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Candidate Erin Chan Ding’s opinion on Data Centers

March 11, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Quote of Erin Chan Ding from League of Women Voters debate with Maria Peterson on February 14, 2026:

“Data Centers right now are obviously a huge issue, an electric issue, no pun intended, and we’ve heard communities speak out against their implementation because of some of the environmental costs. At the same time… you know, we are— our public, our children, they are already hooked on AI and artificial intelligence.

Data centers are going to be built, and if they’re not going to be built in Illinois, they’re going to be built in other states… Data Centers … are a huge water suck, but this problem has begun to be addressed through the use of gray water.

Data Centers provide huge property tax relief, potentially. So, I think we need to consider that as well… I’ve been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, which includes ironworkers and operating engineers, and these are hundreds of thousands of jobs…” ~ Erin Chan Ding

How many Data Centers is Erin Chan Ding proposing to build in our community if she thinks they would be providing “hundreds of thousands of jobs” for AFL – CIO workers?

Why is Erin Chan Ding willing to sell out our community for the “potential” for property tax relief when it is apparent that Pritzker, who Chan Ding is banking on getting campaign donations from, initiatives provide sales and use tax exemptions for Data Centers for up to 20 years?

How will she protect our aquifers? And why is she willing to destroy our tranquil environment for political gain?

We’ll pass on voting for Chan Ding and suggest you do the same!

Posted in 220, BACOG, Board of Education, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, League of Women Voters, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Well Water Quality, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 1 Comment »

Barrington Golden Triangle developers: Multifamily development can handle traffic

March 11, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Rendering of The Residences at Liberty Commons | Courtesy of the Barrington Development Co.

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

Developers aiming to build a $100 million residential complex at Barrington’s Golden Triangle addressed village trustees’ concerns about traffic, while also emphasizing the need to fast-track the project.

The proposal for The Residences at Liberty Commons calls for 16 studio apartments, 119 one-bedroom, 66 two-bedroom, six three-bedroom and 16 townhouses (223 units).

Michael Fleck and Nick Marrocco of the Barrington Development Co. told trustees Monday they will have their traffic consultant, KLOA, conduct a full traffic study of the area, which is already clogged with traffic.

“I think our interests are definitely aligned here,” Fleck said. “We want to make sure that the development is good for Barrington, good for the residents and no further burden.”

Fleck said the overall conclusion of an initial study is the development, bounded by Liberty, Hough and the railroad tracks, will have a modest effect on the surrounding street network.

Fleck noted the development’s location is less than a half-mile from the Barrington Metra station.

Article continues here.

Related: “New residential development floated for Barrington’s Golden Triangle”

Posted in 220, Daily Herald, EJ&E/Canadian National, Land Use, METRA, Real Estate, School Districts, Transparency, U.S. Route 14 Underpass | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills Park District (Riding Cult) meets tonight

March 11, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Cult of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:

  • Horse Statues
  • Park Board Advocacy Protocol

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Commercial Horse Boarding, Cost of Living, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, HARPS, Horizon Farm, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Massbach Hounds, Overhead, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Barrington plans to borrow $1.6 million for streetscape improvements

March 10, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Streetscape enhancements in downtown Barrington the intersection of Cook and Station streets. | Courtesy of Barrington/Kimley-Horn

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

Barrington officials updated the village board Monday with a plan to borrow $1.6 million to fund phase one of the village’s downtown streetscape improvement plan.

Aaron Gold of Speer Financial Group spoke before the board, telling trustees the funds could be secured late next month.

Deputy Village Manager Marie Hansen said work on the first phase on Station Street between Hough Street and Grove Avenue and Cook Street between Main and Lake streets, as well as a portion of Park Avenue, will begin later this month or early next.

The scope of work includes the removal of pavers, installation of new sidewalks and clay brick accents, relocation of the trash enclosure on Station Street and enhanced landscaping throughout.

Hansen said the entire project, including the second phase at Main and Hough streets, is likely to cost $3.5 million.

Article continues here.

Posted in Daily Herald, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

An easy way to get more education money for Illinois

March 10, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants more federal funding. A new program would provide donor money— but he must opt in.

By Mailee Smith | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants a bipartisan effort from Illinois lawmakers to demand more education money from the federal government.

Yet Pritzker himself hasn’t taken a simple step to get more funding for Illinois students.

If he wants to keep money in Illinois and away from the Trump administration, the answer is easy: Opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program, which provides a tax credit to donors who give money that can go to public, private or homeschool students.

If the governor doesn’t opt in, that money will flow out of the state — exactly where he doesn’t want it to go.

Pritzker demands more money from the federal government

Pritzker didn’t mince words in his annual budget address last month. He blames the Trump administration for stripping Illinoisans of billions of dollars — and he wants it back.

“I want to say to anyone on either side of the aisle: If you want to talk about our (fiscal) 2027 budget, you must first demand the return of the money and resources this president has taken from the people of Illinois,” he said.

Two days later, the governor sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding a refund of $1,700 for every Illinois family. The letter followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down the presidents’ tariffs. Pritzker says the tariffs have cost Illinoisans over $8.6 billion.

But Pritzker has the means to keep at least some Illinois tax money from flowing to Washington. The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program would do exactly what he wants: keep money in the state while costing nothing.

To do that, he must opt into the program.

Pritzker could get more money for kids

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program provides a dollar-for-dollar annual tax credit up to $1,700 for donors to scholarship-granting organizations. Those organizations then provide money to eligible public, private or homeschool children for tutoring, fees for dual enrollment, educational therapies for students with disabilities and other academic needs.

It’s a win-win-win: Students get much-needed education funding, donors get tax credits, and no money is diverted from public schools.

Pritzker must opt the state into the program for students to get the money. Donors will get the tax credit even if he doesn’t.

If Pritzker doesn’t act, that money will go out of Illinois — either to students in other states as education donations or to the federal government in the form of taxes.

To date, at least 28 states have indicated they will opt into the program.

Article continues here.

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Simple Minds, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 3 Comments »

Special Plan Commission meeting this evening

March 10, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Plan Commission will hold a special meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] Approval of a Final Plat of Subdivision (Acorn Corner) made by the Owner of Residential Property Located at 65 Spring Creek Road, PINs 20-29-151-010 and 20- 29-300-002
  • Tree Preservation Regulations – Discussion

A copy of the agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

Posted in Agendas, Land Use, Meeting Minutes, Plan Commission, Tree Preservation Ordinance, Village Attorney, Village Code, Village Director of Administration | Leave a Comment »

Village Adjudication Hearing(s) today

March 10, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The monthly Village Adjudication Hearing(s) is scheduled for today at 11 AM in the MacArthur Board Room.

Posted in Adjudication Hearing, Village Attorney, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

Driver who struck utility pole, causing power outage in Barrington Hills, charged with DUI

March 9, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Daily Herald report

A vehicle striking a utility pole early Saturday morning (5:15 a.m.)  in Barrington Hills caused a temporary power outage in the area before the lines were repaired.

The driver — 31-year-old Alonso Albarran-Vazquez of Wauconda — was treated at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and cited for driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of liquor, failure to reduce speed and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, police said.

More here.

Posted in Accidents, Police Reports, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »

Illinois lawmakers weigh options to change rising property tax

March 9, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Photo: Emilee Calametti / The Center Square

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor

Republican state Rep. Joe Sosnowski has filed legislation he hopes will make life easier on Illinois residents now facing some of the highest property taxes in the country.

With the issue of affordability being a critical one across much of the nation, Sosnowski recently filed House Bill 4626, which seeks to cap rising property taxes by basing costs on the equalized assessed value of a home in the year that it was bought.

Final assessment costs would then not increase for as long as the person owns their home, with the goal being to make housing more attractive and affordable for first-time buyers, working families and fixed income seniors.

“We’re not growing, and one of the biggest problems is we have the highest property tax rate and the highest overall combined tax rate of any of the 50 states,” Sosnowski told The Center Square. “This legislation would be an immediate help to homeowners. It allows people to have an investment that grows, similar to retirement accounts and things that just because they grow in value doesn’t mean you pay more taxes year to year.”

With Illinois also being home to the most local taxing bodies, House Bill 3723 would also cap annual property tax increases at 1% for seniors and House Bill 3724 would cap all such increases for homeowners at 3%.

Article continues here.

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Illinois Federation of Teachers, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Now is the perfect time to prune your garden

March 8, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

A small folding hand saw is best for removing large stems at ground level. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

By Tim Johnson | For the Chicago Tribune

Pruning is my favorite gardening task by far. I prune plants that have gotten overgrown very aggressively, and I suspect that will be the best approach for you, too. Most gardeners are hesitant to prune hard enough to get good results. Overgrown plants have little value in your garden, so if they do not respond well to pruning, you will have an opportunity to add new plants to replace them. The dormant season is the best time of year to do this work, as healthy plants will respond with lots of new growth. I generally start this rejuvenation pruning in the middle of February and finish it before the shrubs start to grow in the spring. This date varies from year to year depending on the weather.

First, identify the shrubs in your garden to better understand how they might respond. Here are some general guidelines that should work for most shrubs. Start by removing large stems at ground level, especially if they have formed mature bark. A small folding hand saw is best for this task, and it will minimize damage to any remaining young stems. It is best to prune at ground level to avoid leaving stubs (which I often see in pruned shrubs). The remaining young stems will need to be cut back if they are spindly and flopping over. It is difficult to give exact height recommendations without seeing a picture of your shrubs, but you will probably end up cutting the remaining stems back to a height of 2 to 3 feet. Make the cuts at an angle 1/4 inch above a bud or side branch when possible. The goal is to encourage growth from the base of the plant, so err on the side of cutting the shrubs back lower than you think they should be. If you do not cut them back hard enough, you will end up with spindly growth rather than with a shrub that is densely branched from the base. This type of pruning is dramatic.

If your shrubs do not have young stems to work with, cut back the thick old stems to about 2 feet, just above the point where there is a young stem. This results in an ugly shrub, but there will be new growth from the old stems and base in most situations. There have been very few occurrences in which I did not get good results from this pruning approach. Since the goal is to remove most of the old stems, prune back thick remaining stems to new canes that develop lower on the stem over the next couple of years. Cut back to shorten any young stems that remain. Once you get these thick old stems to a couple of inches from the ground, you should be able to stop cutting them back, providing you have developed a good-looking shrub.

It’s OK to be much less aggressive when pruning most evergreen shrubs, trying not to cut beyond green foliage. Spreading yews respond to drastic pruning that goes into woody stems with no leaves, but they can be very slow to fill back in. The more aggressive the pruning, the longer it will take for yews to look good again. Plan on at least two to three years for yews to recover. Replacing severely overgrown yews may be the best strategy. Arborvitaes do not respond well to aggressive pruning.

Monitor these shrubs in spring and cut out any dead portions of stems. It is likely that you will have some follow-up pruning to do. Cut back any new growth that is shooting around the other stems to encourage the shrub to develop more densely. Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs and viburnums that formed flower beds the previous year will not flower until next year. It may also be beneficial to fertilize your shrubs in spring and provide extra water during dry spells throughout the growing season.

For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden. 

Posted in Chicago Botanic Garden, Topics Of Interest | 1 Comment »

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