I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised right here in the Rock River Valley, a place that my family and my wife Amy's family have called home for generations. I was first hired at WROK in 1983, and except for a short departure, I've spent my entire career right here in Rockford. Halloween of 2019 will mark my 18th anniversary of hosting the WROK Morning Show, making me the longest-serving morning show host in the station's nearly 100-year history. Amy and I have been happily married for 28 years, with two (now grown) children, Spencer (who does voice-overs for audio books and commercial voice-over work, too), and Molly (a graduate of Rock Valley College who also dazzles with service at a popular local restaurant). I'm luckier than I ever thought possible. When I'm not here at the station, I can usually be found at one of Rockford's many great, local events, either as host/master of ceremonies, or as an attendee. If we should meet, feel free to buy me 1 to 7 drinks.
Riley O'Neil
$1.3 Billion: Why Hasn’t Illinois’ Jackpot Winner Come Forward?
A little over a month ago, $1.33 billion, the third-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, was won by someone who purchased their Mega Millions ticket right here in Illinois at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines. When you look at that kind of money, you wonder why the winner has not announced themselves to lottery officials yet.
Have You Filed? Illinois’ Google Lawsuit Deadline Is Coming Up
There's been quite a bit of lawsuit activity involving big tech companies and their dealings in Illinois over the last couple of years, mainly having to do with these companies ignoring the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
200 Illinois Skydivers Are Trying To Set A World Record This Week
As of this writing (Thursday morning, 9:30), two hundred skydivers are still trying to set the World’s Largest Vertical Formation record at Skydive Chicago that they began trying to set earlier in the week. Considering what they're attempting, I can understand why it hasn't happened yet.
Off The Beaten Path: Site Names Illinois’ Most Beautiful Backroads
This is something that my late father-in-law Marty knew a lot about. According to my wife and her brothers, their dad knew every single worthwhile backroad in the entire state. He knew them all because it was his life-long habit to avoid paying tolls using whatever legal means necessary.
Wisconsin Restaurant’s Menu Is Built On Just One Comfort Food
When you think of comfort food or foods, what's the first thing that pops to mind? If ever there were a question that has absolutely no wrong answer, it's the comfort food question.
Horrifying Illinois: How Starved Rock State Park Got Its Name
When you've lived in a state for your entire life, it's sometimes jarring to find out something about its history that you had absolutely no idea about.
BBB Warns Of “DeepFake” Scams Using Phony Video
I don't know how much you may or may not know about DeepFake technology, but as time marches on, I'm fairly certain that you'll be hearing more and more about it, and the potential for serious damage that the tech represents.
Midwest Man Is Suing Bass Pro Over Lifetime Sock Warranty
It's nice to know that in a world where there's really nothing interesting happening that would require the attention of the American people, you've got a sock-less David going after Goliath's sock-replacement promises.
Man Claims To Have Photos Of Bigfoot Running Around Iowa
It seems as though we just can't get away from Bigfoot. It wasn't all that long ago that I read of a Bigfoot and Bigfoot baby possibly being filmed in Michigan. Another piece had Bigfoot indulging a love for cheese in Wisconsin.
Man Biking All 50 States Gets His Butt Chomped By Illinois Dog
Throughout the state of Illinois today, several people are going to call their dog a "big pain in the ass," but only one of those people is going to be literally and provably correct.
Scientists Say Midwestern Cow-Tipping Is Complete B.S.
A friend of mine, an east-coast city slicker type, has frequently suggested to me that I "go tip over a cow, or whatever it is you people do for fun."
Tons Of Ground Beef (Some Sold In Illinois) Recalled For E. coli
Another week, another large recall. This time, it's for something that just happens to be a staple ingredient in many people's kitchens, and right about the time a lot of folks are looking to fire up their backyard grills.