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
Veterans Day 2024 Is Monday–How Many Vets Does Illinois Have?
If you decided you wanted to shake the hand of every living veteran in the state of Illinois on Monday, Veterans Day 2024, how many hands do you think you'd be shaking?
A New Study Says These Are Illinois’ Very Best Hospitals
There's nothing wrong with wanting to have the best possible care when you're sick or injured, is there? Of course not. If you're an Illinoisan, you should check out this list of Illinois' best 26 hospitals, chosen out of over 700 hospitals across the country.
Drinking In Illinois: Here’s The Most-Ordered Item At The Bar
It doesn't really matter what time of year it is, Illinois drinkers have really developed an affinity for a certain type of alcoholic beverage, and they're ordering it more than anything else. Any guesses?
Got A Buck, Illinois? The $1 Bill You Have May Be Worth Big Money
You've may have seen those stories about a super-lucky someone who had some paper money with a printing mistake that made it worth far more than the face value of the note itself. Well, check your own wallet to see if maybe the star of the story this time is you because there are some really valuable dollar bills floating around out there. Here's what to look for.
Illinois May Change The State Flag, Asks Residents For Designs
The Illinois flag has been updated before, but it's been awhile. Now, the state is asking those of us who live here to submit our ideas and designs for a potential Illinois state flag makeover.
6 Illinois Counties Vote On Splitting From State, Forming New One
This sort of movement is not a new phenomenon in the state of Illinois. As a matter of fact, since 2000, over 25 percent of Illinois' 102 counties have explored seceding to form a new state, or leaving Illinois to join another state like Missouri.
Booze-Free Illinois Town Votes On Ending A 90 Year Liquor Ban
We don't have dry counties in Illinois anymore, even though a few states still do. What we have is a dry village in Vermillion County that's looking to change a law that's been in place for nearly 100 years, and finally allow sales of alcohol. Voters are going to the polls to decide one way or the other.
Federal REAL ID Changes May Push Illinois’ Deadline Back To 2027
If you've lost track of how many times the deadline for REAL ID has been extended here in Illinois and across the nation, it's totally understandable. The drop-dead date to make the switch from your standard Illinois driver's license over to a REAL ID has been changed multiple times due to the pandemic, the post-pandemic, and now it might be changed again because of a federal rule change.
Illinois Has More Of These Big Cats Than You May Have Thought
Just because you've rarely if ever seen one doesn't mean that they're not around. The state of Illinois has 102 counties, and bobcats have been reported in all but three counties. So, how many does Illinois have? The number will probably surprise you.
Warning: Illinois Scammers Are Using Fake Local Phone Numbers
A few years back, it was easier to tell who was calling you. Their name and number (or at least the number) would show up on your caller ID, and you'd have some idea of where they were calling from. Now, a scammer simply changes a few things to make it look like a local number is calling you, or even worse, it'll look like a friend or family member's number.
Illinois On Halloween: Is There A Trick-Or-Treat Age Limit Law?
With Halloween arriving tomorrow, costumes have been purchased or made, candy has been gathered, decorations are up, and the trick-or-treaters are ready to hit the streets, However, there are laws and regulations about hours and times that go along with the Halloween festivities---but does Illinois have an age limit for those going door-to-door looking for treats?
Do You Know About Illinois’ Weird Way Of Taxing Halloween Candy?
If you've been an Illinois resident for any length of time, I'm sure you realize that our state's leaders have never met a tax they didn't like or want to impose upon citizens. That would include a strange bit of logic when it comes to the taxability of Halloween candy.