The Village Board of Trustees meets this evening at 6:30 PM in the Cecola Room. Yesterday we posted the meeting would be Monday, the day it typically takes place.
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.
Posted in ePacket Agendas, Village Board | Leave a Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM.
The only item of significance on their agenda appears to be recognition of William Walsh for 33 years of service. A copy of their agenda, including info on listening to the meeting, can be viewed and downloaded here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Clown Car, Economy, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Flock Cameras, Heritage and Environs Committee, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lennie, One Barrington Hills, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board | Leave a Comment »
The governor also tried to distance himself from the increases by pointing to the board — which he appointed.
By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute
Gov. J.B. Pritzker both defended the toll hikes that were approved last week and sought to distance himself from them.
Pritzker appointed all eight Illinois Tollway board members who signed off unanimously on the increases, which include the largest passenger hike in state history.
Asked about the rate increases last week at the Illinois State Fair, Pritzker said they were necessary to ensure Illinois has proper road infrastructure to keep the state competitive for commercial activity.
“Let’s be clear. We want to make sure that our roads are pothole-free, that we’re making sure to build more so we can build our economy across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
He also defended the hikes in June at an unrelated event.
“It’s something that they need to do in order to make sure that we have the best roads, the best infrastructure, and I think that’s something that you may overlook may when you contemplate why they would consider this,” Pritzker said.
But also at the fair, he said, “That was something voted on by the tollway authority.”
Under Illinois law, the governor appoints the nine-member tollway board (it’s currently eight members) and serves as an ex-officio member along with the state Transportation Secretary.
Pritzker and the transportation secretary did not vote.
Report continues here.
Posted in Appointments, Clown Car, Deception, Elections, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions | 1 Comment »
By Brittany Madonna, The Nest Schools
The Nest Schools recently announced plans to open a new school at 850 E. Main St. in East Dundee this fall. The location will mark The Nest Schools’ fourth school in the Chicago area, joining locations in Barrington, Crystal Lake and Vernon Hills.
The former childcare center will undergo renovations to the interior of the building along with upgrades to its outdoor play spaces. The Nest Schools of East Dundee will serve approximately 125 children, ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten, and is expected to create 30 jobs in the community.
“We’re excited to welcome East Dundee families to The Nest Schools,” said Jessica VanHoose, CEO of The Nest Schools. “Everything we do is grounded in creating meaningful experiences for children and supporting the families who count on us every day. We look forward to bringing that commitment to East Dundee and building strong connections within the community.”
The East Dundee school will offer The Nest Schools’ Nest Play Curriculum, which blends purposeful play with kindergarten readiness, along with enrichment programs focused on wellness, art, music, and practical life skills, all included as part of every child’s experience.
Pre-enrollment is now open for The Nest Schools of East Dundee. Families who enroll as Founding Families and begin care within 30 days of the school’s opening will receive 10% off tuition for their first year.
The school is expected to open in fall 2026. Families interested in learning more, pre-enrolling, or receiving updates can visit thenestschool.com/locations/east-dundee/.
Posted in Education | Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) Executive Board is scheduled to meet this evening at 7:00 PM at the Tower Lakes Village Hall, 400 North Rt. 59.
Meeting agendas are not posted by BACOG, nor are minutes, but their website does state, “Copies of approved minutes for BACOG committee and executive board meetings are available upon request. Please submit requests by email to bacog@bacog.org.
Posted in Animal Welfare, BACOG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Village Government | Leave a Comment »
People enter the Cook County treasurer’s office in downtown Chicago, Nov. 20, 2025. Cook County property taxes are going up again for the vast majority of homeowners and business owners. | Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
By A.D. Quig | Chicago Tribune
Cook County property taxes are going up again for the vast majority of homeowners and business operators who will finally get their bills next month after another round of delays.
Of the 1.8 million bills set to hit mailboxes Sept. 1, about 1.3 million residences and 100,000 businesses will see an increase, according to Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ annual analysis.
The total property tax bill for every city, town, school district and other taxing body across Cook County is more than $19.9 billion — an increase of about $744 million (or 3.9%) compared with last year. It’s the 32nd straight annual increase, according to the report.
Nearly all taxing agencies across the county raised their property tax levies this year, the analysis found. About 60% increased them by more than the 3.1% rate of inflation.
Of that new sum, homeowners will pay nearly $600 million, while business properties like offices, factories and big apartment buildings will pay the rest.
The biggest changes will be felt in suburban communities north of North Avenue, who had their properties reassessed in 2025. Growth in home values there “significantly outpaced” those for businesses, the report said, shifting 2% more of the region’s overall tax burden onto homeowners.
Unlike the major spike last cycle that saw a historic 15.7% increase in median bills across the northern suburbs, the median tax bill for homeowners there climbed by 6.7% this year to $8,007, per the analysis.
Report continues here.
Posted in 220, Board of Education, Chicago Tribune, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Look For The Union Label, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions | Leave a Comment »
Butterfly milkweed (Asceplias tuberosa), shown here growing companionably with a non-native geranium, is one of the pollinator-friendly prairie plants that do well in gardens.
By Beth Botts | For the Chicago Tribune
A prairie is in its glory in late summer, with varied flowers, grasses just beginning to go golden, and bees and butterflies everywhere. It may make you think, “I wish I could take this home.”
Well, you can, or at least plants from it. “Many prairie plants can do well in a home garden, if you choose them carefully to match the sun and soil conditions in your yard,” said Michael Jesiolowski, manager of the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Late summer, when you can visit restored sites such as the Schulenberg Prairie at The Morton Arboretum, is a good time to plan for adding more native plants to the garden next spring.
Don’t limit yourself to summer bloomers. “Planting a wide range of species that flower at different times gives us a beautiful garden all season,” said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum. “It also will be of benefit to a lot of different pollinators.”
A garden that includes native plants is not the same as a wild-growing prairie. “Native gardens do need to be maintained so they don’t become weed patches,” Yiesla said. Without regular weeding, native plants can become overgrown and choked by the same non-native weeds that grow everywhere else. Like any perennials, prairie plants will need regular watering for at least a year or two, until their roots are established.
Some of the most common perennials in Midwestern gardens, such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan and bee balm, are prairie species, but they aren’t the only options.
“There are many prairie species to choose from,” Jesiolowski said. “Just make sure you research the plant carefully, so you know how large it will get, whether it will fit in your space, and whether you have the sun for it. Ask the same questions you would ask about any other perennials.”
Here are some plants from the prairie that Yiesla and Jesiolowski suggest you consider.
Royal catchfly (Silene regia): Tall stems bear fabulously red star-shaped summer flowers that attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies. Rare in the wild, royal catchfly does well in full-sun gardens.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Grasses provide a contrast for garden perennials. This one grows in 3-foot-tall clumps that are soft blue-green in spring and early summer, changing to shades of orange, red and purple in fall.
Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): This plant, which likes moist soils, has tall spikes of clear blue flowers in August.
Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata): Magenta flowers appear in late spring and early summer on this low plant that will spread like a ground cover. Native to the shortgrass prairies of the Great Plains, it’s suited to poor, gravelly soils.
Goldenrod (Solidago species): Much of the gold in late summer and early fall comes from goldenrods, with their whisks of tiny yellow flowers. There are 22 species of goldenrod native to different habitats in the Chicago region, from prairies to woods. Be sure to choose one that fits your particular situation.
White turtlehead (Chelone glabra): The blooms’ rolled-up petals remind some of a turtle’s head peeking out of its shell. The plant does well in wet areas and will tolerate part shade.
Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis): This graceful grass, growing about 2 feet tall, has slender green blades that turn golden in late summer, with a buttered-popcorn fragrance.
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): With vivid orange summer blooms, this is one of the milkweeds that monarch butterflies need. It is shorter than common milkweed and less likely to reseed all over a garden.
For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.
Posted in Chicago Tribune, The Morton Arboretum, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »
Join us at Crabtree Nature Center for our largest annual Art in Nature Festival on August 30th from 11am to 3pm!
- African Drumming Workshop at 11:30am
- Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance will be performing at 1pm.
- Create your own masterpiece using clay, watercolors, collage and more!
Learn about resources from our partners the Barrington Area Library , Trickster Cultural Center, University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists and Gardeners, and many others.
Art and honey for sale. Julio’s Tacos and Kona Ice will be available for purchase. This event is FREE!
Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, Education, Entertainment, FPDCC | Leave a Comment »
Believe it or not, candidates running in the Consolidated April 2027 Election may begin their petition circulation next week. According to records we found in a search of the Cook County Clerk’s Office (not always up to date), the terms of these elected officials will be ending:
- Jessica Hoffmann
- John Carpenter Clarke
- Marsha McClary
- Barry Altshuler, Vice President
- Diana L. Clopton, Secretary
- Leah Collister-Lazzari
Barrington Hills Park District/Riding Club
- Jill Zubak, Vice President
- Steven E. Allen, Secretary
- 3rd seat undefined from available records
- Jennifer J. Lucas
- Anne Ordway
- Dr. Tricia Elliott (Appointed 8.19.26 to replace William Kelley)
- Nancy N. Robb, Secretary
- Diane G. Hill
To our knowledge, no one has declared their candidacy for any of these seats. However, it would be decent of those listed above to communicate their intentions sooner than later.
Those considering running for office are encouraged to contact the Illinois State Board of Elections for guidance on getting started if they’ve not already.
Source: Cook County Clerk’s Office
Posted in Appointments, Barrington Area Library, Barrington Hills Park District, Board of Elections, Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Ethics, Fundraisers, Illinois State Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, Look For The Union Label, One Barrington Hills, Politics, Resident Spotlights, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, School Districts, SOS Party, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unite Barrington Hills, Village Board, Your Barrington Hills | Leave a Comment »
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
According to a new report on financial red flags, Illinois has a higher debt ratio than any other state and Chicago is the most financially tenuous place in America.
Reason Foundation used audited financial reports from state governments and the nation’s 100 largest cities, counties and school districts to evaluate them in eight measures of financial health.
Reason Foundation Research Director Geoff Lawrence said Illinois is way upside down, with a debt ratio of 276%.
“It has way more debt than assets, $80 billion in total assets versus $220 billion in debt, so if you were to try to liquidate all of the state’s assets to pay off all its debts, it would be impossible,” Lawrence told The Center Square.
The report also flagged Illinois for liabilities per capita and unrestricted net position.
Lawrence said Chicago residents are facing heavy city and county debt on top of federal and state debt.
“In addition to what you owe to the federal government in terms of outstanding debt per citizen, you owe substantial amounts as well to every level of local government,” Lawrence said, adding that the city continues to dig the hole.
“They outspent revenues by about $580 million in the last year for which we have data,” Lawrence said.
Read on here.
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, Springfield, The Center Square, Unions | Leave a Comment »
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- Pritzker defends 57% toll hike approved by board he appointed
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- Poll: Taxes, economy top concerns for Illinoisans
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