersey, Hiroshima, Part 1: A Noiseless Flash

Masks are still your friend

As two of us can attest, COVID-19 transmission still is a risk for the fully vaccinated and fully boosted. We'll admit to letting our guard down while traveling overseas. Err on the side of caution and wear a mask in congregate settings.

Hate should have no home here

"Imagine being so fragile, so unwell, so paranoid, narrow-minded and afraid of a pattern of colors that you are compelled to attempt to erase those colors time and time again," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said of the repeated defacement of a fire hydrant resemblomg the Pride flag. Compounding that disgraceful vandalism, someone painted a swastika on a different Geneva hydrant.

All the best, Cooper

We were cheered by the progress this week made by Cooper Roberts, the 8-year-old boy paralyzed from the waist down in the Highland Park shooting. He was transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, ate solid food and was reunited with his beloved dog. He has a long road ahead following a hateful act of violence, but we're all rooting for him.

Fair question on Obama archives

The village of Hoffman Estates is letting the contents of the future Barack Obama Presidential Library stay at a former furniture store on Golf Road for four more years, through 2026. That's as a result of delays and conflicts in Chicago. Some trustees asked if that extension still will be enough. Another fair question might be, will the library ever be built?

Prep sports season is here

One of our favorite days of the year comes Monday with the start of fall sports practices. Each season is its own story and that story starts with the first practice. Memories that will last a lifetime start with that first practice. Good luck to all the athletes competing this fall.

Pay me now or pay me later

The Kane County Board decides next week whether to move its sales tax ballot question to next year. Money is needed for state-mandated justice reforms. The new tax would be collected in July 2023 whether it's approved in November (when all board seats are on the ballot) or next April. Voting sooner leaves more time for budget planning and adjustments.

Speaking of ballot questions

Bensenville Park District officials have scrapped a proposal to carve out a portion of White Pines Golf Club and sell it for redevelopment. Instead, the park district is considering a referendum asking residents to OK a property tax increase to replace the aging White Pines clubhouse. What's unclear is what happens to the land if the ballot measure fails.

Tax holiday extension

It's great that Illinois has a 10-day sales tax holiday, but it would have been more helpful for parents if it fell earlier on the calendar so it's not so close to school starting. By this time, most parents and teachers already have shelled out money on back-to-school supplies. If we really want to help them cut costs, why not a monthlong sales tax holiday in July?

This week's Clippable Warning

"Mankind must destroy anti-humanity before it becomes extinct itself." - John Hersey