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IRS: Illinois lost $6 billion to outmigration in 2023

April 21, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

A net of nearly 56,000 people and $6 billion in income left the state in 2023, according to IRS data.

By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinoisans who leave take a lot of money with them.

Federal tax returns show the state lost 55,609 people and $6 billion in adjusted gross income on net in 2023, the most recent IRS data available.

Most of those people were high-income. While people of all income levels left Illinois in 2023, the heaviest loss was among those making more than $100,000 a year. They made up 60% of the state’s net migration losses.

The economic impact of those departures is even greater: Filers making more than $100,000 took more than $5.5 billion with them — 90% of the state’s income loss.

Illinois lost residents to 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2023. By far the largest share of individuals and income was lost to Florida, which gained 10,583 residents and $2.4 billion in income from Illinois.

Texas was No. 2, adding 7,795 residents and $488 million in income from Illinois.

Article continues here.

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

District 220 Board of Education meets tonight

April 21, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The District 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:

  • FOIA Request Report
  • Revised Personnel Report
  • Consideration to Approve 2026-2027 Meal Prices
  • Consideration to Approve 2026-2027 NSLP Food Service Renewal
  • Consideration to Approve Transform 220 Bids
  • Project Work Order #12 to the Pepper Construction Company Master Agreement
  • Consideration to Approve a BHS Athletic Program Donation Agreements
  • Grade Level Program Transition Update
  • Transform 220 Pre-Construction Update
  • Teaching and Learning / Equity Update

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live streamed on the district YouTube channel.

Related: “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”

Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District Board meets tonight

April 20, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The lease on the BCFPD fire station adjacent to Village Hall is being reviewed according to their agenda. | Courtesy Google maps

The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) Board of Trustees meets this evening at 6:30 PM at 22222 N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington. Topics on their agenda include:

  • Station 37 (Barrington Hills) Lease Review
  • Local Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) (Type IV) Memorandum of Understanding

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.

Posted in Agendas, BCFPD, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Jewel-Osco, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »

The Deepfake Nudes Crisis in Schools Is Much Worse Than You Thought

April 20, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

An analysis by WIRED and Indicator found nearly 90 schools and 600 students around the world impacted by AI-generated deepfake nude images—and the problem shows no signs of going away. | PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION: WIRED STAFF; GETTY IMAGES

By Matt Burgess | WIRED

It usually starts with a photo downloaded from social media.

Around the world, teenage boys are saving Instagram and Snapchat images of girls they know from school and using harmful “nudify” apps to create fake nude photos or videos of them. These deepfakes can quickly be shared across whole schools, leaving victims feeling humiliated, violated, hopeless, and scared the images will haunt them forever.

The deepfake crisis hitting schools started slowly a couple of years ago, but it has since grown considerably as the technology used to create the explicit imagery has become more accessible. Deepfake sexual abuse incidents have hit around 90 schools globally and have impacted more than 600 pupils, according to a review of publicly reported incidents by WIRED and Indicator, a publication focusing on digital deception and misinformation.

The findings show that since 2023, schoolchildren—most often boys in high schools—in at least 28 countries have been accused of using generative AI to target their classmates with sexualized deepfakes. The explicit imagery, containing minors, is considered to be child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This analysis is believed to be the first to review real-world cases of AI deepfake abuse taking place at schools globally.

As a whole, the analysis shows the worldwide reach of harmful AI nudification technology, which can earn their creators millions of dollars per year, and shows that in many incidents, schools and law enforcement officials are often not prepared to respond to the serious sexual abuse incidents.

Article continues here.

Posted in AI, Big Brother, Deception, Education, Ethics, News Media, Privacy, School Districts, TMI, Topics Of Interest, WIRED | Leave a Comment »

Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans

April 19, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Mike Moran, Village of Barrington President

“Barrington has always taken a thoughtful and balanced approach to growth, preserving the character of our neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future. With that in mind, I am writing to share serious concerns and urge opposition to House Bill (HB) 5626, known as the BUILD legislation. View the full text of the bill and its status here.

This proposal would override local zoning and require municipalities like Barrington to allow multi-family housing on nearly every residential lot.

Local zoning authority grants the Village the power to create and maintain single-family residential districts, which cover most of the Village’s footprint. In these locations today, only single-family homes are permitted. This helps to maintain the existing character and density of our neighborhoods.

What BUILD Would Allow by Lot Size:

Because all single-family residential lots in the Village exceed 5,000 sq. ft., this legislation would allow for any single-family residential lot in the Village to be redeveloped into a 6 or 8-unit building without any ability for the Village to prohibit such redevelopment. In short, if you live in a single-family residential district, the home next to yours could become a 6 or 8-unit apartment building.

This legislation raises several concerns. It removes local control, does not reflect the character of our neighborhoods, and could place additional strain on parking, infrastructure and schools. It also creates the risk that existing single-family homes, including naturally affordable housing, could be replaced by higher-density development, leaving uncertainty about future costs and fees.

Barrington supports responsible growth, but these decisions should remain local and grounded in careful planning. The Village will continue to share updates and information about this legislation in the coming months. I encourage you to visit the Village’s website to stay informed.”

Related: “(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers,” “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

 

Posted in Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Unions, Village Code, Zoning Board | 1 Comment »

Chicago mayor links restaurant industry to ‘slavery’ as tipped wage fight intensifies

April 19, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Chicago Mayor claims restaurant industry is ‘tied to slavery’

By Elaine Mallon | Fox News

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson linked the restaurant industry to “slavery” Wednesday as he defended his push to eliminate the tipped wage, doubling down after surviving a City Council effort to block the policy.

Johnson’s remarks came after the Chicago City Council failed to override his veto of a measure that would have halted the city’s phaseout of the subminimum wage for tipped workers — a policy set to raise base pay to the full minimum wage by 2028 that is opposed by restaurant owners who warn it could drive up prices and cut jobs.

He called on Chicagoans to “challenge city council not to do stuff like take wages away from Black and Brown people,” saying that most workers in the service industry who rely on tips are minorities.

“You just watched the entire city council, in transparency, try to take wages away from the very people who are part of an industry that has its ties to slavery is hiding from that,” Johnson said. “I am boldly declaring that we need reparations in this city, and that’s why I’m funding it.”

City aldermen voted last month to end the wage increase for tipped workers, but Johnson vetoed it.

Restaurant owners and associations have pushed back on the city’s phaseout of the subminimum wage, saying it will shrink their already tight profit margins. Chicago’s City Council failed to meet the 34-vote requirement to overturn the phaseout.

Johnson’s comments came in response to a question from a person who claimed that Johnson’s Reparations Task Force was not in compliance with Illinois state law, which mandates that all public bodies hold public meetings. Johnson denied the assertion that his task force, which he launched in June 2024, was not being transparent with the public.

Article continues here.

 

Posted in Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Entertainment, Fox News, Overhead, Politics, Unions | 2 Comments »

(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

April 18, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Image courtesy PridesCrossing

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers to pitch in.

After announcing the Building Up Illinois Developments Plan during his budget address in February, the governor urged support for it Friday at the City Club of Chicago.

Pritzker said the BUILD Plan is ambitious and comprehensive.

“It’s designed to eliminate unnecessary barriers and lower costs for housing construction and renovation, produce a wider range of family-friendly housing types and streamline permitting,” the governor said.

Pritzker said Illinois faces a gap of more than 142,000 housing units and needs to build about 225,000 units over the next five years.

The governor said most of the BUILD Plan would not cost taxpayers anything, but he said there would be an investment.

“The BUILD Plan also includes about $250 million to help spur development of housing and help people to afford housing,” Pritzker said.

Article continues here.

Related: “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

Posted in Clown Car, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, FUBAR, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Topics Of Interest, Zoning Board | Leave a Comment »

Join the BACT for an Earth Day Celebration at Pederson and Rieke Family Preserves

April 18, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Barrington Hills, IL – Located adjacent to Flint Creek at the southwest corner of Lake Cook and Hart Roads, these preserves serve as a vital link between prairies, wetlands, and other conserved lands. They are also valued outdoor classrooms for Barrington High School students and reflect the community’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Event Highlights:

  • 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Drop-in volunteer restoration activities
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Short presentation during a student class period (exact time TBD)

Participants are welcome to join at any time throughout the day to assist with planting native species grown by District 220 students. Community volunteers, local officials, D220 faculty and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust will be on site to support the effort.

Melissa Kinast, Executive Director of BACT, shares, “Over the past decade, we’ve watched these preserves come back to life through thoughtful restoration. Today, that work is visible in the return of wildlife, improving water quality in the vernal pools, and the remarkable presence of lightning bugs that light up the landscape on summer evenings. Earth Day is an opportunity to share that progress with the community and continue building on it together.”

All are welcome to participate and experience the impact of conservation at the local level.

For more information, please email bactrust1@gmail.com. (Website under construction; visit our social media for up-to-date information.)

About Barrington Area Conservation Trust:

The Barrington Area Conservation Trust is committed to preserving open land, natural beauty, and biodiversity in the Barrington area, fostering a connection between people and the environment through conservation, education, and stewardship.

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Posted in BACT, Going green, Press Release, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Village of Barrington posts “E-Mobility Device” reminders

April 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“As the weather warms up, the Village is thrilled to see more people walking and biking around town. As a reminder, under current state law, the use of low-speed e-scooters on any public rights-of-way within the Village remains illegal. Likewise, the use of other e-mobility devices, such as e-bikes and gas bikes, within certain public rights-of-way, including sidewalks, remains illegal.

The use of many of these e-mobility devices is also restricted by age. Low-speed gas bikes and Class 3 low-speed e-bikes may only be used by people who are at least 16 years old. In communities outside of the Village that have authorized low-speed e-scooter use, they may be used only by people who are at least 18 years old.

The Secretary of State is currently prioritizing the coordination of legislation to provide the necessary definitions for these various classes of devices, as well as additional regulations governing their use to ensure consistent regulatory standards throughout the state.

The Village will share more information on that legislation and the associated regulations once they are finalized and approved. Until that time, we remain committed to the safe use of our rights-of-way, including the roadway and sidewalk. The public is encouraged to report the reckless use of e-mobility devices via 911 so our police department can respond and address the situation.”

Related: “Illinois Senate Unanimously Passes Giannoulias E-Bike Bill”

Posted in Public Safety, School Districts, Springfield | Leave a Comment »

Illinois Senate Unanimously Passes Giannoulias E-Bike Bill

April 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Photo by: Martin Schutt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Illinois Senators (Wednesday) approved a sweeping statewide safety initiative spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to address the growing dangers posed by unregulated high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other powerful electric transportation devices operating on streets, bike lanes and sidewalks across the state.

The initiative focuses on higher-powered, higher-speed devices that fall outside current state definitions or remain largely unregulated, including certain e-bikes, e-motos and electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles. Illinois currently has no laws governing e-bikes and other micromobility devices that exceed 28 mph. Many of these devices have motors that exceed 750 watts and can travel well beyond 28 mph – in some cases over 50 mph – yet are not clearly addressed under existing law.

Illinois will maintain its current three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motor assistance up to 28 mph – a framework already used in 46 other states. Under the proposal, those classifications would remain unchanged except for new age requirements that a rider on a Class 1 or Class 2 must be at least 15 years old.

Under the legislative framework:

  • Riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph would be required to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.
  • High-speed micromobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles would be prohibited from operating over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks. In addition, riders of any electric micromobility device must be at least 16 years old.
  • The legislation establishes statewide consistency, replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances that vary widely from one municipality to another.

If signed into law, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2027. E-bikes and e-motos purchased prior to that date would be exempt from the title requirement but must still be registered.

Along with the legislation, the Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign will deliver:

  • Statewide public awareness outreach for parents, riders and retailers,
  • Updated driver education materials focused on sharing the road safely,
  • Law enforcement guidance and community safety partnerships, and
  • Outreach to schools and municipalities on responsible micromobility use.

The initiative is part of the Secretary of State’s broader effort to modernize transportation safety laws and respond proactively to emerging technologies before preventable injuries and fatalities continue to rise.

The full release can be read here.

Posted in E-bikes, Entertainment, Politics, Press Release, School Districts, Springfield, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

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