Posted in Accidents, BCFPD, Traffic, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
Consumers in six Illinois counties will be soon be paying higher sales taxes.
Transit funding legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last December provided for the 0.25% increase to take effect on Aug. 1 in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.
The tax hike is projected to generate $478 million a year as part of the $1.5 billion in annual transit funding provided in Senate Bill 2111.
State Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, said suburban taxpayers are bailing out the Chicago Transit Authority.
“We’re giving them a lifeline of money that we’re not getting anything in return for,” Reick said.
The Center Square asked Reick if higher taxes might drive people out of the area.
“Here in McHenry County, we’re obviously on the border with Wisconsin. I think people are going to make economic choices to drive up to Walworth, in my case, to buy gas and things like that,” Reick said.
SB 2111 also gave the Illinois Tollway Board the power to raise tolls.
Before the bill passed, state Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, said he appreciated the desire for a state-of-the-art mass transit system.
“I don’t know how, though, we justify spending more money than we need after $2 billion of tax increases in the last few years,” Ugaste said.
Report continues here.
Posted in BOHICA, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Center Square, Unions | Leave a Comment »
The wandering glider (Pantala flavescens) is the most widespread dragonfly in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica. Its long-distance flights can span thousands of miles across oceans and continents. | Wandering Glider, Photo by: Carolyn M.
In this Issue:
- Forest Preserves Seeks Best Nature Images as Photo Contest Begins July 31
- A Getaway That’s Not Far Away: Northwest Cook County
- Floating Wetland Pilot Launches at Schiller Pond
- Try This! Go Mothing to Celebrate National Moth Week; Red, White & Bloom: A Star-Spangled Scavenger Hunt; 2027 Indoor Event Permits Available Beginning August 17; Experience Chicago’s Living Habitat with Openlands; Learn About the Forest Preserve Foundation
- Upcoming Events & Programs
- Volunteer Opportunities: Together for Trees
Find the July FPDCC newsletter here.
Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, FPDCC, Horizon Farm | Leave a Comment »
By Gloria Casas | For the Naperville Sun
Community School District 300, which encompasses all or parts of West Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow and a half dozen other towns, will seek voter approval of a $355.5 million bond referendum in November election.
The D300 school board this week voted 7-0 to place the question on the Nov. 3 ballot. Bonds sold would fund more than 20 projects, including classroom additions to overcrowded schools, repairs to aging buildings, safety updates, entrance security improvements, and a new career and technical education center for hands-on training.
If the measure is approved, the owner of a $400,000 home would see a property tax bill increase of about $8.41 per month, or $101 per year, a news release on the initiative said.
“The referendum question follows a multiyear master facility plan process that examined the condition and capacity of all 27 district schools,” the release said.
“On average, District 300 schools are a half-century old, and roofs, windows, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems need repairs and updates. Many schools are already overcrowded, and an additional 4,000 students are expected over the next 10 years.”
Article continues here.
Posted in 300, Chicago Tribune, County, Elections, Look For The Union Label, McHenry, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions | Leave a Comment »
“In preparation for the Barrington Road Widening Project, there has been some ongoing utility relocation work.
Pirtano Construction is currently installing underground conduits for AT&T on the west side of Barrington Road between Algonquin Road and Central Road. This work is expected to continue through August 2026.
Following AT&T’s conduit installation, additional utility companies will continue relocating their infrastructure to accommodate the future roadway improvements. This includes, but is not limited to, ComEd, which will be relocating overhead electrical lines, and Nicor Gas. Utility relocation activities are anticipated to continue through March 2027.
These utility improvements are a necessary step in preparing the area for the Barrington Road Widening Project. We appreciate the community’s patience as this important infrastructure work progresses.”
Source: Village of South Barrington
Posted in Community Alerts, South Barrington, Traffic | Leave a Comment »
The Barrington CUSD 220 Board of Education is considering a key amendment to its Policy 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure). The proposed revision would eliminate the ability for parents, staff, and community members to have anonymous reports processed through the formal Uniform Grievance Procedure—a move that directly impacts public oversight of elected Board members and District leadership.
Under current District rules, individuals can file anonymous complaints alleging policy, statutory, or constitutional violations. However, proposed edits to Policy 2:260 explicitly strike out standard formal grievance processing for anonymous claims, introducing strict new requirements recommended by the Policy Committee (highlighted in blue) and edited by the District’s Attorney (stricken in yellow highlights and added in pink highlights):
While the District notes it may still review anonymous reports “as appropriate,” stripped of the formal grievance mechanism, anonymous submissions will no longer trigger mandatory investigation reporting, formal Board findings, or structured appeal rights.
The proposed restriction on anonymous grievances follows two separate formal grievance investigations involving Board Member Erin Chan Ding, both of which resulted in official Board determinations that she violated Board policy:
- First Complaint (November 2025): Following an anonymous parent complaint regarding Chan Ding’s campaign for Illinois State Representative, an independent investigation by legal counsel found she had violated Policy 2:105 (Ethics and Gift Ban) and Policy 2:80 (Board Member Code of Conduct). The violations involved circulating campaign nominating petitions at District events and displaying District resources on campaign social media channels. The Board voted 6-1 to uphold the findings and required her to undergo remedial policy training.
- Second Complaint (June/July 2026): A second formal grievance led to a Board decision on July 1, 2026, where the Board accepted investigator findings that Chan Ding again violated Policy 2:80. The Board cited her failure to recuse herself during the vote on her initial grievance—creating an appearance of impropriety—and her continued use of District achievements on active campaign platforms. The Board directed her to remove the content, requested a letter of apology, and asked her to seek independent ethics counseling
The effort to change the grievance policy also comes as the Board navigates additional formal complaints brought against other sitting Board members, including Board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Vice President Barry Altshuler, and Board Member Leah Collister-Lazzari.
Ending formal anonymous grievances creates a chilling effect on community members, parents, and District personnel who may fear professional or political retaliation if forced to attach their names to a complaint.
When complaints involve elected officials who wield significant authority over District personnel, policy, and budget decisions, anonymous grievance channels have historically served as a critical whistleblower mechanism. Stripping anonymous claims from formal procedure effectively raises the threshold for public scrutiny—at a time when Board members themselves are subject to active grievance findings.
The proposed edits to Policy 2:260 are currently undergoing Board review and are on the Agenda for discussion at today’s meeting, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Item 6.01. Community members wishing to comment on the proposed changes to the Uniform Grievance Procedure or Board oversight standards can submit public comments or attend tonight’s District 220 Board of Education meeting.
Related: “Reminder: CUSD 220 Board of Education meeting tonight,” “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “Special District 220 Board of Education meeting Monday,” “Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency” and “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’”
Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Look For The Union Label, New Normal?, Open Meetings Act, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 2 Comments »
CUSD 220 Board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Vice President Barry Altshuler and member Leah Collister-Lazzari.
The CUSD 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items of most interest on the agenda are:
- Consideration to Approve Written Decision Regarding Uniform Grievance Procedure Complaint Concerning Barry Altshuler
- Consideration to Approve Written Decision Regarding Uniform Grievance Procedure Complaint Concerning Sandra Bradford
- Consideration to Approve Written Decision Regarding Uniform Grievance Procedure Complaint Concerning Leah Collister-Lazzari
- Consideration to Approve the Public Release of the July 17, 2026, Uniform Grievance Procedure Investigation Report and Findings
- First Reading of Board Policy, 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live streamed on the district YouTube channel.
Related: “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “Special District 220 Board of Education meeting Monday,” “Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency” and “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’”
Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lipstick On A Pig, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Snowflake Effect, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »
Illinois drivers have only a short window to comment on a $26.5 billion capital plan that includes the largest passenger tollway hike in state history.
By Shaw Carlson | Illinois Policy Institute
Drivers face up to 15 years of additional construction and congestion on Illinois toll roads under the system’s proposed capital plan.
They’ll also pay toll hikes continuing long after that.
The Driving Connections plan, announced in June, would spur projects on the Illinois Tollway system until 2042. The $26.5 billion plan would be funded with proposed toll hikes that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed off on six months before the plan was released.
Former Tollway board member and state Sen. Bill Morris told the Daily Herald that “it appears they decided to raise tolls, and then they threw this together quickly for justification.”
The Tollway proposes raising tolls starting Jan. 1 by about 45 cents per toll for passenger drivers and 30% for commercial drivers. It would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.
You can tell the Tollway Board to reject the tax hike here.
The board is hosting public meetings until July 24 and taking public comments online until noon Aug. 3. The next regular board meeting at which the hike could be approved is Aug. 19.
Lawmakers driven by road needs or union politics?
The proposed toll hike is tied to politics around last year’s mass-transit bailout. Lawmakers redirected about $1 billion a year from the Road Fund toward Chicago-area public transportation, a move opposed by construction unions objecting to losing that road money. The toll hike became the price for labor union support.
House Speaker Chris Welch said unions wanted something to point to that would “help keep working people working and keep roads getting repaired.”
Pritzker appoints the tollway board, and two of its members hold leadership positions in construction unions.
The Driving Connections plan would fund road-widening, reconstruction, bridge work and congestion relief across interstates 355, 88, 294, 80, 94, 90 and the Route 390/I-490 O’Hare-area projects.
Many of those toll roads have recently seen extended periods of construction.
I-294 remains tied up in Central Tri-State work, I-90 was modernized during the previous capital plan and Route 390/I-490 work has been going on for years.
Illinois spent $90,400 per lane-mile in 2023 on state-owned roads — about $16,700 more than the Reason Foundation’s model calculated it should have cost.
Article continues here.
Once again, you can tell the Tollway Board to reject the tax hike here.
Posted in BOHICA, Clown Car, Cost of Living, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Traffic, Unions | Leave a Comment »
Timothy A. Kirschner, 60, of Arlington Heights, (inset) is being held in custody after being charged with attacking another man by punching him in the head, causing serious injury, at the Metra station, 201 South Spring Street in Barrington, Saturday evening. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided
By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner
A victim was hospitalized with serious injuries after police say a man punched him in the face at the Metra station in Barrington Saturday evening.
The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 8 p.m. Saturday to a report of a battery at the Metra station, 201 South Spring Street in Barrington.
Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said officers arrived and found an injured 42-year-old man.
Daigle said the victim reported he was punched in the face at the train station by a suspect, identified as Timothy A. Kirschner, 60, of Arlington Heights.
Four subjects, believed to be homeless, were hanging out at the station and talking.
The victim said something that offended Kirschner, who then attacked him, Daigle said.
The victim was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington where he was diagnosed with serious injuries, including head trauma.
Report continues here.
Posted in Crime, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, METRA, Public Safety | Leave a Comment »
Far right, leading a tour group is volunteer and CFC board member Jim Vanderpoel of Arlington Heights on July 20, 2026 at the restored tallgrass Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills, managed by the volunteer group (CFC) Citizens for Conservation of Barrington. | Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press
By Karie Angell Luc | For the Chicago Tribune
As environmentalists from around the world convened at the Aspen Ideas: Climate event in Chicago from July 20 to July 22, the conversation about conservation moved to Barrington Hills on July 20.
There, local and national conservationists toured the 44-acre Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills, managed by the volunteer group (CFC) Citizens for Conservation of Barrington.
Describing Indian Hemp, a native white flowering plant to a tour group, is volunteer and CFC board member Jim Vanderpoel of Arlington Heights on July 20, 2026 at the restored tallgrass Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills, managed by the volunteer group (CFC) Citizens for Conservation of Barrington. | Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press
CFC is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that restores and maintains more than 732 acres across 14 separate nearby locations, according to https://citizensforconservation.org.
“CFC first started with response to a lot of land development that was happening in the seventies, so they came to be in 1971,” said Abigail Derby Lewis of Glenview, CFC executive director.
Grigsby Prairie is “the oldest prairie restoration that CFC has and one of the oldest in the State of Illinois,” Derby Lewis said. “It is incredible.
“Every plant you see, every animal you see, all of the habitat there, that is the result of people putting in the time and the energy and the love to that land over decades,” Derby Lewis said.
CFC volunteer Wendy Paulson of Barrington Hills said of Grigsby Prairie (a prairie which was lost), “That’s an example of hope.”
The walk of the tallgrass prairie included tour leader and CFC board member Jim Vanderpoel of Arlington Heights, Dwayne Estes of Dickson, Tennessee, co-founder and executive director of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) of Clarksville, Tennessee, and a professor at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.
SGI is building a movement,” according to https://www.segrasslands.org.
Right, leading a tour group is volunteer and CFC board member Jim Vanderpoel of Arlington Heights on July 20, 2026 at the restored tallgrass Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills, managed by the volunteer group (CFC) Citizens for Conservation of Barrington. | Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press
Also interpreting Grigsby Prairie on the tour were Derby Lewis, Paulson, plus author and renowned forest preserves site steward Stephen Packard of Northbrook.
Many experts identify prairie grasslands as the most threatened ecosystem in eastern North America, with scattered acres, islands and pockets around the United States unattended to and basically forgotten.
Article and photos continue here.
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Citizens for Conservation, Going green, Land Use, Privacy, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »
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