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Proposed East Dundee annexation deal would allow future data center

August 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Gloria Casas | The Courier-News/Chicago Tribune/Daily Herald

A proposed agreement under which 74 acres of property would be annexed into East Dundee includes a provision that would allow a data center to be among its future development options.

Plote Properties has no immediate plans to build on the site, located west of Beverly Road and south of Route 72, officials said. The annexation agreement is “still in negotiations,” Village President Dan Pearson said.

The land is part of a larger 253-acre parcel owned by East Dundee-based Plote, a portion of which was annexed into the village in January 2025 and zoned for manufacturing so that Plote could continue its mining operations and have space for truck parking.

Under the proposed annexation agreement, the village would agree to create a tax increment financing (TIF) district for the area.

The agreement for the eastern portion of the land is similar to the one for the western portion approved in 2025 — with a few additional provisions, Assistant Village Attorney Stew Weiss said at a public hearing for the deal held as part of a recent village board meeting.

One provision would require the village to provide financial incentives for the development of the full 253 acres, Weiss said. A “qualifying development,” or any development of 100,000 square feet or larger, could receive a 25% reimbursement for TIF-eligible expenses, an electricity tax rebate of 25% and an electricity tax freeze for a 20-year term, according to the agreement under discussion.

The agreement will detail the scope and nature of the proposed development incentives, lay out how a “qualifying development” is defined, and establish development performance standards for future uses, including data centers.

The proposed M-1 zoning designation would allow for several permitted “future uses” and “would require no additional zoning relief” if Plote wants to use it for a data center, electrical substation, accessory use facility or high-voltage transmission line at a height of 300 feet. Data centers are allowed in M-1 districts.

Read more here.

Posted in AI, Data Center, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, News Media, Real Estate | Leave a Comment »

PUBLIC NOTICE: Election for Park District (Riding Club) Commissioner-Candidate Filing Information

August 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

PUBLIC NOTICE

Consolidated Election to be held April 6, 2027

To The Residents of The Barrington Hills Park District Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties, Illinois

Elections will be held to fill the following office:  Park District Commissioner

Number of positions: Three (3)  

All positions are for a four-year term

The candidate services provided here will assist prospective candidates locate the information and forms required to run for office.

Information contained within this section is for informational purposes only. Candidates are advised to seek appropriate legal counsel for any campaign issues. 

Candidates must file their certificates of nomination with the Barrington Hills Park District designated representative.

Petition Circulation Period: August 25, 2026 – November 23, 2026. Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to August 25, 2026

The filing of nomination petitions will be accepted at 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills IL 60010, in the Riding Center’s Meeting Room, November 16, 2026 through Monday November 23, 2026.  Office Hours will be posted here and on the online calendar.

Petitions may be filed in person by the candidate, a representative, or by mail to: Barrington Hills Park District, 364 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills, IL 60010. Nomination papers received in the mail before the first day of filing period will be returned to the sender as not filed.

Candidate’s Guide

Petition Documents:

Nonpartisan Petition Form (Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to August 25, 2026)
Statement of Candidacy: Nonpartisan
Loyalty Oath (optional):
Statement of Economic Interests: Filed with the Cook County Clerk. See page 22 in the Candidate’s Guide regarding filing the receipt.
Fair Campaign Practices Act (voluntary): Filed with the State Board of Elections.,

Source

 

Posted in Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Red, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Cook, Countryside Elementary School, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lake, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Massbach Hounds, McHenry, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOS Party, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions, Your Barrington Hills | Leave a Comment »

Things to do Aug. 7-13: McHenry County Fair, Smoke & Irons Music Fest, Warrenville Summer Daze and more

August 7, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Aug. 7

McHenry County Fair: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Nearly 100 acres of animals, food, music and entertainment. Single day $10/$5; $30 season pass. mchenrycountyfair.com/tickets.

Lake Zurich Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Fresh produce, baked goods, sauces, spices, honey, cheese, eggs, meats and more. With live music, pop-up events, kids’ activities and more. Free. lakezurich.org/366/Farmers-Market.

Jamboree Days: 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Live music, local food trucks, vendors and family-friendly activities. Music lineup: Friday: Scuba-Kin at 4:30 p.m., Mike Wheeler Band at 5:30 p.m., The Outfit at 7:30 p.m., and Buckcherry at 9 p.m.; and Saturday: Sparks Fly: The Taylor Swift Experience at 2 p.m., Lewzinit (rock and pop with a twist of blues) at 4:30 p.m., The Buckinghams at 6:30 p.m., and The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik at 8 p.m.

Smoke & Irons Music Fest: 4-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Apple Orchard Community Park, 620 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Live music, food trucks, beer tasting, craft show, bags tournament and more. Music lineup: Friday: Eli Howard & The Greater Good at 4 p.m., The Filthy Heathens at 5:30 p.m., Sam Morrow at 7 p.m. and Rob Leines at 9 p.m.; and Saturday: Evan Stock Band at 1 p.m., Matt Keen at 2:30 p.m., Andy Thomas at 4 p.m., Jive Mother Mary at 5:30 p.m., Ben Chapman at 7 p.m. and The Band Feel at 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit Ignite the Courage, a nonprofit charity created and run by Bartlett firefighters. Admission for 21 and older is $10; free for 20 and younger. ignitethecourage.org/musicfest

Robbie Fulks will appear with Griffin William Sherry Friday, Aug. 7, at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. | Raue Center for the Arts

Robbie Fulks & Griffin William Sherry Showcase: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. American roots music. $22.40-$36. rauecenter.org

Windy City Comedy Fest: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7-9, at various locations in Chicago. Shows, clinics with industry professionals, and networking events for comedians and fans. Scheduled performers include Shane Torres, Em Brown, Bob Keen, Joey Reilly and more. Tickets vary. windycitycomedyfest.com.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Dundee Depot Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Vintage finds, handmade goods, bakery goods and locally crafted products. Free. eastdundee.net

Fox Lake Cardboard Boat Race: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 8, at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake. Build a cardboard boat to race against others. Prizes for fastest, fastest sinking and best design. $15 boat registration only, $30 registration and kit. foxlake.org.

Uncaged in the Zoo: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Lords Park Zoo, off Grand Boulevard, Elgin. See live animals up close with Incredible Bats! Animals Around The World. Free. elginil.gov.

AREA 22 Arts, Crafts & Oddities Fair: 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, on Riverside Drive in downtown Elgin. Presented by Side Street Studio Arts, this outdoor art fair showcases fine art, handmade goods and eclectic “oddities” from regional artists, live art and sculpture demonstrations, music and entertainment, and food and drink vendors. Family-friendly and pet-friendly. Free admission and parking. Rain or shine. sidestreetstudioarts.org/area22.

Irish Fest: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Dance performances by the Hogan Irish Dancers, bagpiping, live music with Galway Gals and The Messengers, food and beverages for purchase, a Wee Ones Fun Zone and more. Free. ahpd.org/event/irish-fest.

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, and 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks set to music. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, 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.

Hoffman Estates Maker’s Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, in the parking lot of Vistex, off Barrington Road and Route 72, Hoffman Estates. Local vendors selling home decor, jewelry, blankets, clothes and more. Rain or shine. facebook.com/thebloomingdalemakersmarket.

See cultural performances during the International Festival in Wheeling’s Heritage Park Performance Pavilion Sunday, Aug. 9. | Rick West/Daily Herald

International Festival: 1-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Live performances, activities and ethnic foods. Meet local organizations that support diverse populations. Free. wheelinginternationalfestival.com.

Monday, Aug. 10

Motor Monday Cruise Night: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, Aug. 10, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Cars and trucks of various makes and models. In partnership with the Midwest Racing Preservation Association. Free. eastdundee.net.

Tuesday, Aug. 11

Adventures in the Zoo: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Lords Park Zoo, 207 Grand Blvd., Elgin. Program theme is Extirpated Illinois. Free. elginil.gov.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

Celebrate Highwood’s Garlic Fest offers an array of garlic delicacies Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Everts Park in Highwood. | Celebrate Highwood

Garlic Fest: 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Live music, family-friendly activities, and sweet and savory garlic creations, including garlic-infused chocolate, cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, cocktails, pastas, sandwiches, sauces, spreads and more. Free. celebratehighwood.org/garlic-fest.

Highwood Evening Gourmet Market: 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Over 60 vendors and A Tribute to Old Blue Eyes performs from 6-9 p.m. Free. celebratehighwood.org.

Wine Down Wednesdays: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Live music by Billy Elton, drinks and food. Free. eastdundee.net.

Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Mike & Joe will perform. Free. shopthearb.com.

Thursday, Aug. 13

69th annual Sycamore Steam Show & Threshing Bee: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 13-16, at the Taylor Marshall Farm, 27707 Lukens Road, off Plank Road, Sycamore. Hosted by the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club. All of the engines whistle at noon. Parade at 1:30 p.m. daily. See steam engines, gas engines, antique car display, World War II display, lawn and garden tractor display, windmills, and demos on threshing/baling, corn shelling and flour mills. Also, fresh produce, flea market, FFA zoo, live music and Fay’s BBQ. $10, $5 for seniors on Thursday, and free for kids younger than 12. sycamoresteamshow.com.

Barrington Thursday Night Out: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the BMO Lot, 210 W. Station St., Barrington. Local vendors, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out

Taylor Street Little Italy Festa: 5-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13-14, on Taylor Street between Ashland Avenue and Throop Street, Chicago. Celebration of local Italian culture with food, stages of continuous family entertainment, merchandise from Italy and colorful cultural attractions. Free. arcadalive.com.

Long Grove Music in the Park: 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, in Covered Bridge Park, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Rachel Faul will perform. Free. longgrove.org.

Summer Concerts at Phil’s Beach: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Phil’s Beach, 328 N. Main St., Wauconda. Better With Bacon will perform. Free. waucondaparks.com.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Motown Nation will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.

Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Second Hand News will perform. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series

Ongoing

Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day through Sept. 7 at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wisconsin. 16th-century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, characters and more. $48, $45 for 62 and older and military with ID, $23 for kids 5-12, and free for kids 4 and younger. renfair.com/bristol.

Morton Arboretum walking play: 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Aug. 16, starting at Thornhill Shelter at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a 1.5-mile walk, with no intermission. Suitable for all ages, with some crass humor and romantic situations. $27 for 18 and older, $17 for kids 2-17. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.

Find much more here.

Posted in Economy, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

This ‘Wicked Cool’ Half-Female, Half-Male Bird Landed in Suburban Chicago — Offering a Rare Glimpse Into One of Nature’s Strangest Phenomena

August 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

A composite image of the bobolink nicknamed Black and Tan, showing its male and female sides split down the middle. | Luke Dahlberg / Citizens for Conservation

By Patty Wetli  | WTTW News

Back in early spring, Luke Dahlberg, conservation seed program manager with the nonprofit Citizens for Conservation, was spending his Sunday at the office.

His “office,” to be fair, is the 200-plus acre Hill ‘N Dale nature preserve near Barrington Hills, and Dahlberg wanted to take advantage of the lighting to photograph birds, specifically male bobolinks arriving on their breeding grounds after wintering in the pampas of South America.

“That’s when they’re just singing like crazy, they’re showing themselves,” Dahlberg said. “And usually the female bobolinks will come back a couple weeks afterwards.”

After snapping pictures of every bobolink in sight, Dahlberg went home and began scrolling through his camera roll. One bird stood out.

Male bobolinks, as with many bird species, have far more striking breeding plumage than their female counterparts. Dahlberg described the fellas’ white back and black undersides as looking like a tuxedo worn backwards, with a blonde patch on their heads lending a Dennis Rodman-circa-mid-‘90s vibe.

The bird in question didn’t quite fit the profile.

“It turned its face and it was in non-breeding plumage,” Dahlberg said, which struck him as odd but he chalked it up to a strange molt pattern.

A couple weeks later, Dahlberg pointed out this same unusual bobolink to some visitors from Illinois Audubon Society and that’s when he learned he had stumbled onto something extraordinary.

The bobolink was what’s called a bilateral gynandromorph — half female, half male, split down the middle — as the result of a genetic anomaly.

On its right side, the bird presented as male; on its left, it sported the duller plumage of a bobolink female.

“I had a better chance of photographing a unicorn,” Dahlberg said. “It’s extremely rare in nature.”

So rare that Abigail Derby Lewis, executive director of Citizens for Conservation, reached out to former colleagues at the Field Museum to confirm the ID.

“I’ve never seen one of these gynandromorphs in real life and so I was thrilled. I would definitely say the vast majority of birders will never see a gynandromorph in their life,” said Cameron Rutt, ornithologist and conservation ecologist at the Field. “Your chances of running into one, by yourself, in the wild are vanishingly slim.”

A 100% female bobolink on the left and a 100% male bobolink on the right. | hstiver / iStock; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Of the approximately 11,000 species of birds on the planet, only 45 are mentioned in the scientific literature as exhibiting gynandromorphism, totaling fewer than 100 individuals, according to Rutt.

The bird at Hill ‘N Dale is the first-ever record of a bobolink gynandromorph.

Read on here.

Posted in Citizens for Conservation, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, WTTW News | Leave a Comment »

South Barrington police nab 36 drivers for speeding

August 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Daily Herald report

The South Barrington Police Department’s July traffic safety enforcement campaign resulted in 36 speeding tickets, police announced Wednesday.

Additionally, three people were ticketed for not properly wearing seat belts, one was ticketed for driving with a suspended or revoked license and one was ticketed for distracted driving. One person was arrested on a warrant, too.

Departments across Illinois staged similar safety campaigns last month.

Posted in Public Safety, South Barrington | Leave a Comment »

CUSD 220 Tentative Fiscal 2026/27 Budget Public Hearing September 1st

August 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Barrington Community Unit School District 220, in the County of Lake, State of Illinois, that a Tentative Budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, will be on file and “conveniently available” for public inspection at the Administrative Offices located at 515 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois 60010, beginning August 1, 2026.

NOTICE IS FURTHER HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on said Budget will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st day of September, 2026, at the Administrative Offices, 515 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois 60010.

Dated this 1st day of August, 2026.
Board of Education
Barrington Community Unit School District 220
County of Lake, State of Illinois
Diana Clopton
Secretary
Board of Education

Related: “District 220 board members violated campaign policies, investigation finds,” “Proposed Policy Change Would Strip Anonymous Formal Grievances in Barrington District 220,” “Reminder: CUSD 220 Board of Education meeting tonight,” “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “Special District 220 Board of Education meeting Monday,” “Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency” and “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’“

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

National Night Out in Barrington tonight

August 6, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Bring the whole family for an unforgettable evening at Barrington’s National Night Out Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! This free community celebration is packed with exciting activities, interactive demonstrations, raffles and giveaways, delicious food and opportunities to connect with Barrington’s finest, the officers who serve our community every day.

This year’s event is bigger than ever, made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment allows us to provide this evening free for residents. Please visit their booths during the event, thank them for their support and help us show our appreciation!

Event Sponsors:

From kids’ activities and interactive displays to RC car racing, bounce houses, safety demonstrations and delicious food, our sponsors have provided something for everyone. Whether you are meeting first responders, grabbing free roasted corn, taking a photo with Oliver, or simply enjoying a summer evening with neighbors, National Night Out is a celebration you will not want to miss.

Thank you to every sponsor, volunteer and community partner who helps make National Night Out one of Barrington’s favorite summer traditions. We cannot wait to see you there for an evening of fun, food, friendship and community spirit!

Parking Information:

Please plan ahead. Due to the event’s footprint, some roads and parking areas in downtown Barrington will be closed, including Cook and Station streets and the BMO parking lot. Free parking is available in the Barrington Metra Station lots after 5 p.m., along with on-street parking near the event. For additional parking options, visit the Village’s online parking map.”

Source: Village of Barrington

Posted in Entertainment, Politics, Public Safety, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Group says secret gender policies violate parents’ rights

August 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

A sign for an inclusive restroom with gender and accessibility symbols is displayed on a dark wall. | Photo: Danielle-Claude Bélanger / Unsplash

By Jim Talamonti |The Center Square

The Liberty Justice Center has sent letters to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and attorneys general in three other states, warning that school districts’ decisions to withhold information from parents regarding students’ purported gender transitions violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

The LJC said parents have a right under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to direct the education of their children. The group said the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guarantees parents the right to access their children’s education records at schools that receive federal funds.

In addition to Illinois, the LJC sent letters to attorneys general in New York, New Jersey and Washington.

Source

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Look For The Union Label, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, The Center Square, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Editorial: Alarm bells are ringing loudly in electricity markets for Illinois’ clean-energy law

August 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Tall electrical towers follow a north-south pathway through Barrington Hills in 2023. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Electric bills are a sore spot with consumers and for good reason.

They would be set to go quite a bit higher in the next few years but for an artificial cap the regional power-grid manager serving Commonwealth Edison’s territory and all or parts of 12 other states has imposed on the price paid to power generators for promising to deliver when most needed. That cost, reflected in the electric bills all of us pay, is established via an auction held ahead of time by PJM Interconnection, operator of this regional grid that includes northern Illinois.

PJM (one of several U.S. regional grid overseers that reports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) ran its auction just last month for the delivery year beginning June 1, 2028, and ending May 31, 2029. And the results delivered a stark — but largely unnoticed — warning for the Chicago area.

The cost of “capacity” in the period was capped at $325 per megawatt-day, about the same as ratepayers are charged now. But, based on the bids PJM got from generators and other providers, if there had been no price cap, the capacity charge just in the ComEd territory would have been more than double at nearly $777 per megawatt-day, far higher than any such price ever recorded by PJM.

In every other part of the PJM footprint, which runs east from here to the mid-Atlantic, the cost would have been higher without a cap as well. But it “only” would have been about $555 per megawatt-day.

If that price in the ComEd territory had been allowed to stand, monthly electric bills for residents of single-family homes would be increasing $35 to $77 beginning in mid-2028 for that reason alone, according to ComEd. Those in apartments would be paying $17 to $38 more.

You may be wondering why you should care if regulators and politicians have worked to keep such disastrous outcomes from occurring. The reason, as we’ll explain further below, is that price controls of this sort reduce supply and risk future shortages. In other words, which is worse? Nosebleed electricity prices or rolling blackouts when temperatures soar?

That said, why is northern Illinois such an outlier? PJM didn’t say in their auction release. But Joseph Bowring, the independent market monitor for the PJM region (he serves as sort of a referee for the market, assessing bidder behavior and other things), wasn’t so reticent. He told RTO Insider, a trade publication, that the state’s clean-energy law, the 2021 Climate & Equitable Jobs Act, is responsible.

Editorial continues here.

Posted in BOHICA, Chicago Tribune, Cost of Living, Ethics, OP/Ed, Politics, Springfield, Topics Of Interest, Unions | Leave a Comment »

PUBLIC HEARING Before the Plan Commission of the Village of Barrington Hills

August 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Plat of Subdivision – Lot Consolidation

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at a special meeting by the Plan Commission of the Village of Barrington Hills at the Barrington Hills Village Hall, 112 Algonquin Road, Barrington Hills, IL, concerning an Application filed by the owner of 8 County Line and 0 Steeplechase Roads, Barrington Hills, IL, to request approval of a final plat of subdivision consolidating property commonly known as 8 County Line and 0 Steeplechase Roads in Barrington Hills, IL to create a single lot. Affected properties are identified by PIN 13-34-301-006 and 13-34-300-024.

A copy of the application and proposed plat for lot consolidation are available for examination in the office of the Village Clerk at the Village Hall, by appointment, during hours of operation. Any interested party will be given an opportunity to provide comment. Written comment on the application for lot consolidation, which will be provided to the members of the Plan Commission, will be accepted in the Office of the Village Clerk through 5:00 PM, August 17, 2026.

By: Village Clerk
Village of Barrington Hills
clerk@vbhil.gov
112 Algonquin Road
Barrington Hills, IL 60010

Posted in Land Use, Plan Commission, Public Hearing, Real Estate, Village Attorney, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration | Leave a Comment »

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