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.
Riley O'Neil
Danger: Illinois’ Amorous Deer Are Out On The Roads Again
We've all seen amorous humans do some really stupid things in the interests of romance, but it's rare that you see human speed-dating get ruined by a fast-moving pickup truck. That's not the case with Illinois' population of white-tailed deer, who will be looking for love in all the wrong places from now through December.
Illinois Is Currently Covered In Swarms Of Ladybugs–Here’s Why
If you've spent any amount of time outdoors recently, there's every chance that you've encountered anywhere from a few to a few hundred ladybugs swarming around. They're harmless, but it's pretty difficult to avoid having them land on you or your pets for a ride inside your house. So, why so many ladybugs right now?
Here’s How Old Illinois Kids Have To Be To Be Left Home Alone
All kids are different, and so are the states that they live in when it comes to the age that it's okay to leave a kid home by themselves. Here in Illinois...well, let's put it this way: Kevin McAllister's parents in the movie Home Alone would probably be in an Illinois jail for leaving him behind when they went to Paris.
Illinois Is Getting Digital Licenses: Here’s How It All Works
The state of Illinois is planning to join about a dozen other states in offering residents the option of having a digital driver's license or digital ID. Here's when it will happen, how it works, and what you'll need to do to get one if you're interested.
Leaving Illinois? You’ll Probably Move To 1 Of These 3 Places
We may not be leading the nation right now in "outbound migration," but Illinois is still losing population to other states. These 3 take most of Illinois' departing residents.
Illinois Fast Food Lovers: Here’s What It’s Costing You Per Year
Sure, everything has gotten a lot more expensive over the last 4 years, but the climbing-ever-higher price-point on fast food has really gotten the attention of many people. Let's take a look at what the average Illinois fast food consumer spends on fast food over the course of a given year.
Warming Up Your Car In Illinois: Legal Or Illegal?
No one enjoys hopping into a frigid vehicle on a cold morning, so a lot of people here in Illinois and throughout other cold-weather states choose to warm up their cars first. It makes for a nicer and more comfortable commute, but is doing that legal or illegal here in Illinois?
Illinois’ Stink Bugs Are Back: What You Don’t Know About Them
If you've spent any amount of time in Illinois, you are undoubtedly familiar with those brown bugs that show up every year around this time, looking to get into your house. Here's something that maybe you didn't know: Illinois has not just one, but 11 different types of stink bugs.
Illinois Is A Dog State, But…How Many Can You Legally Have?
My daughter Molly, a true dog-lover if ever there were one, recently told me that her ideal home would have lots and lots and lots of dogs running around. When I asked what lots and lots and lots meant, she replied "whatever the legal limit is." Since I had no idea about legal limits on dogs, I decided to check into it.
Here’s What Would Happen If Illinois Stopped Changing Clocks
Nearly everyone hates changing clocks twice a year from "Spring Forward" to "Fall Back." It's a pain, it affects our health, and there's really no good reason to keep doing it other than "that's the way we've always done it." Here's how it would be different if Illinois said "enough" and stopped doing it every year.