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
Wedding Season: Here’s What Illinois’ Average Wedding Costs
When my wife Amy and I tied the knot in June of 1991, we thought the price tag for a wedding was really high--but what we spent on ours pales in comparison to what today's couples in Illinois will be shelling out before saying "I do."
Illinois’ Best Pie? Yelp Reviews Say That This Pie Is The One
Nearly everyone loves, or at least likes, a good piece of pie. Apple pie may be the favorite of the country as a whole, but a review site took a look at the amount of raves certain pies get here in Illinois, and they determined that one particular (and somewhat unusual) pie is the best in our state.
New Study Asks: Is Illinois Full Of Bad Drivers Or Good Drivers?
I think that it's quite possible that everyone in Illinois who drives a vehicle of some sort has an opinion of the quality (or complete lack of) of their fellow Illinois drivers. The question is whether your perception of Illinois' driving skills is accurate or not.
Dog Lovers: Here’s How Many Dogs Illinois Residents Can Have
Nearly everyone loves pets, and dogs hold a slight edge over cats in total numbers here in Illinois. But, how many canines can you legally have running around in your yard here in Illinois?
Stateline Lawmaker Proposes Lowering Illinois Drinking Age To 18
90th District State Representative John Cabello has introduced a bill in Springfield that would, if signed into law, drop the drinking age in Illinois from our current 21 years of age to 18.
Lesser Known Illinois Burb Makes “100 Best Places To Live” List
If you're shouting "Naperville!" at the top of your lungs, I have to tell you that you're wrong. The only Illinois city to land on the 100 Best Places To Live list really is one of the least mentioned and most easily misspelled Chicago suburbs.
Stay Alert: Illinois’ Bobcat Population Numbers Are Growing
Once a protected species, bobcats have decided that not only do they like to eat rabbits, they like to procreate like them, too. That means better chances for Illinoisans to see them--and stay away from them.
Here’s Why You See Those Black Tubes Across Some Illinois Roads
You might remember something similar being in place at gas stations many years ago. The ones you see on the streets today are for almost the same reason, but if you run over one now, nobody will come out to fill your car with gas, check your oil, and clean your windshield.
150 Years Back, These Were Illinois’ Most Common Jobs
As surprising as it may be, YouTuber , Instagram influencer, and TikTok star weren't among the top choices for Illinoisans looking for employment back in 1870, and "gaining followers" meant that people were literally walking behind you down the street.
Google: These Are The Hardest Words For Illinoisans To Spell
There are certain words that people inevitably have difficulty spelling, but the ones that Illinoisans and other people from around the country are having trouble with are (for the most part) not medical or scientific, but every day conversational words.