Soapbox: Still doesn't get it
Isn't it a sad thing that when an Illinois politician is sent off to serve his prison sentence, as former Gov. George Ryan was this week, there's a ready supply of ex-con politicians available to give him advice. "You can't change things now, so you get on with your life," said Ambrosio Medrano, a disgraced former Chicago alderman. "Corrupt politicians, corrupt police officers, corrupt attorneys are generally looked down upon" by prison administrators. "I assume that it's because we've so-called 'betrayed the public trust.' " There's nothing "so-called" about it. And it's clear Medrano still doesn't get it. May George Ryan be a quicker study.
Killer Kirk to Risky Randall
It used to be Killer Kirk. Now it is Risky Randall that is the most dangerous road to drive in Kane County. In terms of accidents, various intersections along Randall Road rate as nine of the county's top 10 most dangerous intersections, with a Kirk intersection comprising the last. Huntley Road at Randall had the most crashes and crashes with injuries. Just a short distance away, Route 72 at Randall had the most fatal crashes. Which pretty much explains why Sleepy Hollow resident Betty Brewster won't let the newest driver in her household drive on Randall. Would that we all had that choice.
Why not move graduation?
In the suburbs, the idea of having high school graduations in large arenas like the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates is nothing new. So why all the secrecy surrounding a possible move there by St. Charles School District 303? Yes, graduation is typically held at the high school. But if moving it to the Sears Centre means there's now room for Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Joe and Aunt Susie, why not do it? The costs are the same, according to the school board president. Sitting in comfy seats in an 11,000-seat arena doesn't compare to jockeying for bleacher space in the crowded, hot, sticky gyms at St. Charles North and East.
Who loses here?
The Big Ten Network vs. Comcast is getting a lot of attention these days, but in this battle -- like most between two rich and powerful competing interests -- the public is losing. You could look at this one way, that the big cable company is squeezing everyone for more profits. But how about the public universities that comprise most of the conference? Are they planning on dumping some of their profits back to the states -- and taxpayers -- that support them? Maybe there could be a solution: the two parties agree to air the games and taxpayers get some relief in the form of a cut of the network's profits.
Now that we have your attention
A lesson was learned by many when Campton Hills incorporation supporters prevailed last spring: It's important to pay attention to election issues and, most importantly, to vote. Well, guess what -- another election is coming in less than three months. We know several primary battles are set for the Feb. 5 election, and a few referendums are likely to appear as well. So you've been warned. And we don't want to hear the carping later if you failed to vote and didn't like how things turned out.
A visionary idea
Charlie Zine of Aurora is so passionate about building a whitewater park on the Fox River, he's spent the past year telling everyone from fellow kayakers to state leaders about it. His work's starting to pay off, as more people take notice. Aurora has long searched for a way to revitalize its downtown, and this idea, certainly a grand and visionary one, could help do it.