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
When People Leave Illinois, They Go Mostly To These 3 States
We've been hearing for years about something called "Outbound Migration" here in Illinois, which is a fancy way of saying "kissing a state goodbye." Illinois may no longer be the state leading the nation in outbound migration, but we're near the top. Ever think about where you'd move if you left Illinois?
7 Illinois High Schools Named Among Best 50 In The United States
Having seven high schools ranked in the top 50 high schools in the entire country is pretty cool, but in order to send your kid to one of Illinois' top ranked high schools, you might have to call a realtor and moving company.
Fire Danger: 1000s Of Electric Blankets Sold In Illinois Recalled
If we were living somewhere in the southern part of the country where keeping warm during sub-zero nights isn't really a thing, this wouldn't be as newsworthy as it is here in the Midwest where plenty of people add an electric blanket or heated throw to their bed or couch from November through March.
Here’s Every Illinois Joint Featured On Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives
I just read about a guy who's planning a cross-country road trip to visit every place that Guy Fieri has featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. He's planning on hitting every single restaurant in every single state over the course of a year or so in order to accomplish this "bucket list" item. Here's how many Illinois Triple-D restaurants he'll be stopping in to see.
Here’s How Much Snow Northern Illinois Might Get This Winter
One thing is guaranteed about winter in Northern Illinois, and that's snow (cold, too now that I think about it). Some years it comes heavy, other years not so much. Read on to see how much you'll be needing to grab your shovel in the next few months.
Illinois Gets A Good Look At Two Meteor Showers In December
Sometimes weather just doesn't cooperate when you want to stand outside at night at catch a really cool meteor shower taking place overhead, and you miss it. Well, in December you'll have not one, but two different opportunities to see the last meteor showers of 2023, so the weather odds are good you'll get a peek yourself.
Cantaloupes Sold In Illinois Being Recalled Over Salmonella Fears
These recalled cantaloupes, sold in Illinois and 9 other states and Canada, may have also reached other states, too. Make sure to check your fridge, because salmonella isn't something to play around with.
Wisconsin May Become The 1st State With An Official Cocktail
If you've ever spent some time elbow-bending north of the border in Wisconsin, chances are you've had one of these cocktails...or someone tried to talk you into it.
Illinois Chicken Recall: 30,000 Pounds May Have Metal Pieces
The Tyson chicken recall isn't something that every state in the U.S. is having to deal with, but we certainly are here in Illinois, along with Wisconsin, Alabama, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. Time to check the freezer.
Weird Cheese Laws? Wisconsin Has Got Plenty Of Them
Not that our state, which has laws against mispronouncing Joliet as Jolly-ette, or giving dogs a cigar has anything to look down its nose at, but our friends behind the cheddar curtain have some interesting ideas about cheese legalities and other things.