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.

Fall In Illinois: Here’s When To Take Down Hummingbird Feeders

I've always heard that you have to take down hummingbird feeders at the right time or the hummingbirds will stay too long and end up freezing to death in Illinois' frigid weather. Let's take a look to see if that's true or not.

Don’t Answer! Illinoisans, Avoid Calls From These Area Codes

Having a phone with you at all times is such a convenience in today's world...until it isn't. Always being connected means that anyone can reach out to you at anytime, which is not such a good thing when so many scammers are out there looking to take your money or identification. If you see a call coming in from one of these area codes, do not answer it. Here's why.

Illinois Skunks Are Going To Be Very Active Over The Next Month

Over the next 30 days or so, you and your pets are more likely to get a blast of spray from a skunk that at any other time of the year in Illinois. Here's why Illinois' skunks are going to be out and around...and possibly kind of cranky.

Here’s When Illinois Fall Colors Will Be Best, Say The Experts

One of the biggest joys we get living in this part of the country is knowing that we'll get a spectacular show of colored leaves (most years) before we spend several months with snow shovels and scrapers in our frigid hands. The question always is "when is the absolute best time to get out and enjoy it?" Here's what the leaf experts think.

Are These Spots Really Illinois’ Most Unpronounceable Places?

Even those of us who've always lived in Illinois have trouble pronouncing a bunch of city and town names in our own state. Take a look at the list and see if you've ever had trouble getting these names out.

Driving Barefoot Or With Flip Flops In Illinois: Legal Or Not?

It's probably important to note that the question is "legal or not," rather than "is driving barefoot or in flip flops a good idea or a very bad idea in Illinois, or anywhere else?" The answer to one of those questions is a definite no.

Illinois’ Last One Closed In 2020, Now The Final US Store Closes

You may have thought that this particular discount store (famous for its blue-light specials) was already dead and buried, but it turns out that there was one location that was barely hanging in there after all the other locations had shut their doors forever. Now, that location is closing permanently, too.

Illinois’ Fastest Drive Thru: Which Chain Is The Quickest?

As you may have noticed, fast food prices are rivaling, and in some cases topping the prices you'll find at casual sit-down restaurants. So, if price isn't the reason you're in the drive-thru, it's gotta be because you want that fast food fast. A study took a look at who's moving quickly and who's making you wait.

Illinois Kitchens: A Beloved Product Just Filed For Bankruptcy

Maybe it was your grandmother who first fell in love with a certain line of kitchen products, or maybe it was your mom. Regardless, generations of Illinois kitchens have had these products on hand, even if the products routinely tumbled out of the cabinets because you stored them poorly.

Have You Ever Been To Illinois’ Oldest Restaurant?

We really seem to stack up at the door anytime a new restaurant opens for business, but when is the last time you visited an eatery that's been around since before Lincoln was president?