It's time to toss 2016 in the recycling bin and look ahead to the blank calendar that is 2017. We asked some northern Illinois residents what they hope for in the new year and how they plan to get there.
Lon Clark, DeKalb
My hope for 2017 is that I find a good use for the skills that I’m going to school for right now. Whether or not I make a lot of money doing it, I don’t care necessarily. But I certainly would like to be able to use my new skills, so I look forward to finding a situation to use my new skills.
David Obichere, Chicago
My hope for 2017 is to be successful. To do my part to make that happen, I resolve to stay focused, and don't procrastinate
Linda Slabon, DeKalb
My hope for 2017 is in response to the fear and the anxiety that has become part of our national climate as a result of the recent presidential election. My hope is that those of us who are part of religious and spiritual communities, that we will do our very best to continue to reach out to those who are disenfranchised, that we will build a community spirit, that we will put our bodies and our dollars where it will create a sense of healing and hope, and be part of the struggle. Be part of the struggle for those who are afraid.
Nicole Berns, DeKalb
My hope for 2017 is to deepen my relationships with people. And to make that happen I am resolving to just focus more on family and friends, and just getting to know people better and more deeply because I feel that a lot of my relationships are very surface-oriented.
Patrick Heisner, Ashton
My hope for 2017 is to quit smoking. To do my part, I'm going to stop going inside gas stations and buy gas at the pump and do whatever just to avoid that. And put money in the bank so I don't have the money to spend on it.
Allen Harden, Chicago
My hope for 2017 is, I got little hopes. I have a new grandkid coming and I hope this child is healthy. I hope that the world will survive the new presidency. Somehow, I think we are robust enough that we just might. I just hope that we all grow closer together, and for all the problems we have, we've improved. There's this old saying that the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice. I just want to slide down that and keep bending.
WNIJ'sPublic Radio 101graduate Scott Desavouret prepared this report.
