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Reminder: Celebrate America 250 with The Land We Love Run to Support Folds of Honor

June 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Neighbors & Friends –

Join us as we kick off the America 250 celebration 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with the annual “The Land We Love Run” through Barrington Hills! Brought to you by the Village of Barrington Hills and Cuba Township The Land We Love Run starts at 7:30 am from Cuba Township, and offers 5k & 10k runs and a 2 mile walk.  Come out to enjoy our beautiful Village and to support our Heroes!

Our 5k and 10k 🏃‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️ courses are certified and professionally chip timed.

Compete in the Team Competition 🙌 Put together your team of 3 or more for camaraderie, bragging rights, and to compete for fun prizes!

Police 👮🏻 monitored routes with age-based awards 🥇, and water/aid stations. Stay for the award ceremony, refreshments and fun following the run.

All proceeds to benefit Folds of Honor – Chicago, a National organization with a local presence that provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled Service Members and First Responders. Donations are also being accepted to the Cuba Township Food Pantry, addressing Barrington-area residents’ food insecurity needs.

It’s a HILL of a RUN!
Hope to see you and your friends and colleagues on June 28th! 

You don’t run? Consider volunteering or sponsorship!

Sponsorship levels are:

  • America 250 Sponsor $2,500 Recognition on Website, Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, American 250 Banner, 10 Race Entries, Space for Table/Tent
  • 1776 Sponsor $1,776 Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, 5 Race Entries
  • Liberty Sponsor $1,000 Logo on Race Banner
  • Freedom Sponsor $500 Logo on Water Station Signs

***SPONSORSHIP MUST BE CONFIRMED BY MAY 27th TO GUARANTEE LOGO ON T-SHIRTS***

Click for SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION & FORM

We appreciate you forwarding this invitation to any who might be interested in participating and/or sponsorship.

Posted in Entertainment, Folds of Honor, Fundraisers, Press Release, Resident Spotlights, The Land We Love Run, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »

‘Something spectacular’: Towns to go all out on July 4 for America’s 250th year

June 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Katlyn Smith | Daily Herald

A fireworks and drone show. A Sousa-heavy municipal band season. A field of flags, many tagged with handwritten notes for those who served.

Strike up the band

The brass and percussion sections of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra promise a “thunderous performance” at Citizens Park amphitheater in Barrington the evening of July 1. The Barrington Lions Club will cook up its Brat Tent Festival from July 1 to 4. The Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet will perform from the stately porch of Barrington’s own White House before the Independence Day parade.

“Barrington is a very patriotic town, and really the highlight of our event season any year is our Fourth of July parade,” said Clancy Potts, the village’s events manager.

Article continues here.

Editorial notes: Barrington 4th of July Parade – “The parade steps off at 10AM from Barrington High School on Saturday, July 4. More details about signing up your organization or business can be found here!”

4th of July Fireworks – “The Barrington Community Fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. from Barrington High School and can be seen from many locations around town.”

Posted in Daily Herald, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Entertainment, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills man accused of more threats to local officials, including judge, cops, probation officer

June 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Joel A. Koskinen (Photo Provided by McHenry County Sheriff’s Office)

By Amanda Marrazzo | Shaw Local

A man awaiting trial on charges that he threatened to shoot Barrington Hills police officers is now accused of threatening to harm a McHenry County  judge and probation officer.

Joel A. Koskinen, 36, of Barrington Hills, is charged with threatening public officials, a Class 3 felony, and harassment through electronic communications involving threats to kill, Class 4 felony, according to the McHenry County jail and a judge who was brought in from outside the county, 23rd Judicial Circuit County Judge Philip Montgomery. The circuit hears cases in DeKalb and Kendall counties.

Montgomery, who appeared via Zoom, was assigned Friday to hear the case due to the apparent conflict of interest. The judge said Barrett Mays was appointed as special assistant public defender.

Because Montgomery and Mays learned just Friday that they are going to handle the case, Montgomery postponed Koskinen’s detention hearing, to determine if he will be held while awaiting trial, to Tuesday morning. The judge said Mays also needed time to meet with Koskinen, who is in the county jail.

On Tuesday, the state will argue Koskinen should remain in jail pretrial, and prosecutors are also seeking to have his pretrial release from the earlier case revoked.

Report continues here.

Posted in County, McHenry, Resident Spotlights, Shaw Local, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »

Carpentersville police fatally shoot armed suspect; two people wounded

June 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Russell Lissau | Daily Herald

A gunman shot two people in Carpentersville early Saturday before being killed by police, authorities said.

The violence occurred at La Ilusion Restaurant & Bar, which is in a small shopping center on the 1300 block of Kings Road. It stemmed from a domestic situation, Illinois State Police said in a news release.

Officers were called to the restaurant a little after midnight following initial gunshots. Upon arrival, the officers saw a man shooting at someone and shot him, the release said.

The two people shot by the suspect were hospitalized. One was in critical condition and the other was stable Saturday morning, authorities said.

Report continues here.

Posted in Crime, Daily Herald, Police Reports | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Reports Demolition Underway at Former PepsiCo Site

June 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Demolition activity is underway at 617 W. Main St., the former PepsiCo site, paving the way for the site development of the new Claremont subdivision. The residential development includes 88 custom luxury single-family homes with many on-site amenities, including a clubhouse, pool, cabana, sports courts, walking paths and more.

Keep up to date with all the exciting changes and improvements taking place by visiting the development updates page on the Village’s website. The page is regularly updated with the most current information available”

Posted in 220, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie shares an update on Hoffman Estates/Plum Farms Plan Commission meeting

June 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Dear Residents

This week, I participated in an important meeting of the Hoffman Estates Plan Commission regarding a proposed rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property, located north of Route 72 and west of Route 59. This proposal has significant implications for South Barrington and the surrounding communities.
The requested M-2 zoning classification would permit the development of a data center on the site, which was the primary concern raised during the meeting. More than 45 residents provided public comments, and every speaker expressed opposition to the proposed zoning change.

During the meeting, I addressed the Plan Commission to voice South Barrington’s opposition to the rezoning request. I emphasized that M-2 zoning for this highly visible corner property is inconsistent with the long-term economic development strategies pursued by both South Barrington and Hoffman Estates. Our communities have invested considerable effort in establishing this area as a destination for retail, dining, entertainment, and other complementary commercial uses. A data center does not align with that vision or with the character of our surrounding communities.

The meeting drew more than 400 attendees, and every speaker who addressed the Commission voiced objections to the proposed development. As a strategic partner with Hoffman Estates, it was my hope that the Plan Commission would recognize the shared objectives of our communities and decline to recommend the requested zoning change.

Ultimately, the Plan Commission voted 4-2 against the rezoning request. The matter will now be forwarded to the Hoffman Estates Village Board for final consideration, with the earliest possible hearing scheduled for June 15th.

I will continue to keep everyone informed as this process moves forward. Thank you to the many residents of Barrington, Hoffman Estates, Barrington Hills, and neighboring communities who attended the meeting, submitted letters, and voiced their opposition. Your engagement and advocacy played an important role in ensuring that community perspectives were clearly heard throughout this process.

For more news articles related to this, see below:

Daily Herald: Hoffman Estates Plan Commission Rejects Rezoning Request for Possible Data Center
CBS News: Hoffman Estates Plan Commission Rejects Zoning Change for New Data Center Project
Hoffman Estates Plan Commission Rejects Rezoning Request for Possible Data Center“‘

We’d like to thank Mayor McCombie once again for keeping residents informed.

Posted in Cook, County, Guest Essay, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Plum Farm development, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency | 1 Comment »

Bears ‘advance’ unspecified Indiana stadium plan — but keep Illinois lawmakers on the line

June 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren

By Brenden Moore | Capitol News Illinois

Article Summary

  • The Chicago Bears announced the team’s board of directors “voted to advance” a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana on Friday.
  • It’s the biggest step toward moving yet, but a top Illinois Senate negotiator said he got a call from the team’s president and CEO indicating Illinois isn’t necessarily out of the mix.
  • The Bears’ statement acknowledged that an Indiana site is “to be selected,” a level of ambiguity that’s been a hallmark of the team’s recent public communications.
  • JB Pritzker issued a statement saying the team’s frequent “shifting” of its position on a stadium location “has hindered their progress.”

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

The article can be found here.

Posted in Girlie man, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend tax breaks offered to data centers

June 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Pritzker, who is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters. | Photo: İsmail Enes Ayhan / Unsplash

By Natasha Korecki | NBC News 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday plans to temporarily halt offering tax breaks to data centers that apply to build in the state and intends to call on lawmakers and other groups to hash out a framework in the fall veto session for how the centers should be developed.

In a plan first shared with NBC News, Pritzker will announce he will pause the processing of any applications to the tax incentive program handled by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity beginning July 1.

Pritzker called on state lawmakers this year to suspend incentives for two years while they hammer out a comprehensive review of the impact centers are having on communities.

Pritzker is making the move after lawmakers did not act. The governor cannot unilaterally halt the program, but the executive branch does wield some control over processing applications, according to his office.

By taking on the massive buildings that power artificial intelligence, Pritzker, who is running for a third term and is widely viewed as having 2028 White House aspirations, is tapping into an issue seen as important to voters.

“Illinois has an opportunity to continue leading in technological innovation and economic growth, but we also have a responsibility to protect working families and local communities as the data center industry rapidly expands,” he said in a statement. “I am directing my administration to pause the processing of data center agreements while we continue working with the General Assembly and stakeholders on a comprehensive framework that protects affordability, safeguards our natural resources, and ensures responsible growth across Illinois.”

An NBC News poll this year revealed that nationally, Americans believe the dangers of AI outweigh its benefits. The proliferation of data centers has sparked controversy across the country. An expanding number of states are trying to curb their development, while others are trying to end tax breaks.

Full report plus video(s) can be found here as well as this report we missed earlier this week: “Residents push back against possible idea for third data center in Hoffman Estates.”

Posted in AI, Data Center, News Media, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Upcoming Stillman Nature Center events include bird walk, campfire, pond study

June 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Join Stillman Nature Center naturalist and reptile enthusiast Lara Sviatke July 12 as she shares her knowledge about turtles and snakes | Courtesy of Stillman Nature Center

By Stillman Nature Center

Stillman Nature Center at 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington, will offer the following events and programs. For details, visit stillmannc.org, email stillmangho@gmail.com, or call (847) 428-OWLS (6957).

Sunday morning bird walk: 8 a.m. Sunday, June 7. Experienced birder David Johnson will lead this morning bird walk, intended for adults and children age 10 and older. Binoculars would be helpful. If you don’t have any, don’t worry, Stillman does. If it’s raining, the activity will be canceled. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Call to RSVP if you plan to attend.

Bats and campfire: 8-9 p.m. Saturday, June 20; 7-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Ever wonder about these creatures that come out at night? Why are bats so mysterious? Join bat naturalist Lara Sviatko for bat information, a campfire, and roasted marshmallows. Participants will hear sounds of nocturnal wildlife and end the evening with a visit to Stillman’s resident owls. Suggested donation is $5.

Snakes and turtles: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Join naturalist and reptile enthusiast Lara Sviatko as she shares her knowledge about these cold-blooded animals. Participants will have a chance to touch a snake as well as look for Stillman’s snakes and pond turtles. For adults and children ages 8 and older. Free, but call to reserve a spot.

Pond study: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26. With the help of long-handled dip nets, families (including children ages 8 and older) will scoop into Stillman’s pond in hopes of catching crayfish, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and other rarely seen pond creatures. Dress in clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Free, but call or email to make reservations, since space is limited.

Posted in Education, South Barrington, Stillman Nature Center, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Hoffman Estates plan commission rejects rezoning request for possible data center

June 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie adds her voice to that of 45 others criticizing a proposal for the rezoning of the 186-acre Plum Farms property at Higgins Road and Route 59 for a possible data center before the Hoffman Estates plan commission Wednesday night. | Eric Peterson/epeterson@dailyherald.com

By Eric Peterson | Daily herald

Hoffman Estates plan commissioners voted 4-2 Wednesday to recommend against rezoning the 186-acre Plum Farms property to manufacturing for a possible data center proposal.

The vote was called after 46 members of the public unanimously urged rejection of the request for an unspecified development by landowner Karis Critical of Florida, which saw a data center proposal in Naperville rejected in January.

Speakers opposed to the rezoning urged the board’s rejection of the proposal without knowing what would go there. They complained a data center would create environmental issues.

Most speakers were from Hoffman Estates, South Barrington or Barrington Hills. But independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett of Palatine, Democratic state Rep. Nabeela Syed of Inverness and Democratic candidate for state representative Maria Peterson of North Barrington were also drawn by the chorus of discontent.

South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie said her village and Hoffman Estates have had a long history of understanding that what happens in one community affects the other. She found the rezoning request out of sync with their mutual development of retail uses in that area.

“I’m not a resident of Hoffman Estates but we should be strategic partners,” McCombie said.

The full article can be found here.

Related: “Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project,” “Hoffman Estates Plum Farm June 3rd Plan Commission Meeting Essentials,” “After being rejected in Naperville, company could build data center in Hoffman Estates,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posts information regarding June 3 Hoffman Estates (Plum Farms) Plan Commission meeting,” “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” “Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property,” “Hoffman Estates approves sewer, water for development of 185 acres west of The Arboretum,” “Hoffman Estates approves tax incentive at routes 59, 72,” “District 220 lawsuit against Hoffman Estates, Plum Farms developers dismissed,” “South Barrington residents sue over Hoffman Estates development,” “Editorial: Listen to agencies that would feel consequences of Hoffman Estates development“

Posted in AI, BACOG, Clown Car, Cook, County, Daily Herald, Data Center, Dinky, Hoffman Estates, Plum Farm development, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes | 3 Comments »

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