Riley O'Neil

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.

Illinois Grocery Tax: Here’s What Cities And Towns Are Paying Now

Illinois' one-percent state grocery tax is set to phase out in January of 2026, which should save all of us some money. How much money? Let's take a look at what some individual cities and towns in Illinois are currently paying out in grocery taxes right now, and hope that Illinois cities don't decide to impose their own grocery taxes like two cities have already done.

Christmas Lights In Illinois: Here’s What It Costs To Run Them

Whether you go all-in on a huge, elaborate Christmas light display at your house, or you just point a sign that says "ditto" at your neighbor's awesome display, you've probably never calculated the costs of running Christmas lights throughout the season...although my dad sure did, and never let us forget it.

Bees In Illinois: Ever Wondered Where They Go When It Gets Cold?

Some things migrate toward the south and warmer weather, other things dig in and hunker down for a long winter's nap, but what happens to Illinois' bees, wasps, and yellow jackets when the weather turns frigid?

America’s Most Expensive Martini Offered By Chicago Joint

Who wouldn't want to sit down for a drink that will cost you as much as some cars would? I'd be totally up for it if I had a very wealthy friend who insisted on paying my bar tab in full.

Payphones In Illinois: Can You Guess How Many We Have Left?

Way back when in the pre-cellphone era, if you were away from home and had to make a call you looked for the nearest payphone...and usually prayed that it would be in working order. Now that payphones are as hard to find as cheap gas, I got to wondering just how many of these relics from the past we still have around in Illinois.

Here’s Why There’s A Truck In A Tree On Highway 43 Outside Beloit

If you've ever found yourself traveling on Route 43 about eight miles outside of Beloit near mile marker 6 and the Clinton exit, you've seen the Truck In The Tree.

“Best 22 Pizza Places In The US” Includes 2 Illinois Pizza Joints

If there's one thing that Illinois and the rest of the country have in common, it's an incredibly large assortment of pizza joints to choose from. A new study says that of all Illinois' pizza places, these two were included in a list of the best 22 pizza joints from across the nation.

Illinois Hospitals: A New Study Names The Top 25 In The State

If you find yourself injured or seriously under the weather, a new study says that these 25 Illinois hospitals are where you should be going to get yourself better.

Illinois Thanksgiving Travelers: The Best/Worst Travel Times

With a record number of people planning to hit the road over Thanksgiving, you're going to have plenty of company as you travel over the river and through the woods to...well...wherever you're going. Here are the best and worst times to back out of your driveway and get started.

Are You Hearing Illinois’ Owls? Here’s Why They’re Loud Lately

It only happens very late at night or very early in the morning, but Illinois' owl populations are being anything but quiet over the last few weeks. Here's why Illinois owls are making themselves heard lately.