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What’s next for Pritzker’s stalled housing plan?

June 8, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Wood trusses are moved into place on townhomes being built in Pingree Grove last month. A series of proposals backed by Gov. JB Pritzker to encourage more multifamily housing failed to move through the state legislature before its spring session ended. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

By Russell Lissau | Daily Herald

A plan to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois wasn’t the only high-profile legislative proposal not to cross the goal line before the General Assembly’s spring session concluded last weekend.

Neither did Gov. JB Pritzker’s controversial measures encouraging more multifamily housing construction by mandating less-stringent zoning rules.

Named Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD, the proposal was introduced by the governor in February to resolve a housing shortage in the state. It consisted of multiple bills in the state House and Senate and was promoted by Pritzker in the months that followed.

But as the clock ticked down in Springfield, the plan fizzled. No votes were taken on any of the primary BUILD components; in fact, they weren’t even assigned to committees for debate.

“The fact that this proposal did not even make it through committee speaks volumes about how little support it had, even among Democrats,” said Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills, an outspoken BUILD critic.

In a news conference after the General Assembly adjourned, Pritzker said he’ll continue to fight for BUILD. He noted the new state budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars for housing initiatives.

Article continues here.

Related: “Gov. JB Pritzker’s multiunit housing (BUILD Act/Plan) plans for Illinois stall in Springfield’s spring session,” “Why McHenry County officials could ask voters for home rule powers,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie provides an update of Pritzker’s proposed BUILD Act,” “Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans,” “(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 Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Elections, Ethics, Land Use, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Traffic, Unions, Village Code, Zoning Board | Leave a Comment »

CBS features McGraw coyote research

June 8, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The McGraw Report | Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation

CBS highlighted Dr. Stanley Gehrt, head of McGraw’s wildlife research department, and his work with coyotes on the May 24 nationwide broadcast of “Sunday Morning.” Dr. Gehrt, who also is a professor of wildlife ecology at The Ohio State University, has led the Urban Coyote Research Project under McGraw’s aegis for more than 25 years.

“Back in the late 1990s, the concept of a coyote living in an urban setting was basically unheard of,” Dr. Gehrt told the interviewer. “Yet they started appearing in suburban sites around Chicago, and people became concerned or scared.”

Dr. Gehrt’s research has won international recognition for himself and McGraw. It has been described in innumerable research papers, mainstream news outlets, and has helped to launch the careers of many scientists who began their graduate work at McGraw.

In addition, Dr. Gehrt and McGraw Executive Vice President Kerry Luft teamed up to write the 2024 book “Coyotes Among Us,” a distillation of his research for the general public.

“Stan is known as the world’s leading coyote expert for good reason,” Luft said. “Less well known is the fact that he has been a pioneer in technology, including the use of GPS technology to better track coyotes and stable isotope analysis to help understand their diets.

“His research is a source of great pride to the Foundation, and he has become a great friend to many people here at McGraw, including me.”

For the general public, Dr. Gehrt’s message is that coyotes should not automatically be considered dangerous.

“If you’re walking your dog and encounter a coyote, don’t run away,” he told CBS. “If you have a small dog, pick it up and walk away. If you have a large dog, stand still and shout at it, and it should leave.”

With coyotes becoming a common part of the urban landscape, Dr. Gehrt added, “A certain amount of tolerance is necessary.”

As he and Luft wrote in their book, the coyote is an enormously adaptive creature that has survived and thrived even as other predators are wiped out. And they are endlessly fascinating – how else could Dr. Gehrt study them for the better part of three decades and still have plenty of questions worth investigating?

See the video here:

Visit the Urban Coyote Research Project website here:

Copies of Dr. Gehrt’s book “Coyotes Among Us” are available for purchase at Pond Cottage and through numerous online retailers.

Posted in Animal Welfare, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

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 »

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