Riley O'Neil

Riley O'Neil has logged more hours behind a microphone than any other Rockford radio personality, starting out with his hiring at WROK in February of 1983. He’s also the longest-tenured morning show host in WROK's 100-year history, with 22 years as the host of the WROK Morning Show. He’s a multi award-winning commercial producer, voice-over artist, and much sought after product and service endorser for multiple local businesses. In addition to hosting the WROK Morning Show with Joe Dredge, Riley also writes for 1440WROK.com, covering everything from Illinois' best local restaurants, to some of the wildest and funniest things Illinois residents have gotten themselves into, and everything in-between.

Taking A Selfie While Voting In Illinois: Legal Or Not?

I guess it's one of those questions that many people have never even thought about. The majority of people heading to voting booths here in Illinois and around the country will probably never even think about pulling out their phones to take a shot of themselves and their vote, but for the people who will...here's what you really need to know about the legality of a "ballot selfie."

Illinois’ Fastest Drive Thru: Which Chain Is The Quickest?

As you may have noticed, fast food prices are rivaling, and in some cases topping the prices you'll find at casual sit-down restaurants. So, if price isn't the reason you're in the drive-thru, it's gotta be because you want that fast food fast. A study took a look at who's moving quickly and who's making you wait.

Illinois Grocery Tax: Here’s What Cities And Towns Are Paying Now

Illinois' one-percent state grocery tax is set to phase out in January of 2026, which should save all of us some money. How much money? Let's take a look at what some individual cities and towns in Illinois are currently paying out in grocery taxes right now, and hope that Illinois cities don't decide to impose their own grocery taxes like two cities have already done.

Illinois’ 1st Snowfall Will Probably Happen On This Date

It may seem like winter-like conditions are still pretty far away, but I should remind you that in some years, we've already had our first snowfall in Northern Illinois by now. Well, it hasn't snowed yet...but here's when it more than likely will snow for the first time this season.

Illinois Skunks Are Going To Be Very Active Over The Next Month

Over the next 30 days or so, you and your pets are more likely to get a blast of spray from a skunk that at any other time of the year in Illinois. Here's why Illinois' skunks are going to be out and around...and possibly kind of cranky.

Fall In Illinois: Here’s When To Take Down Hummingbird Feeders

I've always heard that you have to take down hummingbird feeders at the right time or the hummingbirds will stay too long and end up freezing to death in Illinois' frigid weather. Let's take a look to see if that's true or not.

Here’s When Illinois Fall Colors Will Be Best, Say The Experts

One of the biggest joys we get living in this part of the country is knowing that we'll get a spectacular show of colored leaves (most years) before we spend several months with snow shovels and scrapers in our frigid hands. The question always is "when is the absolute best time to get out and enjoy it?" Here's what the leaf experts think.

Illinois Sending Checks To 138K People: How To Tell If You’re One

You're probably wondering what the catch is here, and that's okay---you wouldn't be an adult in Illinois if you didn't. However, there is no catch to this. The money is being sent out for a reason, and you may just be one of the nearly 140,000 Illinoisans who'll be opening an envelope with a money surprise inside.

Driving Barefoot Or With Flip Flops In Illinois: Legal Or Not?

It's probably important to note that the question is "legal or not," rather than "is driving barefoot or in flip flops a good idea or a very bad idea in Illinois, or anywhere else?" The answer to one of those questions is a definite no.

America’s Largest Truckstop Opens In Illinois Next Month

One of Illinois' neighboring states is about to see its title of "Home To America's Largest Truck Stop" get stripped away by a brand new venture in West Dundee, Illinois that's set to open an even larger truckstop on the first of October.

Illinois’ Last One Closed In 2020, Now The Final US Store Closes

You may have thought that this particular discount store (famous for its blue-light specials) was already dead and buried, but it turns out that there was one location that was barely hanging in there after all the other locations had shut their doors forever. Now, that location is closing permanently, too.

Banana Shortage? Here’s Why One May Be Coming To Illinois Stores

There is a very real possibility that Illinois grocery stores could become "banana-free zones" in the very near future because of a potential strike by over 45,000 American dock workers.