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
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.
Travel Site Names The 10 Most Boring Places In Illinois
I guess we have to ask ourselves if Illinois is a boring state or not. Just the title of this piece alone seems to say that there are a lot of boring places in the Land of Lincoln, so we've boiled it down to ten. A high school teacher once said to be that places aren't boring, but people certainly can be. It also helps to understand the what may bore one person can thrill another one. Let's see if that's true in Illinois.
A Midwestern City Beamed A Message To Outer Space Inviting Aliens
Sure, you might think it's a dumb idea, but who's going to have the last laugh when alien tourists start showing up from all over the galaxy with money to spend on souvenirs that say "Mom and Dad Traveled Light Years To The Midwest And All I Got Was This Lousy Shirt."
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?
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.
Website Names This Illinois’ Most Frightening Haunted Attraction
With a little over a week until Halloween, visits to Illinois' haunted houses and other seasonal scary spots are really on the upswing. There are lots and lots of choices for those who loved to be scared silly, but one haunted attraction was just named Illinois "most frightening" of them all.
Wisconsin Restaurant Has A 160 Ounce Steak Challenge–Up For It?
Food challenges, which test your ability to put away a stunning amount of food for prizes and a photo on a restaurant's wall of fame, can be found nearly anywhere, but for one of the biggest of the big, you've gotta take a road trip to Hortonville, Wisconsin.
Check The Numbers: Which Midwestern State Drinks The Most?
When it comes to elbow-bending with a beverage in our hands, Midwesterners can pretty much drink with anyone in the country. However, when it comes to drinking, which Midwestern state's residents are pounding more than their neighboring states? You probably have a good guess for this one.
Stink Bugs: Here’s What You Didn’t Know About Them
Here in Illinois, we deal with these bugs mainly in the Spring and again in the Fall...but sometimes in the winter when they've broken into our homes. Here are some things you may not know about Illinois stink bugs, like for example, how many different types we have in this state.
How Much Did Harry Caray Drink? Here Are The Crazy Numbers
You may not have known this, but legendary broadcaster Harry Caray actually kept a "drinking diary" that covers the many, many places that Harry drank, and who he drank with.