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Village Board of Trustees meet Monday

May 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting tomorrow evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] Board of Health Appointment:
    Frank Konicek – Chairman, one-year term
  • [Vote] Riding Club Commission Appointments:
    Elaine Ramesh – Chairman & Member, each a one-year term
    Mary Beth Holsteen – Member, one-year term
    Susan Helenowski – Member, one-year term
    Vicki Kelly – Member, one-year term
  • [Vote] Plan Commission Appointments:
    Matthew Vondra – Chairman, one-year term & Member, 3-year term
    Christopher Geier – Member, three-year term
    Brent Burval – New Nominee* for Member, three-year term
  • [Vote] Zoning Board of Appeals Appointments:
    Gina Koertner – Member, five-year term
    John Gigerich – Member, five-year term
  • [Vote] Police Pension Board Trustees Appointments:
    Christopher Krzysko, Two-year term
    George Panos, Two-year term
  • Register Now: Land We Love Run 5K/10K Celebrating America250 on June 28, 2026

A copy of their agenda, including info on listening to the meeting, can be viewed and downloaded here.

*No bio provided

Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Board of Health, Building Department, Clown Car, Conflict of interest, Data Center, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, ePacket Agendas, Ethics, Finance Committee, Folds of Honor, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lennie, Massbach Hounds, Minutes, One Barrington Hills, Organizations, Plan Commission, Plum Farm development, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Roads & Bridges Committee, The Land We Love Run, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Tree Preservation Ordinance, 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 »

Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

May 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Photo: Ezekiel See / Unsplash

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal Newsline

A mother from Chicago’s far northwest suburbs has lodged a lawsuit against her child’s public school district, accusing Community Unit School District 300 of allegedly attempting to secretly transition her child’s gender and of blocking the parent’s attempt to learn more about what was happening and be involved, even when the student struggled with suicidal thoughts and required hospitalization for mental health purposes.

However, the class action lawsuit also seeks to more broadly overturn policies at the district and potentially throughout Illinois, which the mother and her lawyer claim trample parents’ constitutional rights.

On May 10, attorney Ajay Gupta, of Naperville, filed suit in Chicago federal court against District 300.

Based in the village of Algonquin, District 300 ranks as the sixth largest public school district in Illinois, has a student population of more than 20,000 students from communities within a 118 square mile radius in Chicago’s northwest suburbs mostly in Kane County, near the McHenry County line.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a named plaintiff, identified in the complaint only as S.K. According to the complaint, she is the mother of a student at one of the district’s three high schools. District 300 high schools include Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville, Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, and Hampshire High School in Hampshire.

The complaint does not identify which high school the student attended.

According to the complaint, staff at the student’s school allegedly began in 2022 using “alternate name and pronouns” for S.K.’s child, identified in the complaint only as T.K.

The complaint asserts the student at that time “experienced declining mental health and difficulty completing schoolwork.”

Report continues here.

Posted in 300, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Legal Newsline, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, School Districts, Springfield, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Rookie suburban mayors navigate growth, conflict and change during first year

May 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Barrington Village President Mike Moran is focusing on revitalizing the village’s infrastructure during his first term. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

The suburbs saw significant turnover in municipal leadership after the 2025 election.

Eight new leaders assumed the helm of their communities in the Northwest suburbs and Lake County, while 12 took over in DuPage and Kane counties.

Now that these first-term mayors and village presidents are celebrating their anniversaries, many are looking back on a year faced with challenges as diverse as the communities they serve — from budget shocks and staff shake-ups to landing an NFL team.

A big vision for a small town

Barrington Village President Mike Moran, who succeeded longtime President Karen Darch after five years as a trustee and with a background as a trucking firm owner, said there was a learning curve. But he sees the new job as an opportunity to put his stamp on the village, and that has meant focusing on the town’s revitalization.

“How do we rebuild our infrastructure? How do we address those infrastructure needs that are desperate — roads, sewers, wastewater treatment, water systems,” he said.

Moran is especially focused on downtown upgrades. The village is completing a downtown streetscape project, has expanded the communications team and hired a business development staffer. It also has launched a social media campaign called “Where is President Moran” highlighting local businesses.

He also is working to upgrade the village’s public profile — saying “Barrington is open for business” — and to position the community as a hub for surrounding areas, emphasizing that Barrington serves as a church, bar, restaurant and grocery center for nearby towns such as Barrington Hills and Inverness.

Read the full unedited article here.

Posted in BACOG, Daily Herald, Elections, Entertainment, Politics, Real Estate, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Hey Brian and David: Touch A Truck Tuesday!

May 16, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Touch A Truck 2026!
Tuesday, May 19, 9:30 AM – Noon | Drop In
Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway
With the Village of Barrington’s Public Works Department
All ages w/caregiver (Anna)

“Get your hard hat, put on a mustache, and get to work exploring the Barrington Public Works department’s fleet of awesome vehicles! Blow the horn, turn the steering wheel, and see what it’s like to drive a BIG rig! Join in a construction-themed story time, and join us in filling a truck with non-perishable food for the Public Works food drive for our two local township food pantries. Hats and mustaches while supplies last!

This event is VERY popular, so consider walking, carpooling, or exploring nearby public parking options. Thanks for your patience – we look forward to seeing you!”

Posted in Barrington Area Library, Education, Entertainment | 1 Comment »

South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie provides an update of Pritzker’s proposed BUILD Act

May 16, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Posted yesterday, May 15:

“This week, I attended the Northwest Municipal Conference meeting where one of the major topics discussed was a status update regarding the proposed Build Illinois Act (BUILD).

As many of you know, the Governor and state legislators are working to advance legislation that could significantly impact local zoning authority throughout Illinois. If passed, the BUILD Act would allow the State greater control over zoning and development decisions that have historically been managed at the local level by municipalities and their residents.

While supporters argue the bill is intended to address housing shortages and increase development opportunities, many communities, including ours, are concerned about the potential loss of local control and the one-size-fits-all approach the legislation could create.  Every community has unique infrastructure, traffic patterns, environmental considerations, and development goals, and many believe these decisions are best made locally rather than mandated at the state level.  One of the things the Bill requires is that municipalities allow up to 8- unit multi-family buildings in all single-family zoning districts while drastically reducing the minimum lot sizes and setback requirements.

Below are some of the examples and challenges on this part of the bill that communities may face should this bill pass.

Both the Illinois Municipal League (IML), representing 1,294 municipalities statewide, and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, representing approximately 275 cities, towns, and villages, oppose the bill in its current form. For those concerned, I encourage all residents to contact your Legislators and Governor’s office and make your voices heard regarding your concerns with this proposed legislation.

Darby Hills, State Senate
Springfield Office: 217-782-8010, District Office: 224-662-4544

Marty McLaughlin, State Representative
RepMcLaughlin@gmail.com
Springfield Office: 217-782-1517, District Office: 224-634-8300

Nabeela Syed, State Representative
info@repsyed.com
Springfield Office: 217-782-3696, District Office: 773-916-6553

Governors Office

Springfield
817-782-6830 or 217-782-6831
Chicago
312-814-2121 or 312-814-2122

IMPORTANT AND HELPFUL LINKS BELOW:

  • Full Building Up Illinois Act HERE
  • Informative presentation put together by the City of Peoria with more examples of what the suggested changes could look like in our community: LINK HERE“

Thank you so much, Mayor McCombie!

Related: “Pritzker’s affordable housing plan gets Senate hearing as municipalities remain opposed,” “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 BACOG, Data Center, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Guest Essay, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Unions, Village Code, Zoning Board | 1 Comment »

Convicted former Illinois Speaker gives Pritzker advice (from prison)

May 16, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Rich Hein, Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

Quick Hits | The Center Square

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan – from federal prison over corruption charges – penned an op-ed this week calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to accept the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program.

The program, which Pritzker has been reluctant to opt the state into, would allow people to deduct up to $1,700 from their federal taxes if they donate to a qualifying K-12 scholarship granting program.

Republicans in Springfield also called on Pritzker to opt in this week.

Both Madigan and the Republicans argued the governor is putting politics over the needs of citizens.

Find more news here.

Posted in Economy, Education, Fat Bastard, Politics, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

University of Chicago Waives Tuition for Families Making Under $250,000

May 15, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The University of Chicago campus. | E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune, via ZUMA Press Wire

By Vimal Patel | The New York Times

The University of Chicago will provide free tuition to students of families earning less than $250,000 a year, creating one of the most generous financial-aid offers in the nation at a moment when lawmakers and parents are scrutinizing the value of a college degree.

Colleges have been in a race to raise the income limits for free tuition in recent years. The university’s announcement on Wednesday explained the move as a way to make an institution with a $98,000-per-year sticker price more accessible to students from modest backgrounds.

“By deepening our commitment to affordability, we are helping to ensure that the brightest minds can join us,” Paul Alivisatos, the university’s president, said in a statement.

Chicago joins Princeton in raising its threshold for tuition to $250,000. Other selective schools have raised their income limits for free tuition to $200,000 in recent years, including Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania.

Article continues here.

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, New Normal?, The New York Times, The Other Half | Leave a Comment »

ComEd electric customers brace for double-digit spike in bills

May 15, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

AI data centers are helping drive up costs for consumers as demand is beginning to threaten the power supply. | Image courtesy ComEd/Shutterstock

By Brett Chase | WBEZ Chicago

ComEd electric customers will see at least a 12% jump in monthly charges starting in June as big data centers increase demand for power and an unrelated consumer credit ends.

The average monthly residential bill is $107, according to ComEd, but that charge will jump to at least $120 as more high-tech operations suck up electricity. A credit related to nuclear power and renewable energy that was a temporary relief from high rates is also set to end at the end of this month.

The majority of the monthly increase is due to the credit expiring, but as much as a quarter of that jump in cost is due to the high demand of power and prices set by a multistate grid operator known as PJM Interconnection.

The upcoming increase follows a double-digit spike in electric bills a year ago credited almost entirely to the rise of data centers, most of which are powering artificial intelligence applications.

And the data center trend doesn’t appear to be slowing.

ComEd says there are more than 80 data centers in Northern Illinois using massive amounts of power. In a state filing last year, the utility said there were another 75 proposed commercial projects in the region that also would be large electricity users.

The estimated power use for those proposed operations is far more than the electricity currently being produced, ComEd said. It’s not clear how many of those proposed operations will actually go forward.

Article continues here.

Posted in AI, BOHICA, Data Center, SNAFU, Unions, WBEZ Chicago | Leave a Comment »

Parent sues District 300 over student’s gender transition

May 15, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Alicia Fabbre | Daily Herald

Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 is being sued by a parent who claims her constitutional rights were violated when the district aided her child’s gender transition without parental involvement.

The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court on behalf of the mother of a high school student.

“This case challenges a public school district’s policies, practices and customs of subjecting minor students to psychological and identity-based interventions, while deliberately excluding their parents from participation, consent and even knowledge,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed by Naperville attorney Ajay Gupta.

The lawsuit, which refers to the mother only by her initials, seeks class action status to include other District 300 parents who dealt with similar situations.

District 300 officials did not return repeated calls for comment this week. When reached by phone, two District 300 school board members declined comment and directed calls to the district’s communications team.

Gupta also did not return calls for comment.

The lawsuit was filed less than two weeks after the U.S. Department of Justice announced an investigation into more than three dozen Illinois school districts, including Crystal Lake-based Community High School District 155, over policies and curricula related to gender and sexuality.

According to the lawsuit, District 300 “socially transitioned minor students at school” while withholding information from parents.

Report continues here.

Posted in 300, Daily Herald, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Mad Cows, Politics, School Districts | Leave a Comment »

Illinois ranks 46th (And that’s by cheating!) out of 50 states for financial transparency

May 14, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Illinois received zero points for balance sheet transparency”

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the state’s slow fiscal reporting.

Truth in Accounting’s Financial Transparency Score 2026 report evaluates how effectively each state discloses its true financial condition through audited reports.

Truth in Accounting founder & CEO Sheila Weinberg said Illinois taxpayers are not given information on a timely basis.

“The voters and the elected officials are making budget decisions and other financial decisions without the most recent data,” Weinberg told The Center Square.

Illinois’ 2026 financial transparency score of 51 ranked 46th in the country on a report that evaluates audit quality, timeliness, pension reporting and accounting practices.

Weinberg said Illinois improved from a disclaimer opinion to a qualified opinion.

“They still can’t get their act together on their unemployment trust funds, so that’s why they received a qualified opinion,” Weinberg said.

Read on here.

Posted in Fools and their money, Springfield, The Center Square, Transparency | Leave a Comment »

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