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
Illinois Cicadas Are Coming This Spring With Trillions Of Friends
I saw a report the other day that said Illinois could be covered with hundreds of thousands of cicadas in a few months, but that report was totally wrong. Illinois is going to literally see not millions, not billions, but trillions of cicadas. You could actually have hundreds of thousands just in your yard alone.
At Illinois Grocery Stores, This Item Is The #1 Best-Seller
I'm not trying to talk you into buying anything you wouldn't normally buy, but looking at the number-one best selling item in Illinois grocery stores, I'm going to go ahead and guess that you already buy this.
Circus Animals Rescued From Burning Truck On Midwestern Highway
For those who really don't want to read about animals dying in a fire, I get it. When there's a raging fire where animals are being contained, it usually ends up badly for the animals, but in this case, thanks to quick thinking and actions of people at the scene, all the animals and humans involved are going to be okay.
Illinois’ Very Fastest Fast Food Drive-Thru? The Winner Is…
Look, the whole reason you chose the drive-thru is because you're in somewhat of a hurry, so you want the fastest drive-thru experience you can get. A new study took a look at the fastest fast food drive-thru places in Illinois and has named a winner.
Got A Favorite? Study Names The Best Grocery Stores In Illinois
Are you someone with a "go-to" grocery store, or are you somebody who generally hits them all to get the things you need when it's time to re-supply?
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?
Moving Companies: Where Illinois Ranks In Residents Looking To Go
For the longest time, Illinois has been at or near the top in states leading the nation in "outbound migration," or more simply put, "moving away." Now, some new data from moving companies names the top 3 states in the country where residents are packing up trucks and heading for the state line. We're one of them, but where do we rank?
Here Are Illinois’ Most Popular Dog And Cat Names Of 2023
The most popular baby names in Illinois are fairly predictable because we seem to get into patterns with them. You'll see many of the same baby names in the same positions on the list year after year, but popular pet names can and do change from one year to the next. Here are the names Illinoisans decided to give their puppies and kittens this year.
Are There Any Dry (Liquor Free) Counties In Illinois Anymore?
A "dry" county is one where the sale of alcoholic beverages of any kind is prohibited by local government, and believe or not, there are plenty of them scattered around the United States. One particular state leads the entire nation in dry counties, but how many of Illinois' 102 counties are saying no to booze sales, too?