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State House District 52 candidates debate taxes, budget and AI

October 1, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, and Maria Peterson debate issues at a League of Women Voters forum in Barrington on Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. | Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun

By Steve Sadin | For the Lake County News-Sun

A mere 27 votes separated state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, from his 2024 Democratic challenger and current reelection opponent, Maria Peterson of North Barrington.

While Peterson and McLaughlin agree that making changes in the tax laws is legislation they will attempt to tackle in the 105th Illinois General Assembly, their approach to easing taxpayers’ burdens is different.

McLaughlin said he lowered the real estate tax levy seven of the eight years he served as mayor of Barrington Hills. He sees providing municipalities the 10% of state income taxes they once received instead of the current 5% as giving the towns an alternative source of revenue.

“That money would come back to your community and your community could lower your property taxes,” he said.

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, left, talks to a voter before a League of Women Voters forum in Barrington on Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. | Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun

McLaughlin and Peterson shared views on taxes, artificial intelligence, reduced federal funding, and more, campaigning for the Nov. 3 election before more than 150 people Tuesday at a Barrington forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

After the moderator asked the candidates what they would do to reduce property taxes for homeowners, she queried them several questions later about their top priorities should they be chosen to serve in the 105th General Assembly. Taxes were on both their lists.

Using tax credits as a form of relief, McLaughlin said he had ideas for both younger people and seniors. He would push for a tax credit for young families to “make life more affordable for young families so they can afford a home.”

“I will push for the senior tax credit to be increased to $75,000,” McLaughlin said. “If two seniors are in a home with Social Security, it’s too low. It should be higher, at least $95,000 so seniors can get a break on their property taxes.”

Read the full article here.

Related: “League of Women Voters 52nd District Candidate Forum recordings released”

Posted in AI, BACOG, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Elections, Lake County News-Sun, Land Use, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

Editorial: Chicago considers charging suburbanites more to park. How neighborly

October 1, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

People walk along North Michigan Avenue as tulips bloom April 12, 2026, in downtown Chicago. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune

The last dumb idea from City Council

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

A new parking meter deal is done and dusted, as City Council on Tuesday approved a $2.53 billion agreement allowing Stonepeak Partners to take over the remaining 57 years of Chicago’s parking meter lease. Good. We were tired of writing about this historic disaster.

But that doesn’t mean there cannot be another one just ahead.

Now, aldermen are looking to the future. And as some gaze into their crystal ball, they see a brave new world in which suburbanites pay more to park.

An idea is floating around to bifurcate parking meter prices, adding a surcharge of 25 to 50 cents an hour for non-Chicagoans who park in the city, according to Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett, 27th.

Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett – Remember his face because we highly doubt this will be the last dumb idea he’ll have.It’ll raise revenue, he says, though he couldn’t say how much, and encourage public transit, though that doesn’t take into account the frequent inadequacy of those options from the suburbs, especially on evenings and weekends.What we know for sure is that such a move is crazy-town nonsense.

Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett – Remember his name and face since we highly doubt this will be the last dumb idea he’ll have.

“It’s easy to track, they already have the data now,” Burnett said. “We want our suburban counterparts to help when they’re clogging up the system.”

Clogging up the system? Oy.

We have an altogether different view of our neighbors to the north, south and west.

We view them not as bumbling annoyances from which to extract extra cash for the privilege of parking their car on the street, but value their awe and enjoyment of our city, even if they only stick around for a little while.

Editorial continues here.

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Cost of Living, Democratic Socialists of America, Dumb and Dumber, Dumb Bunny, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Taxes, The New Normal?, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Barrington High School 2026 Homecoming Is This Weekend

October 1, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Masquerade Theme

Join fellow Broncos and Fillies on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Barrington, Illinois! Come home to Barrington and celebrate—all alumni are welcome to attend!

Saturday’s Schedule

  •  10:15 AM — Homecoming Parade
    Departs from the Barrington Metra Station and marches to BHS
  •  11:00 AM — Barrington High School Tour
    Explore your alma mater and see what’s new!
  •  11:00 AM – 3:00 PM — BHSAA Tailgate Party
    For all BHS alumni and friends at Chessie’s (200 Applebee Street)
  •  12:00 PM — Homecoming Football Game
    Broncos vs. Conant @ BHS Community Stadium
  •  Evening — Individual Class Reunion Events
    For classes ending in 1 and 6

The “Taste of 220” mobile food truck will be serving food during homecoming.”

Source

Posted in Barrington High School, Community Alerts, Nostalgia, Traffic | Leave a Comment »

Things to do Oct. 2-8: Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest, Cider & Ale Festival, Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns and more

October 1, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival includes two large pumpkin walls, pumpkin carving, live music, food, costume contests and more. | Ripple Public Relations

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Oct. 2

MainStreet Libertyville’s First Fridays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, on Main Street in Libertyville. Music, refreshments and more. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival and Skeletons on Display: 4-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in downtown Highwood. Pumpkin carving, nightly lightings of pumpkin-filled walls, music, carnival and more. Music lineup: Friday: Black Diamond Sessions at 7:30 p.m. and Antler Chandelier at 8 p.m.; Saturday: Roger That at 5 p.m., Navy Band Great Lakes “Horizon” Rock Band at 6 p.m. and Davidson County at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Daddy Wasn’t There at 5 p.m. and Mr. Blotto at 6 p.m. Free. highwoodpumpkinfest.com.

Night at the Museum: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the DuPage County Historical Museum auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Screening of “Cars,” a flashlight scavenger hunt and more. Halloween costumes encouraged. The DuPage Society of Model Engineers will host a train demonstration. $22.58. Register: dupagemuseum.org/events.

Comedian Bill Burr will perform Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, at the Chicago Theatre. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Bill Burr: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $73.35. msg.com

“From Dust”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 2-3 and 9-10; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin. Eli Campbell’s original work about a doomsday prepper building an underground bunker performed by point2point productions. 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.

GreenRoom Productions First Friday Improv: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Hemmens Theater in the Round, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Family-friendly improv show. $15-$22. greenroomimprov.com.

Saturday, Oct. 3

Dundee Depot Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Vintage finds, handmade goods, bakery goods and locally crafted products. eastdundee.net

Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Oct. 3-25, 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.

South Elgin Pet Costume Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at SEBA Park, 151 S. Water St., South Elgin. Parade begins at 10 a.m. along the sidewalk on South Water Street. Categories: scariest, cutest, funniest and best owner/pet costume. Pets must be leashed. Come early for the Pumpkin Patch Festival. Register on-site from 9-9:50 a.m. southelgin.com/petparade

Cider & Ale Festival: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Tasting booths offer more than 60 different ciders and ales from 30 local breweries and cideries along Meadow Lake Trail, the Conifer Walk and the Frost Hill walking path. Tasting tickets include 20 3-ounce samples. No general admission. $75-$85; designated driver $35; and $12 for kids 4-17. Tickets: mortonarb.org

The Legions of Craft Beer Festival returns to Gurnee American Legion Post 771 Saturday, Oct. 3. (Village of Gurnee)

Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at American Legion Post 771, 749 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee. Over 50 craft beers, hard ciders and food trucks. Big Brother’s Vinyl will perform. Net proceeds go to the Friends of the Gurnee American Legion. Advance tickets $50 or $60 with bourbon, $60 at the door, designated driver $10. gurneelegionsofbeer.com.

Melodeers Harmony Showcase: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Harper College Performing Arts Center, 1200 Algonquin Road, Building R, Palatine. The Melodeers will perform and the quartets, Prism and Stiletto, will join them. $20, $10 for kids 12 and younger. melodeers.org

Pumpkin Walk: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Over 100 lighted pumpkins, including two professionally carved pumpkins. Watch a live demonstration by a professional pumpkin carver, plus entertainment and a lightning bug craft. $10. Registration required. bgparks.org/pumpkin-walk.

Fleetwood Max re-creates the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. (Todd Heintz Photography)

Fleetwood Max: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. An authentic re-creation of the music and stage production of Fleetwood Mac. $59-$69. Rauecenter.org.

Sunday, Oct. 4

Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap Meet: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. New and used motorcycle parts of all types and brands, leathers, sewing, jewelry, toys and more. Rain or shine. $10 for 15 and older. walneckswap.com.

Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds Buildings 1-3, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 300 tables of new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more for sale. $8, free for kids 11 and younger. greenbergshows.com or dupagecountyfair.org.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 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.

Autumn Harvest Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Demonstrations of 19th-century farm life, kids’ crafts and games, pumpkin decorating, live music, food and beverages and more. $5 per person or $20 per family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com.

Octoberfest: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Food, drinks and live entertainment. Free. parkfun.com.

Civil War Solider Encampment: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, on the lawn of the Durant House Museum located at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Civil War reenactors from the 19th Illinois and 6th Wisconsin Units host displays of equipment and demonstrations of camp life and cooking rations. At this hands-on event, visitors can handle equipment, try on uniforms and taste 1860s cooking. At 2:30 p.m., kids can learn drills from experienced soldiers and practice as a regiment. Durant House and Sholes School Museums will be open. $3 or $1 for kids 18 and younger. ppfv.org/durant-house-museum.

Oktoberfest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Twin Lakes Recreational Area, 1200 E. Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine. Games, hayrides, raffles and more. Live music by Die Musikmeisters. Food for purchase includes bratwurst with sauerkraut, German potato salad and Oktoberfest beer. Donate five nonperishable food items to receive a free pumpkin, or buy one for $5. Free. saltcreekpd.com.

Annual Authors Fair: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Gail Borden Public Library’s Alft River Room, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Meet local authors, who will be signing and selling their books. gailborden.info/authors.

Concert Pianist Drew Petersen: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Solo recital. $39.19, free for kids 18 and younger with a paid adult. barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Watch What Crappens: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Bravo recap and gossip podcast presents the “In The Mix Tour.” Tickets start at $69.16. jamusa.com

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Feelin’ Groovy: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Michael Mahler sings Paul Simon. $45. metropolisarts.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Joan Curto’s “Both Sides Now”: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The acclaimed vocalist and her all-star band celebrate the timeless artistry of singer-songwriters from the 1960s to the ’80s. $35. tickets.eccartscenter.org.

Cantigny’s Live Music in the Beer Garden: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 7-11, at Cantigny Park South Grove, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Live music in the beer garden, near the Visitors Center. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Beer garden hours: 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Wednesday: Craig Allen, Thursday: Downtown Charlie Brown, Friday: Return 2 Soul, Sunday: The Thomas Linsk Trio (3 p.m.) Included with admission. cantigny.org.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns returns Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 7-25, at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. (Chicago Botanic Garden)

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 7-11, 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. 8

Vernon Hills Scarecrow Fest: 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Century Park Pavilion, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Build and decorate a scarecrow; bring clothes and accessories to decorate with. Snack is included. $25 per group. Register at vhparkdistrict.org/event/scarecrow-fest.

Witches Night Out: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Check in at The Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Downtown businesses will offer specials, discounts, giveaways and more. Register at longgrove.org/festival/october-days.

Chelsea Handler brings “The High and Mighty Tour” to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Thursday, Oct. 8. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Chelsea Handler: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. “The High and Mighty Tour.” Tickets start at $85.10. geneseetheatre.com.

Ongoing

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.

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.

“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, Six Flags Drive, 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 more here.

Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment | Leave a Comment »

Barrington High School Alumni News: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Pays Illegals $575 to Take Political Activism Class, U.S.-Born Residents Not Allowed

September 30, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Warner Todd Huston | Breitbart News

Critics are bashing Boston’s Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu* for funding a program that trains migrants in political activism.

Wu’s funding benefits the city program called Immigrants Lead Boston operated by Wu’s Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement designed to identify and give aid to “emerging leaders” in the migrant community, Fox News reported.

The program is taking heat for explicitly excluding U.S.-born residents from being qualified to win one of the scholarships while using tax dollars for the sole benefit of migrants.

Wu’s administration is paying migrants $575 to enroll in a ten-week civic-engagement and community-organizing course to help migrants grow their political power to replace Americans.

Registration documents tell enrollees that no legal status is required to earn a grant.

“Classes cover organizing, public narrative, city government, immigration history, racism, and equity,” according to the New Bedford Guide.

The program is also sponsored by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, which funds deportation-defense lawyers and opposes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Report continues here.

*”One of four children, (Michelle) Wu graduated from Barrington High School in 2003 as the valedictorian of her class.[14] Wu received perfect scores on the SAT and ACT and in 2003 was selected as a Presidential Scholar from Illinois.[15][8] Wu’s parents hoped that she would pursue a career in medicine; in part due to their experiences of the Chinese Civil War, they discouraged her from a career in politics. Wu has also recounted that prior to university, she had not known whether she aligned with the Democratic or Republican parties.[8]”

 

Posted in Barrington High School, Breitbart News, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Immigration, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Even after upgrades, Illinois’ credit rating is still worst in the nation

September 30, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The ongoing pension crisis is a big part of it.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Despite two recent upgrades, Illinois’ credit rating remains the worst in the country, with a couple key issues holding the state back.

Moody’s Ratings raised the state to A1 from A2, and S&P Global Ratings elevated Illinois to A from A-. The ratings are based on a government’s ability and willingness to pay back debt principal and interest on time.

The agencies said significant headwinds remain in Illinois, including sluggish economic and population growth and the state’s unfunded pension liabilities.

A higher credit rating enables a state to borrow or roll over existing debt at lower interest rates. A lower rating creates more risk for investors, who will demand higher interest payments.

Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation credit rating hurts taxpayers. A Charles Schwab report from shortly before the ratings upgrades using Bloomberg data showed that Illinois’ 10-year bond yields are 62 basis points, or 0.62%, higher than bonds issued under a “generic 10-year AAA index.”

Applying that to the $2.6 billion in general-obligation bonds Illinois plans to sell this year would mean $16.1 million more in annual interest payments than states with the highest rating. That could slightly improve given the recent upgrades.

The upgrades reflect the state’s progress in improving its fiscal standing. Since 2019, the year Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office, Moody’s has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating five times from Baa3, the lowest rating deemed investment-grade and one notch above junk status. S&P has upgraded the rating four times, from one notch above junk status, BBB-, to A. Including Fitch Ratings, the governor’s office boasts of 12 upgrades.

Report continues here.

Posted in Cost of Living, Deception, Economy, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

September 30, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Jared Walczak | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois’ tax code stands in the way of the state’s economic competitiveness. The combination of high tax burdens and a poor tax structure contributes to the loss of jobs and investment to other states. From a place of former economic dominance, Illinois now ranks 45th in gross state product (GSP) growth over the past decade and 49th in interstate migration, losing some 943,000 people and nearly $90 billion in adjusted gross income to net outmigration over the past decade. Taxes are not the only reason for Illinois’ challenges, but they are an important contributor.

This research identifies 10 reforms that would enhance the state’s tax competitiveness. Some represent substantial changes while others are comparatively modest, but independently or as a whole they would make Illinois a better place to live, work and start (or grow) a business. They are:

  • Eliminating the throwback rule, which raises little revenue but makes it hard for some remaining businesses, especially small manufacturers, to operate in Illinois, because it imposes Illinois’ high tax rates on all income not taxed by another state.
  • Providing first-year expensing for machinery and equipment to eliminate the current tax code’s bias against capital outlays and treat these investments like other ordinary business expenses.
  • Evaluating economic development incentives, curtailing the least efficient credits and reforming others to yield a better return on investment and free up revenue that could provide broad-based tax relief.
  • Decoupling from a tax on international income (NCTI) that distorts the federal-level tax it attempts to copy and increases costs for Illinois businesses and consumers.
  • Permanently uncapping net-operating-loss (NOL) deductions to ensure that businesses don’t face effective rates well in excess of the actual statutory tax rate, and to eliminate a particularly egregious penalty on startups.
  • Repealing the corporate franchise tax, an antiquated tax that imposes high compliance costs and is levied without regard to ability to pay.
  • Modernizing the sales tax base to make the tax fairer and more economically neutral, and to pay for reductions in the tax rate.
  • Repealing the estate tax, which drives many high-net-worth households out of the state in the final years of their lives, harming the state’s economy and depriving the state of other tax revenue from them in those years.
  • Expanding property tax levy limits, stripping out restrictions that have rendered them largely ineffective and turning these limits into a meaningful tool to rein in property tax burdens.
  • Reforming unemployment insurance taxes to better align them with the overall policy goal of reducing unemployment.

Illinois is a high-tax state. That makes it even more important that policymakers get the tax structure right. These reforms, separately or in combination, will make Illinois more competitive, helping the state attract and retain jobs and grow the economy.

The comprehensive solutions piece continues here.

Posted in Economy, Elections, Illinois Policy Institute, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Illinois 59 at Dundee Road culvert repairs (SCHEDULED TO) begin Sept. 30

September 29, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that culvert repairs at the intersection of Illinois 59 and Dundee Road (Illinois 68), in Barrington Hills, will begin, weather permitting, Wednesday, Sept. 30. ​

To complete the work, daytime lane closures will be required approaching the intersection. At least one lane will remain open in both directions during the construction. ​

The project is anticipated to be completed in November.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternate routes are encouraged. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Seven of Rebuild Illinois include $25.6 billion of improvements statewide to 24,498 lane miles of highway, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

# # #

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Cook, County, IDOT, Look For The Union Label, Press Release, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, School Districts, Taxes, Traffic | Leave a Comment »

League of Women Voters 52nd District Candidate Forum recordings released

September 29, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Recording of the Martin McLaughlin/Maria Peterson Candidate Forum held on Tuesday, Sept 22, for Illinois General Assembly 52nd District have been posted. The link can be found here.

Posted in BACOG, Cost of Living, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Juliana Stratton is using her campaign money to fund Abdul El-Sayed

September 29, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

 

Juliana Stratton

By Mark Glennon* | Wirepoints

Abdul El-Sayed is unquestionably the most controversial and radical major party candidate in memory to run for the United States Senate, which he is doing in Michigan as a Democrat. He is disavowed even by some fellow Democrats, and his critics on the right routinely call him a jihadist, terrorist, radical Islamist or the like.

Juliana Stratton is now using her campaign fund to help El-Sayad win. She is Illinois’s Democratic candidate for the Senate facing Republican Don Tracy.

Linked here and here are recent campaign blast emails signed by El-Sayed but sent by Stratton’s organization and clearly marked, “Paid for by Juliana Stratton for Illinois.” Unknown at this point is how much further financial support she is providing, but Stratton is clearly helping El-Sayed, financially and otherwise, to some degree.

In the case of El-Sayed, any amount of support would have been unthinkable for Democrats and Republicans alike until the left became the nightmare it is today.

To top it off, Stratton is funded mostly by Gov. JB Pritzker, who has long purported to be a rock solid supporter of Israel’s right to exist. El-Sayed is anything but.

Some background on El-Sayed

For starters, El-Sayed has likened Oklahoma’s Sharia law ban to the Trail of Tears and said that ban and the Oklahoma City bombing are products of “white supremacy.” He is repeatedly criticized for dismissing the importance of the 9/11 attacks on America, saying the war on terror that ensued should have been directed to domestic programs.

He opposes Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and consistently refuses to say it has a right to exist at all. He would end all military aid not just for Israel but Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. He often condemns terrorism but proceeds to explain it away. After a Muslim terrorist drove a truck full of explosives into a Jewish temple in Michigan this year, for example, he condemned it but said “hurt people hurt people.” He is not a member of the Democratic Socialist party, but supports much of its most controversial agenda, including abolishing ICE (which he says “cannot be reformed”), Medicare for all, ending all military aid for Israel, and housing as a right. “When they go low, we don’t go high. We take them to the mud and choke them out,” Piker has said.

It gets worse: El-Sayed and Hasan Piker

El-Sayed has regularly platformed and campaigned with Hasan Piker, a prominent and open America-hater, radical Islamist and fan of Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong “I say I hate America all the time,” Piker has said. “A lot of motherfuckers want to kill me over that take, but at least I say it with my fucking chest.”

Article continues here.

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.

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