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Things to do Oct. 9-15: Barrington Fall Wine Walk, Barrington Hills Festivus, Jerry Seinfeld and more

October 8, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Morton Arboretum’s Glass Pumpkin Patch returns Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, in Lisle. | Bev Horne/Daily Herald

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Oct. 9

Glass Pumpkin Patch: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, at The Morton Arboretum’s west lawn, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. More than 8,000 one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins in traditional and unique colors, shapes and sizes. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations. Rain or shine. Presale viewing from 10-11 a.m. Friday. Tickets: mortonarb.org

Windycon 52: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. “Sanctuary Under the Stars” with sci-fi and fantasy panels, author guests, gaming, a vendor hall and an art show. Three-day: $50; $30 for Friday only, $50 for Saturday only and $20 for Sunday only. Free for kids 12 and younger. windycon.org.

Godfrey: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Stand-up comedy. $39.77-$52.62. improv.com/chicago.

Jerry Seinfeld will perform Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Chicago Theatre. | Phil McCarten/AP

Jerry Seinfeld: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $73.70. msg.com.

ETC’s “The Thanksgiving Play”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 220 DuPage St., Elgin. A satire about woke but clueless artists attempting to stage a Thanksgiving pageant with disastrous results. General admission (no reserved seats). $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org/next-production

“From Dust”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at the Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin. Point2point productions’ performance of Eli Campbell’s original work about a doomsday prepper building an underground bunker. Donated pantry goods will be used as props to fill the production’s underground bunker and then be donated to PADS of Elgin after the production closes. $15 plus a $2 service fee per ticket. schaumburgonstage.org/point2pointproductions.

Lucy’s Comedy: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Curated by comic and radio personality John DaCosse. Headliner Mike Marvel featuring Joanna Clark and hosted by Mike Preston. Tickets start at $29. Rauecenter.org.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Barrington Fall Wine Walk: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, check-in at Neoteca, 130 S. Hough St., Barrington. Attendees must check in to receive a souvenir wine glass, Wine Walk tour map and sample tracking sheet. One sample is available at each stop. $50. barringtonchamber.com.

Collect-A-Con: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Trading card, anime and pop culture convention. Scheduled guests include Steve Aoki, Justin Briner, Johnny Bosch, Kyle Herbert, Monica Rial and more. Tickets start at $48.37 for Saturday, $43.22 for Sunday, $63.82 for both days, and free for kids 7 and younger. collectaconusa.com.

Pumpkin Train: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Ride to the pumpkin patch aboard a Halloween-themed electric interurban train. Pick a pumpkin, photos ops, and see an antique farm tractor and hay wagon. $11-$20. irm.org.

“Ofrenda comunitaria del Día de Muertos” exhibit opening: 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10, in Gail Borden Public Library’s Meadows Community Rooms, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Learn more about this Mexican cultural tradition. In English and Spanish. gailborden.info.

Autumn Harvest: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. Crafts, games, hayrides, a scarecrow-building contest, live music, entertainment and more. Food for purchase, including Garibaldi’s Pizza, Kori’s Koop and Poppin’ T’s Kettlecorn. Free. ahpd.org.

DIY Scarecrow Day: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, behind Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 342 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Build a custom scarecrow using clothing and accessories. Register in advance. $10 per scarecrow. longgrove.org/festival/october-days.

St. Olaf Orchestra in Concert: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Richard Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration,” Danzon No. 2 by Arturo Marquez and Hungarian Dances No. 2 by Johannes Brahms. $10; free for students and kids. tickets.eccartscenter.org.

The Illinois Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale comes to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11. | Daily Herald

Illinois Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Illinois Orchid Society, this show will feature artistically arranged tabletop displays from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids. Individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for ribbons. Illinois Orchid Society offers orchid plants for sale as well as repotting services. Included with general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Ghost Story Train: 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride a spooky trolley to the haunted forest preserve for family-friendly frights, including stories around the campfire with treats from Margie’s Girls’ Kitchen. A ghostly musician will lead campfire songs. Costumes welcome. $20. Register at foxtrolley.org/Ghost-Story-Train.

GreenRoom Improv: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Clean, high-energy improv comedy. $17-$24. greenroomimprov.com

Elgin Symphony Orchestra season opener: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Pianist Drew Peterson will perform Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1. Also on the program: Copland’s “Four Dance Episodes” from “Rodeo” and Stravinsky’s “Symphony in Three Movements.” Tickets: elginsymphony.org.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Barrington Hills Fall Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills. Live music by the Sons of Bildor, food, family-friendly events and activities such as pony rides, mechanical bull riding, animal exhibitions and more. Free. barringtonhills-il.gov/fall-fest

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Pumpkin Splash: 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at The Club, 5050 Sedge Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Swim in the pumpkin patch pool to find a pumpkin. Includes pumpkin decorations and a treat for kids. $10-$12. heparks.org.

Monday, Oct. 12

The Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake will host An Evening With David Sedaris Monday, Oct. 12. | Evan Agostini/AP

An Evening With David Sedaris: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A night of wit, wisdom and storytelling with the acclaimed humorist. Tickets start at $84. Rauecenter.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Critics Classics: 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, Elk Grove Village. Hosted by the Chicago Film Critics Association. See “Christine.” $9 or $7 matinee; $7-$6 for 60 and older, $1.50 booking fee. classiccinemas.com.

Movies on the Green: Dusk, no later than 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Centennial Green at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. See “Wicked.” Bring blankets and chairs. Free. mpdowntown.com/events

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 14-18 and 21-25, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hand-carved, LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns staged along a festive paved pathway featuring characters and live pumpkin carving. $20-$24 for adults, $13-$17 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/halloween.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Maureen Corrigan’s “Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading”: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Woodstock Fine Arts Association’s 63rd Annual Creative Living Series features the book critic for NPR’s “Fresh Air.” $33. woodstockoperahouse.com.

Carve & Cocktails: 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10 North, 10 N. Roselle Road, Roselle. 21-and-older event pairs pumpkin carving with a craft cocktail class by a professional bartender. Pumpkin and carving kit included. Register by Oct. 13. $45-$50. rparks.org.

Ongoing

“Defining US, The 250th Anniversary of the United States” exhibit: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April 10, 2027, at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Exhibit examines how wars, elections, protests and cultural changes resonated in DuPage County. Free; donations of $5 or $2 for kids and seniors appreciated. dupagemuseum.org/visit.

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, camel rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions are only available on weekends. $20 on weekdays, $24 in advance online, and $27 at the door on weekends and Columbus Day. Extra fees for some activities. goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkin enrichments for the animals, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3. $7; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Dinos! at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 25 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. See 35 life-sized dinosaurs and more. $20.95-$29.95 and free for kids 2 and younger. brookfieldzoo.org/events

Boo! at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends through Oct. 25, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. Included with admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, though Oct. 31, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, pony and camel rides, Animal Land Zoo, corn maze, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com

Richardson Sunflower Fields: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, sunflower field, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $26, $22 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Jack-O’-Lantern World: Time slots available usually starting around 6:10 p.m. and running through 10:15 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Walk through an immersive, interactive trail featuring over 20 themed worlds with thousands of jack-o’-lanterns hand-carved by over 50 artisans. Daytime experience available from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. $17.99-$29.99; daytime experience $14.99. thejackolanternworld.com/lakezurich.

“Ride the Cyclone”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 25, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The Spirits of St. Cassian High School Chamber Choir return in this musical. $25-$49. metropolisarts.com.

“Come From Away”: Various times Wednesdays through Sundays, through Oct. 18, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Based on the true story of the time when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001. Tickets start at $78.10. marriotttheatre.com.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Fridays through Sundays, through Nov. 1, at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Tickets start at $45. For dates and hours, visit sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Find much more here.

 

Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment | Leave a Comment »

Population loss could cost Illinois a second seat in Congress under Pritzker

October 8, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Data suggest the state is on pace to lose a U.S. representative in 2030.

By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois is on pace to lose its second congressional seat because of population loss under Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Since Pritzker was elected in 2018, Illinois has lost more than 168,000 residents. In a recent poll of Illinois voters, more than half said they would leave the state if given the opportunity.

Of those who would leave, almost 69% cited taxes as a top one or two issue facing Illinois. In 2024, 95% of those leaving Illinois fled to states with lower tax burdens.

Pritzker entered office as Illinois was already struggling with outmigration. He identified reversing it as a goal in his 2019 economic plan.

Nearly eight years later, that has not happened.

Illinois lost a congressional seat after the 2020 census, continuing a decades-long decline in the state’s representation in Washington. Illinois has lost 10 U.S. House seats since 1910, falling from 27 to 17.

Now past the halfway point in the decade, census data suggest that Illinois is on pace to lose another House seat in the reapportionment after the 2030 census.

In 2030, a decennial census will tally the state’s population and determine how congressional seats are distributed nationwide. Despite small population increases from 2023 to 2025 because of international migration, Illinois has lost residents overall under Pritzker’s administration. Also, international migration to Illinois is declining while the state continues to struggle with outmigration.

Read more here.

Posted in Blame Canada, Clown Car, Commodius Maximus, Contests, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Outmigration, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Barrington District 220 teacher, Educator of the Year nominee accused of pulling child down stairs by her hair in Wonder Lake

October 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Daniel E. Gonka, 47, of Wonder Lake, an art teacher at Barbara Rose Elementary School in South Barrington and a 2026 Lake County Educator of the Year nominee, is accused of grabbing a 15-year-old family member by her hair and hooded sweatshirt and pulling her down the stairs in Wonder Lake on September 12. | Photo – Left: Provided; Photo – Right: Barrington 220 School District

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A Barrington District 220 teacher who was nominated for Lake County Educator of the Year this spring was arrested for allegedly grabbing a child family member by her hair and pulling her down the stairs in Wonder Lake.

Daniel E. Gonka, 47, of Wonder Lake, was charged with one count of domestic battery causing bodily harm and one count of domestic battery by making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, both Class A misdemeanors.

The Wonder Lake Police Department arrested Gonka after an incident around 9:52 a.m. on September 12 in Wonder Lake.

Gonka allegedly grabbed a 15-year-old family member by the back of her hooded sweatshirt and her hair and pulled her down the stairs, according to a criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court.

Hair was pulled from the girl’s head and about six inches of entangled hair were observed and documented in photographs, the complaint said.

The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office did not file a petition to detain Gonka and asked the court to set conditions for his pre-trial release.

McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Miller asked that Gonka be ordered not to approach or communicate with the girl and to stay away from a home in Wonder Lake.

Report continues here.

Posted in 220, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, School Districts | Leave a Comment »

Grove Avenue Food Fest Friday

October 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Join us for the Grove Ave Food Fest on Friday, October 9 from 5–8 PM at 900 S. Grove Ave!
Come hungry! Enjoy delicious food from:

  • TacoMotora
  • Happy Lobster
  • Long Story Short
  • The Grilled Cheese Experiment
  • Baker’s Lake Bread
  • Neoteca
  • Naan-Wala’s
  • Top That Froyo
  • ELC, Sunny Hill & Barrington Transitions will each have their own food stands!

Grove will be selling drinks, so grab a beverage, settle in, and enjoy the evening.

  • Music provided by School of Rock
  • Free to attend and everyone is welcome!

Bring blankets, chairs, or small tables. Parking is limited, so please carpool or walk if possible.
A portion of proceeds from all food vendors will benefit Grove Avenue.

Friday, October 9, 2026
5–8 PM
900 S. Grove Ave, Barrington, IL 60010

Source

Posted in Entertainment, School Districts | Leave a Comment »

The Democratic Socialists of America in their own words

October 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Maria Peterson is running for the IL House District 52 seat. Nabeela Syed is running for IL Senate District 26. Currently both choose only to campaign publicly as “Democrats.” | Images courtesy Facebook

Much has been said and written about the, “Democratic Socialists of America (DSA),” in recent months leading to the mid-term elections. Their website states:

“Capitalism is a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit. We must replace it with democratic socialism, a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society.

We believe there are many avenues that feed into the democratic road to socialism. Our vision pushes further than historic social democracy and leaves behind authoritarian visions of socialism in the dustbin of history.

  • We want a democracy that creates space for us all to flourish not just survive and answers the fundamental questions of our lives with the input of all.
  • We want to collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives, such as energy production and transportation.
  • We want the multiracial working class united in solidarity instead of divided by fear.
  • We want to win “radical” reforms like:
    • Single-payer Medicare for All,
    • Defunding the police/refunding communities,
    • The Green New Deal, and
    • More as a transition to a freer, more just life.

We want a democracy powered by everyday people. The capitalist class tells us we are powerless, but together we can take back control.”

They have further stated their priorities, including:

That’s pretty much all we needed to read to form our opinions, and most who have read these pages for nearly two decades know what they likely are.

However, feel free to visit the Democratic Socialists of America website to learn more so that you might be enlightened before reaching your own opinions before casting your ballots.

Related: “Inside the DSA’s audacious quest for power in the Democratic Party“

Posted in AI, Cost of Living, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Elections, Ethics, Fundraisers, His Master's Voice, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The New Normal?, The New York Times, Transparency, Unions, Village Code | 4 Comments »

District 220 Board of Education meets tomorrow tonight

October 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

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

  • Special Public Comment on IASB Resolutions
  • FOIA Reports
  • Personnel Report
  • Declaring Property Surplus and Authorizing its Sale or Disposal
  • Minor Policies
  • Second Reading of Board Policy
  • Consideration to Approve Resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $34,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026A, for the purpose of building and equipping an auditorium and an addition at the Barrington High School Building, altering, repairing and equipping existing buildings, and improving school sites; providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds; and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.
  • Consideration to Approve Mid Suburban League Constitution
  • Consideration to Approve Demographic Study Contract
  • Consideration to Approve Terms of IGA for Proposed Village of South Barrington Higgins Corridor TIF District
  • Board Policy Training
  • Solar Update
  • First Reading of Board Policy

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

Related: “District 220 board members violated campaign policies, investigation finds”

 

Posted in 220, Agendas, AI, BACOG, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Cost of Living, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 1 Comment »

Choice is clear for state representative

October 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

One of the hardest working state representatives we have is a nice guy by the name of Marty McLaughlin. His goals are to cut spending and lower taxes. We couldn’t have a better representative.

Yet his Democrat opponent, Maria Peterson, is running a big money campaign to try to unseat him. She has ads all over TV, for a state rep position. And the ads are nasty, vicious and a distortion of reality.

She does not deserve to represent the people of District 52. And the Democrat party has well established itself as the party of more spending and higher taxes. Illinois property taxes are the highest in the nation, although I guess we are actually temporarily tied with New Jersey for that honor!

So if you want more and higher taxes, then vote for Marty’s opponent Maria Petersen.

If you want lower spending and lower taxes, vote for businessman Marty McLaughlin.

Bill Hartman, Barrington

Daily Herald LTE

Posted in Daily Herald, Elections, Letters to the Editor | 1 Comment »

When Blue States Chase Away Their Billionaires – WSJ

October 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

America’s Governor Ron DeSantis (R., Fla.) cheers Citadel founder Kenneth Griffin at the announcement of Carnegie Mellon University Miami on Thursday. | Jack Dempsey/AP Content Services for Griffin Catalyst/Associated Pres

By James Freeman | Wall Street Journal

An editorial in the Chicago Tribune laments what might have been had “Kenneth C. Griffin not become so frustrated with the state of Illinois as to move himself and much of the financial company he founded, Citadel, to Miami.” The Tribune is responding to the news that Mr. Griffin is moving a whole lot more to Florida after departing the expensive dysfunction of Illinois governance.

The Journal’s Deborah Acosta reported on Wednesday:

Hedge-fund titan Ken Griffin is donating $2 billion to start a Carnegie Mellon University campus in Miami, part of the largest-ever individual gift toward higher education.

The Pittsburgh-based university, known for its expertise in computer science, artificial intelligence and robotics, will open a 35-acre campus in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood that will focus on technology and innovation.

“The students who graduate and the tech companies that come to Miami to leverage those skills will change the very fabric of Miami for decades if not centuries to come,” Griffin said in an interview.

Citadel’s chief executive is also giving $1 billion to Carnegie Mellon’s main Pittsburgh campus. Griffin’s combined $3 billion donation is the largest single gift toward higher education from any individual, according to an announcement from Carnegie Mellon University.

The donation helps advance Griffin’s aim to establish South Florida as a leading global-business and technology hub.

Back in the Windy City, kudos to the Tribune editorial board for explaining the opportunity cost of driving away the state’s most successful people: “After all, persons who are willing to donate $3 billion to an institution of higher education are not to be found on every street corner.”

Of course New York politicians in general and the mayor of New York City in particular have also been unwelcoming and in some cases downright hostile to wealth-creators like Mr. Griffin. Leftists who enjoyed the mayor’s nasty media stunt outside Mr. Griffin’s Manhattan apartment can now reflect on whether it was worth removing the city as a possible landing spot for the largest individual gift in the history of U.S. higher education.

Article continues here.

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Crime, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Ethics, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Wall Street Journal | Leave a Comment »

Lake County Forest Preserves October Newsletter

October 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

In this issue:

Native Plants

Migratory Birds

Fall History Walks

Click here for more activities this month.

Posted in Education, Lake County Forest Preserve District, Property Taxes, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Your vote can make a difference in Illinois elections

October 3, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Illinoisans can vote on races ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to state lawmakers and local officials in the Nov. 3 election.

By Jon Josko and Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

Some recent Illinois state legislative races have been decided by just dozens or hundreds of votes.

A look since 2022 shows where the closest races have been, how few votes separated the candidates and what voters in competitive districts identified as their biggest concerns.

Casting a ballot gives Illinoisans a voice in who represents them, while understanding voters’ concerns gives lawmakers a clearer picture of what their constituents want addressed.

How close are races in Illinois?

In 2024, a mere 47 votes out of nearly 59,000 decided who represents Illinois’ 52nd House District. State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington, held onto his seat over Democrat Maria Peterson by less than one-tenth of 1% of the votes.

That was the slimmest margin in Illinois’ most recent two election cycles, but not the only close one. Nine other state House and Senate races since 2022 were decided by fewer than 1,700 votes apiece — and they were concentrated in a handful of places worth knowing if you live nearby.

10 closest state legislative races 2022-2024

Margin of victory in the 10 closest Illinois House and Senate races, 2022-2024

Seven of the 10 sit in Chicago’s outer suburbs and exurbs, stretching from Lake and McHenry counties through DuPage, Kane and Will. The other three are downstate: one anchored around Danville and Champaign, one around Springfield and Decatur and one in the Metro East region across the river from St. Louis.

10 closest state legislative races 2022-2024

Margin of victory in the 10 closest Illinois House and Senate races, 2022-2024

How many people does it take to decide these races?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your vote matters in a state regarded as relatively uncompetitive, consider this: Among the 175 contested state House and Senate races since 2022, half were decided by a margin smaller than 1-in-10 of the eligible adults in that district. A quarter of contested races came down to fewer than 1-in-17.

90 contested legislative races decided by fewer than 1 in 10 adults

Number of contested state legislative races, 2022-2024, by win margin as share of district’s eligible adult population.

That pattern held across both chambers and both years, though state Senate races have generally been decided by a somewhat smaller share of eligible adults than House races. Roughly 6-in-10 Senate races came in under that 1-in-10 mark, versus about 46% of House races, consistent with Senate districts being larger and drawing more votes.

What do Illinoisans care about?

In districts with tighter election margins, candidates will have to make sure they are addressing their constituents’ major issues.

In the Illinois Policy Institute’s statewide tracking poll, fielded quarterly since 2025, high taxes has been the single most-cited concern every time, named by 52% to 60% of respondents as one of their top two issues, roughly double the next-closest answer.

In the most recent poll, from August 2026, 58.1% named high taxes as their No.1 or No. 2 issue, compared with 32.5% for the economy generally and 20.7% for state governance.

Property taxes in particular seem to be the aggravation behind that number. The May 2026 version of the same poll asked residents how satisfied they are with the value their community receives for the property taxes paid. Over 61% said they were dissatisfied, against just 23.5% satisfied.

Article continues here.

Posted in AI, Cost of Living, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Transparency, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

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