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.

Watch: Passenger Flips Out At O’Hare, Throws Monitor At Staff

If you've ever wondered if airport travelers in today's world are nastier, angrier, and more unhinged that they used to be, take a look at the video of this outburst at O'Hare airport. That should answer your question very well.

It’s About Time: Illinois Now Has An Official State…Mushroom

Forget about high property taxes, high gasoline taxes, higher unemployment than any of our neighbors, a shrinking population, and crime. We've got a cool new official state mushroom!

Illinois Skies Will Feature A Meteor Shower This Weekend

Experts say that the Perseid meteor shower is this year's "most prolific" meteor shower, meaning that at its peak, you could see up to and beyond 75 shooting stars per hour this coming weekend. Here's the information you'll need to look up at the best time.

Illinois Mosquitoes: Instead Of Sprays, Grab This Stuff Instead

Sure, you can light the citronella candles, use a yard-fogger, and cover yourself in some DEET this summer to ward off Illinois' aggressive mosquitoes, or you can use something that's a lot more plentiful and a lot less expensive to get the job done. You probably already have this stuff at home.

Illinois Weird: Why People Are Putting Toilet Paper In The Fridge

Apparently we have social media to thank for this strange bit of behavior. In response to a problem that some were having with their refrigerators, it's been suggested that toilet paper is a problem solver.

“World Naked Bike Rides” Start This Month In Illinois & Wisconsin

Organized naked bike rides began as a way to protest the fact that people and the planet have to deal with pollution created by vehicles, but now it's all about body positivity and the joys of cycling...and risking burning your bare butt on a hot bicycle seat. Who's in?

Illinois’ Hot Summer: Here’s What The Weather Experts Are Saying

Okay, it's Illinois in the summertime, so we know we're in for at least some amount of serious heat during the months of June, July, and August. The weather experts out there are weighing in with their thoughts, and all we can say is get ready, it's going to be a hot one.

Look Up: Illinois Gets A Look At The “Parade Of Planets” June 3rd

We've had a lot to look up into the sky and see over the last month or so, including a solar eclipse and meteor showers. Now, in a little less than two weeks, we get a look at the big picture in our solar system with the Parade of Planets.

Meet The Swear Words That Illinois And Wisconsin Love The Most

I almost started this by saying "everyone swears," but that's not exactly true. I should say that everyone I know and associate with swears, but I am open to the possibility that there are those who keep their language clean and neat at all times. This piece is not for them.

Here’s How Old Illinois Kids Have To Be To Be Left Home Alone

All kids are different, and so are the states that they live in when it comes to the age that it's okay to leave a kid home by themselves. Here in Illinois...well, let's put it this way: Kevin McAllister's parents in the movie Home Alone would probably be in an Illinois jail for leaving him behind when they went to Paris.