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
Naperville’s Really Weird World Record Was Just Broken
It took 12 years for someone to do it, but Naperville's strange world record for the amount of people willing to show up and completely reverse the order of how a normal person gets dressed has finally fallen to an out-of-state competitor.
Weather Channel Says Early Spring, Warmer Temps For Illinois
If you've lived in Illinois long enough, you're probably really enjoying the mild February temperatures...and you keep wondering when winter will remember it's still winter and hit us with more cold and ice. It turns out that being optimistic that spring is starting early isn't such a bad idea after all, because it looks like it will.
Check Out These Illinois Animals On The Endangered Species List
There are far more endangered and threatened animal species in Illinois than I have space to write about, but here are a few you may have heard of, and maybe a couple of animals you didn't even know were living in Illinois.
Illinois Shelter: Name A Litterbox After Your Ex For Valentine’s!
Why take the high road and forget all about that failed romance when you can name a litterbox or a cockroach after the person who broke your heart? Why indeed.
Midwest Woman Steals Amish Horse And Buggy From Walmart Lot
There are weird crimes taking place every hour of every day, but swiping an Amish horse and buggy out of a Walmart parking lot may have won the prize for the weirdest crime in the nation last Saturday.
How Illinois Heating Bills Compare To Other States (Not Good)
We're fresh off of a lengthy period of sub-zero weather, and I'm fairly sure that you used your furnace during that time period. We all know the bills are coming, but how do the heating bills we get in Illinois compare with the other states? As you might imagine, it's not a good comparison.
Should You Put A Coat On Your Dog In Illinois’ Frigid Weather?
I've seen plenty of Northern Illinois dogs wearing coats, sweaters, and boots lately, so I thought I would do some digging to see if outerwear for Illinois' dogs is really necessary during this incredibly cold weather.
Why Don’t Illinois Squirrels Freeze To Death In This Weather?
As we continue to deal with temperatures that are well below zero, I've noticed that seemingly every other living creature is keeping a very low profile except for Illinois' squirrels. They're running around everywhere, and don't seem to be affected by the brutal cold at all. So, why aren't they freezing to death?
Weather Questions: How Safe Is It To Eat Illinois Snow?
Based upon personal experience and observation (in other words, I've done it and seen others do it, too), it's fairly certain that you won't die from eating Illinois snow...at least not immediately. But, are you running a health risk by chowing on some of that snow that we have in abundance here in Northern Illinois?
TSA: Here’s How Many Guns We Found Last Year At Chicago Airports
There are legal ways for you to travel with a firearm, but unfortunately too many people seem to think that they can just toss a gun in their bag and make it through security at the airport. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) would like you to know that you're going to get caught.