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Polls are now open

November 3, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

It’s Election Day, 2026. We’re asking everyone to vote for the following with good reasons:

Our reasons to vote for Darby and Marty include:

Information on where you are registered to vote today can be found here.

PLEASE VOTE!

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Road construction, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Your Vote Matters

November 2, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Jeanne Ives | Breakthrough Ideas

Tomorrow’s election will determine the direction of the country, state, and local governments for the next 2-4 years, and possibly longer. People should carefully consider who they choose to represent them in every office from forest preserve to the U.S. Senate. Voters should carefully consider candidates’ qualifications for the positions they seek, their past records if previously elected, and what they say they are going to do once in office. These officeholders will be making consequential decisions on you, your family, and your livelihood.

For too long, we have had Democrat control of the statehouse and statewide offices, and that has led to one of the slowest-growing and highest-taxed states in the nation. We’ve also become one of the most morally depraved states, celebrating abortion, allowing our kids to be indoctrinated in DEI nonsense, and diminishing parental rights in numerous ways. These policies and our trajectory as the dysfunctional neighbors on the block can be reversed if we get the right leadership.

While every race is important, a few races are real indicators of whether Illinois voters have really drunk the DSA Kool-Aid and whether enough commonsense voters still exist or are paying attention.

Darby Hills v. Nabeela Syed for State Senate District 26

Darby Hills is the incumbent, and she has real-world experience that makes her a valuable legislator. Her opponent went from college at UC Berkeley to running for state rep. She has no experience to speak of professionally or personally, such as owning a home and having a family. The district has some of the wealthiest areas of the state and also areas that are more modest. This suburban area has tended to be fiscally conservative and has some of the highest property taxes in the state. Who shows up to vote is very important. Listen to this interview with Darby Hills and share it with others ahead of the election tomorrow.

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTcm6U7NLA

Marty McLaughlin is running to retain his seat in the Illinois House.

He is one-half of the Darby Hills Senate district with the same situation. Are there enough voters aware of the issues and the qualifications to vote Marty back into office? Because choosing his unimpressive, pro-abort, resume-less Democrat opponent makes no sense at all. We need people with a deep understanding of local government, taxes, pensions, and more. Marty has that. He’s been a two-term mayor, manages pensions professionally, and understands business better than almost anyone else in the state house.

What will voters do? If Marty loses, Illinois loses, and it’s a bad indicator of worse things to come for taxpayers in this state.

Article continues here.

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Posted in Breakthrough Ideas, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Last day for early voting – Avoid the lines Tuesday

November 2, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Early voting ends today for the November 3, 2026 General Election. Again, polling locations by county are:

For general voting information, visit the Cook, Kane, Lake or McHenry County Clerk’s website(s).

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Posted in BACOG, Breakthrough Ideas, Chicago Reader, Cook, County, Daily Herald, Economy, Elections, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin

November 1, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

State Rep. Martin “Marty” McLaughlin and State Sen. Darby Hills are endorsed by the Chicago Tribune and a very large number of elected officials in their respective Districts.

According to their candidate campaign websites, State Senator Darby Hills and Representative Martin McLaughlin have the endorsements of the Mayors or Village Presidents in their Districts of:

Barrington Hills, Barrington, South Barrington, Lake Barrington, Port Barrington, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Libertyville, Island Lake, Volo and Wauconda.

Additionally, Hills is endorsed by the mayors of Long Grove and Tower Lakes. McLaughlin has the vote of the mayors of North Barrington, Cary and Hoffman Estates as well as former elected officials.

Contrast this with the campaign websites of Nabeela Syed and Maria Peterson, who boast the endorsements of the Mayors or Village Presidents of: Zero, Zip, Zilch and Nada!

What does this tell you? This explains exactly why Pritzker, PACs, Unions and Democrats have bankrolled their campaigns with millions of dollars in efforts to avert your attention.

Vote wisely. Vote for Marty McLaughlin and Darby Hills!

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Editorial note: The minute a list is posted, a sin of omission is likely committed. Please notify us if additions are needed.

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Chicago Tribune, Cost of Living, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Fools and their money, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Who really funds Nabeela Syed?

October 31, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

This week’s Reveille: The race between Nabeela Syed and Darby Hills for Illinois Senate District 26. Jeanne breaks down nearly $1.7 million in reported contributions from unions and Democratic leaders to Syed, and Syed’s campaign promises vs. her legislative voting record in the IL State House.

By Jeanne Ives | Breakthrough Ideas

“Nabeela Syed was only 23 when she was elected as a state rep. She went from college at the University of California, Berkeley, to running for office with a short stint as a digital strategist for an activist NGO.

She’s been celebrated by the press mostly for her identity. The Indian Express in 2022 said her victory was noteworthy in part because she is young, a first-generation Asian American, and a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Syed is a political climber, though. After 4 years in the House, she’s now running for State Senate. She says property taxes are too high, that she’ll fight for small business, and supports efforts to eliminate wasteful spending.

Her votes, though, show the opposite is true. There’s been no property tax relief, and she’s voted for millions in tax increases and the highest budgets in state history. She’s just another progressive Democrat bought and paid for by the unions and the Democrat Party in Illinois.

Over just the last 10 days, Senate Democrats have pushed over $1 million into Syed’s campaign.

Pritzker gave her another $10,000 and a teachers union PAC $40,000. Last quarter, her campaign took in nearly $1.7 million in donations from unions and Democrat leaders. They want this seat.

Also backing Syed is the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium. Their goal is building Asian American and immigrant power. And they want to fight for the civil, immigrant, and human rights for low-income, undocumented, queer, young people, seniors, and women.

Well, where does that leave the average Jane and Joe in Palatine and Barrington, Illinois? If you really want to know who your state rep or senator will represent when elected to office, just find out who’s funding their campaign.

Fortunately, the Chicago Tribune had the common sense to endorse Darby Hills for Senate District 26. She’ll represent Americans and taxpayers.

I’m Jeanne Ives.”
breakthrough-ideas.com

The Facebook reel of this post can be found here. Please share it!

Related: “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District,” “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills”

Posted in BACOG, Breakthrough Ideas, Cost of Living, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fools and their money, Guest Essay, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency | 1 Comment »

East Dundee Public Hearing Nov. 5th Re: Data Center Text Amendment Proposal

October 30, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

“Notice is hereby given that the Planning, Zoning, and Historic Commission of the Village of East Dundee will hold a special meeting for a public hearing on November 5, 2026, at 6:30 P.M. at the East Dundee Police Station 2nd Floor Village Board Meeting Room, 115 E. 3rd Street, East Dundee, Illinois, to consider the following Village-initiated request:

A proposed text amendment to Chapter 157 of the Village of East Dundee Zoning Ordinance in Section 157.065(A)(1)(h)(1) to reclassify data centers in the M-1 and M-2 Manufacturing Districts from a (P) permitted by-right land use to a (S) permitted by special use permit land use in those areas of the Village north of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Drive, and in those areas of the Village south of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Edison transmission right-of-way. PIN: Village-wide Legal Description: N/A All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.

Any questions regarding this public hearing process may be directed to Franco Bottalico, Interim Village Administrator, in person at 120 Barrington Avenue, East Dundee, Illinois, 60118, via email at FBottalico@eastdundee.net, or by phone at (847) 8150472. Published in Daily Herald October 21, 2026 (169833)​”

A copy of the agenda packet can be viewed and downloaded here. East Dundee public maps can be found here.

Related: “Proposed East Dundee annexation deal would allow future data center”

Posted in AI, Community Alerts, County, Data Center, East Dundee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Kane, Land Use, Lennie, Politics, Privacy, Public Hearing, Public Safety, Real Estate, Special Use Permits, Taxes, Transparency, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

(False) Report of shooting at north suburban high school spurs lockdown, police response: officials

October 30, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

A report of a shooting at Barrington High School spurred a lockdown and police response, officials said.

By ABC7 Chicago Digital Team

BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) — A report of a shooting at a north suburban high school spurred a lockdown Thursday, officials said.

Police responded to Barrington High School after receiving a call that a shooting had taken place in one of the school’s bathrooms, and the school was placed on lockdown.

Barrington police and administrators checked the school’s bathrooms and determined no shooting took place.

School officials said there is no threat.

The lockdown was lifted.

“We understand experiencing situations like this can be stressful and our Student Services team will be available to provide support for any students that may want to discuss this,” school officials said.

Report and video here.

Posted in 220, ABC7 Chicago, Barrington High School, School Districts | Leave a Comment »

Pritzker’s record: partisan maps, doubled gas tax, record spending

October 29, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

With the governor running for a third term and eyeing the White House, Illinoisans should remember his policy decisions.

By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

Many of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decisions have not helped families and businesses thrive in Illinois.

During his two terms, Pritzker has:

  • Signed partisan legislative and congressional maps into law after promising to veto them.
  • Doubled the state gas tax.
  • Set record-high state budgets.
  • Approved at least 63 tax and fee increases.

Here is a closer look at a record that speaks for itself:

Broke his promise to veto partisan legislative maps

As a candidate, Pritzker pledged to veto legislative maps drawn for partisan advantage. He broke that promise.

Instead, he signed new legislative and congressional district maps widely criticized for protecting Democratic majorities and incumbent politicians. Analysts at the Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave the new maps an overall F for partisan fairness, competitiveness and compactness.

In the 2024 presidential election, about 55% of the Illinois vote went to Democrat Kamala Harris, yet the party holds 66% of the seats in the General Assembly.

The partisan politics of the maps Pritzker OK’d are reflected in the statehouse: Over 90% of the bills that passed both chambers in the second regular session of the 104th Illinois General Assembly were sponsored by Democrats.

Doubled Illinois’ gas tax

One of Pritzker’s first major acts was signing the 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital plan. In doing so he doubled the tax to 38 cents a gallon.

The state had gone almost 30 years without raising the gas tax, which was 19 cents a gallon from 1990 to 2019.

More consequentially, the law created automatic yearly increases linked to inflation. Because of that, Illinois drivers will likely pay more in state gas taxes each year for the foreseeable future unless lawmakers take action, as there’s no expiration date on the annual adjustments.

Illinois lawmakers this year gave drivers a six-month break from a gas tax increase.

Report continues here.

Posted in Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Owl-oween Bash at Crabtree Nature Center Friday

October 29, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun. Costumes encouraged.

Date: Fri, October 30
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Where: 3 Stover Rd, Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: 847-381-6592 – Registration required

Source

Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, Education, Entertainment, FPDCC | Leave a Comment »

Illinois Senate 26th candidates divided on immigration enforcement, data centers

October 28, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Republican Senator Darby Hills and Democrat Rep. Nabeela | Photos by Jerry Nowicki

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

The race for the Illinois Senate’s 26th District seat matches incumbent Republican Sen. Darby Hills against Democratic challenger Nabeela Syed, the representative for the state House’s 51st District.

The candidates have different approaches on two hot-button issues: immigration enforcement and data centers.

Immigration enforcement

Hills, a former Barrington Hills village trustee who was appointed to the state Senate in February 2025, says local police should not be turned into immigration agents.

But she said she also believes Illinois’ TRUST Act goes too far in preventing local authorities from honoring federal immigration detainers, even for someone charged with or convicted of a violent felony.

Under the TRUST Act, local police can only hold someone on an immigration detainer if there is a federal criminal warrant signed by a judge.

Data centers

In June, Gov. JB Pritzker announced a pause on processing new data center tax incentives and proposed a seven-point framework that included a call for centers to pay their fair share of electrical grid and water costs.

Hills called the governor’s pause a reasonable timeout but said it is not a policy.

“The state handed out hundreds of millions in tax breaks without asking what data centers would cost ratepayers,” she wrote in her response to a Daily Herald questionnaire.

Hills has called for a moratorium of at least one year on new data centers and supports legislation that would put limitations on such projects. She has sponsored or co-sponsored a number of related bills, including Senate Bill 1050.

Full article appears here.

 

Posted in AI, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Immigration, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Village Government | 3 Comments »

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