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Facial recognition helps cops solve some of Chicago’s most heinous crimes. This state legislator wants to shut it down.

March 23, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Illinois Rep. Kelly Cassidy, center, and images of some of the people who have been charged with violent crimes following investigations that involved the use of facial recognition. (Facebook, Chicago Police Department)

By Tim Hecke | CWB Chicago

An Illinois state legislator wants to strip law enforcement of a tool that has helped detectives solve murders, robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults — including some of the most violent crimes to hit the CTA in recent years: facial recognition.

When Chicago police detectives needed to figure out who stabbed 37-year-old Dominique Pollion to death and left his body on a Blue Line train in the Loop in January, facial recognition helped them get the investigation on the right track.

By feeding high-quality CTA video images into the Illinois Secretary of State’s database of state ID and driver’s license photos, detectives narrowed their focus to possible matches, including 21-year-old Demetrius Thurman. As their investigation continued, investigators allegedly found video on Thurman’s phone that shows him committing the crime.

Powerful stuff. But if a North Side state legislator gets her way, Illinois police will soon be barred from using any facial recognition database, including the Secretary of State’s, to do their work ever again.

The bill is called the Illinois Biometric Surveillance Act, and it’s being pushed by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who represents most of Rogers Park and Edgewater in Springfield. Cassidy’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment for this story.

Her proposed law would ban the use of facial recognition and other biometric identifiers by law enforcement statewide. No agency could use the technology or enter into an agreement with a state or federal agency to use it. The bill would still allow “fingerprinting pursuant to an arrest or conviction, or to collect forensic evidence at a crime scene.” The bill does not include the ultimate biometric, DNA, among its “biometric identifiers.”

To be clear about how the tool works: a potential facial recognition match alone is not enough to file charges. Detectives use it to help generate leads and identify potential suspects.

Article continues here.

Posted in Crime, CWB Chicago, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb Bunny, Politics, Springfield, Who Cuts Your Hair? | Leave a Comment »

In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions

March 23, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Outside Chicago, only a fourth of municipal property taxes collected this year for police and fire are going to services.

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute

The vast majority of the police and fire levies in last year’s Cook County property tax bills funded pensions, not protection.

The 2024 police and fire levies for cities outside Chicago total $599 million. Just over $450 million of that is for pensions, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

First-installment bills are due April 1. Many in the county may still be recovering from the delayed property tax bills that were due Dec. 15. Some of those bills grew by record-setting amounts.

Since 1996, the amount Cook County municipalities outside Chicago have levied to keep up with police and fire pensions has grown by 416%, while the amount levied for services hasn’t even doubled.

The amount going to fund protection increased by about $2 million in 2024 levies over 2023. The amount for pensions rose $27 million.

Police and firemen deserve generous pensions given the risk in their work. But when those benefits become too generous — as they are in Illinois — they undermine retirement security and reduce the amount of money available for service.

Article continues here.

Posted in Cook, County, Illinois Policy Institute, Jewel-Osco, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Taxes, Unions | Leave a Comment »

I-90 ramp connecting to Route 31 to be closed for months for construction upgrades

March 22, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Michelle Meyer | Shaw Local

A ramp connecting the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to Route 31 in Elgin will be closed for toll plaza improvements starting Sunday and is expected to last through the summer.

Beginning at midnight Sunday, the ramp connecting westbound Interstate 90 to southbound Route 31 will be closed, according to an Illinois Tollway news release. A posted detour will direct traffic on the interstate to the Randall Road interchange, bringing cars back onto eastbound I-90 to access Route 31.

“Tolls will be waived at the Elgin Toll Plaza for traffic following the detour,” officials said in the release.

Crews will be removing the existing barrier walls and equipment and installing new infrastructure. Ramp pavement and shoulder work, along with improvements to electrical, lighting and signage, also are planned, according to the release. All work is weather-dependent.

The construction is part of Illinois Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion capital program called Move Illinois and its seven-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future capital plan. Improvements are planned for all toll plazas systemwide.

Signs warning about the upcoming closure will be posted this weekend. Updated information will be posted on the Illinois Tollway website’s daily construction alerts.

Maps and construction information are available in the “projects” section on the tollway website.

Article continues here.

Posted in Aunt Blabby, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Shaw Local, Taxes, Traffic | Leave a Comment »

Meanwhile, Alleged intoxicated woman arrested after driving 100 feet down railroad tracks in Lake Barrington

March 21, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Police arrest a driver and remove an SUV from the train tracks after the alleged intoxicated driver mistook the tracks for a roadway, causing train traffic to be temporarily halted late Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning near Route 14 and Kelsey Road in Lake Barrington. | Photo: Nick Rusin

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A woman was arrested after the sheriff says she drove drunk 100 feet down the railroad tracks, mistaking them for a road, in Lake Barrington late Wednesday evening.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday to the area of Kelsey Road and Route 14 in Lake Barrington for a report of a vehicle on the railroad tracks.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Matthew Harmon said deputies arrived and confirmed a vehicle, a black Mazda SUV, was on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Police arrest a driver and remove an SUV from the train tracks after the alleged intoxicated driver mistook the tracks for a roadway, causing train traffic to be temporarily halted late Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning near Route 14 and Kelsey Road in Lake Barrington. | Photo: Nick Rusin

Deputies immediately contacted Union Pacific to temporarily halt train traffic.

A tow truck responded and safely removed the Mazda from the tracks, Harmon said.

Deputies determined the vehicle was driven by Megan Marshall, 32, of Lisle.

Article continues here.

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner | Leave a Comment »

Egg hunts offered for kids, dogs and adults across the suburbs

March 21, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Daily Herald staff report

Grab your baskets and get ready to hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny at events across the suburbs.

Saturday, March 21

Adult Egg Hunt: 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at Berens Park baseball fields, 493 N. Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Adults 18 and older can hunt for eggs filled with treats. Food trucks and raffle. Free, but registration is required. epd.org.

Bunny Burrow Express: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays, March 21, 28 and April 4, at Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin. Take a ride to the Easter Bunny’s “secret burrow” in vintage antique trolley cars, where there will be plenty of hidden eggs to find. All the little ones will receive a basket of their own to collect any magical eggs that are found. $30 per person. Approximately 75- minute ride. Boarding from Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. Advance tickets: foxtrolley.org.

Friday, March 27

Kids Mermaid Egg Hunt: 6-7 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Lakeview Fitness, 700 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Kids 8-12 can hunt for eggs in the pool. Bring a waterproof basket or bag. $3-$4. vhparkdistrict.org.

Bubbly Bunny Egg Hunt: 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Adults-only flashlight egg hunt. Eggs will be filled with raffle tickets, candy and special prizes. Light snacks and beverages before the hunt. Dress for the weather. $20-$35 Register: gepark.org.

Flashlight Egg Hunt: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., West Chicago. Flashlight egg hunt at Reed-Keppler Park, then head to the ARC Center to redeem your eggs for prizes and visit with the Bunny. $10-$12 or $13 day of. Register: we-goparks.org.

Flashlight Egg Hunt: 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Randall Oaks Park, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Kids 9-14 should bring a flashlight and a bag to gather eggs filled with candy and prizes. There will be s’mores by the bonfire. $10-$15. Register: dtpd.org.

Saturday, March 28

Kids can search for eggs at Windy Acres Farm in Geneva. “Springtime at Windy Acres” returns March 28-29 and April 3-4. Shaw Media, April 7, 2023

Springtime at Windy Acres: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, and Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at Windy Acres Farm, 37W446 Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva. Visit the Easter Bunny, baby petting zoo animals and Choo-Choo Express. Egg hunt is at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Doughnut decorating class and kids’ flower classes all day. $15 for kids and $7 for adults. Tickets: windyacresfarmstand.com.

Geneva Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt: Seatings at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Persinger Rec Center gym, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Pancake breakfast sponsored by Buttermilk and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Bring your camera. Free egg hunt follows at 10 a.m. outside. $7 or $10 for nonresidents. Register: genevaparks.org.

Breakfast with the Bunny & Easter Egg Hunt: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. A catered breakfast followed by an egg hunt. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Registration deadline: March 21. $20-$25 per child, $15-$19 per adult. barringtonparkdistrict.org.

Doggie Egg Hunt: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Hartmann Park, 292 Oakwood Road, Vernon Hills. Dogs can hunt for eggs filled with treats. Each dog must be leashed and registered by an adult 18 or older. $3-$4. vhparkdistrict.org.

Dundee Township Egg Hunt: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at Randall Oaks Recreation Center outdoor field, 500 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. For kids 2-8. Space is limited; preregistration is required. Arrive 10 minutes early for check-in. If it rains, the hunt will move inside at Randall Oaks Recreation Center. $5-$9. Register: dtpd.org/egg-hunts.

60th annual Easter egg hunt: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Designated egg hunt areas for kids 9 or younger. Bring baskets. Arrive 15 minutes early. Each child is limited to 10 eggs. Rain or shine. stcparks.org.

Kids can look for eggs and then explore the Arlington Heights Historical Museum Saturday, March 28. Daily Herald file photo, March 2024

Community Egg Hunt Extravaganza: Time slots available at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon Saturday, March 28, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Kids 10 and younger can search the museum grounds for treat-filled eggs. After the egg hunt, explore the museum with a scavenger hunt, make a craft and take a picture with the Bunny. Registration required. $4-$10. ahpd.org.

Doggie Egg Hunt & Bunny Photos: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at South Paw Dog Park, 129 W. National, West Chicago. Dogs can search for hidden, treat-filled eggs scattered throughout the park. Prizes, games, and activities for pups and their owners. Registration ends March 23. $8-$10. Register: we-goparks.org/special-events.

Doggie Eggs-travaganza: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Canine Corner Dog Park, 0S761 Old York Road, Elmhurst. Dogs can hunt for treat-filled eggs hidden throughout the park. Dogs who discover a “Golden Egg” will win a special prize basket. All dogs must be accompanied by a person at least 16 years old. Free, but registration is required at epd.org.

Hampshire Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. sharp Saturday, March 28, by the courts at Seyller Park, 400 E Jefferson St., Hampshire. Hosted by the Hampshire Township Park District and Ella Johnson Memorial Library. Arrive early to watch the Easter Bunny arrive on the Hampshire Fire Protection District fire engine at 9:45 a.m. Then line up on the walking path to hunt for eggs. Afterward, take a photo and visit with the Bunny in the community room. Kids’ games and activities on the courts. Lunch will be available from Waffadilla. Free; no registration required. facebook.com/hampshireparkdistrict.

Hanover Township’s “Hoppin’ for Hanover”: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin. Free egg hunts by age groups: ages 2-4 from 10:30-10:45 a.m.; 5-7 from 11-11:15 a.m.; and age 8-10 from 11:30-11:45 a.m. Bring a bag or basket. Games, pictures with the Bunny and crafts will be offered during each session. Registration is not required. Donate canned goods for the township’s food pantry. For information, call (847) 888-8329.

Meet the Easter Bunny at the Grayslake Easter Egg Hunt March 28 at the Aquatic Football/Soccer Field in Central Park. Daily Herald file photo, March 2023

Grayslake Easter Egg Hunt: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Aquatic Football/Soccer Field in Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Egg hunt with separate zones for age groups ranging from 1-10. Registration deadline: March 21. $7-$9. glpd.com.

Doggie Egg Hunt: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at River Bend Community Park, 6N517 Geneva Ave., St. Charles. $5 per dog. Dogs can hunt for eggs filled with treats and prizes. All dogs must be on a nonretractable leash (max 6 feet), current on all vaccinations, wearing tags, and accompanied by at least one person 16 or older. Several pet vendors will be on-site. Register: stcparks.org/events.

Sunday, March 29

Bunny Day: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny, who will be visiting between 9:30 a.m. and noon and 1-4 p.m. Plus, take a scenic hayride through the park and play spring games. Zoo admission rates apply. dtpd.org.

Swimming for Eggs: 2-3:45 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Rakow Center Indoor Pool, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. Kids ages 1 to 12 can hunt for eggs in the pool; bags supplied. Check-in 15 minutes before the event begins. The event will start promptly. Your child should be poolside, wearing swimming attire, and ready to go. $5-$9. Register: dtpd.org.

Pool Egg Hunt: Time slots at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Arlington Ridge Center, 660 N. Ridge Ave., Arlington Heights. Kids 2-7 can visit the Easter Bunny and collect candy-filled eggs in the Family Activity Pool. Bags are provided. Kids younger than 4 must be accompanied in the water by an adult. $13-$16. ahpd.org.

Thursday, April 2

Springtime Glow-up Game Night and Flashlight Egg Hunt: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Persinger Rec Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Team up or go solo in a Jumbo Screen Video Game Tournament and compete for prizes. Then grab a flashlight and hunt for glowing eggs. Includes music and snacks. $10 or $15 for nonresidents. Register: genevaparks.org.

Twilight Egg Hunt: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Lippold Park Boncosky Fields, 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with games, food trucks and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, followed by staggered egg hunts for kids 3-11 starting at 7 p.m. Participants must bring their own flashlight and basket. Held rain or shine. Free. crystallakeparks.org.

Grayslake Flashlight Egg Hunt: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Alleghany Park, 31999 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake. Hunt for eggs filled with candy, toys and prizes outside in the dark. Participants must bring flashlights and baskets. Register by March 26. $7 for residents, $9 for nonresidents. glpd.com.

Friday, April 3

Kids, age 5 or under, can join in spring-themed activities as part of Glen Ellyn Park District’s Eggs-traordinary Egg Hunt on Friday, April 3, at Maryknoll Park in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of Glen Ellyn Park District

Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt: 9-9:30 a.m. Friday, April 3, at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn. Open to individuals with special needs of all ages. Follow an accessible trail in search of colored eggs, nonfood goodies and allergen-free prizes. The hunt will feature smaller crowds, low noise volumes and a quiet zone. $10-$15. Register: gepark.org

Easter Egg Scavenger “Hunt-ley”: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 3, starting at the Huntley Area Chamber, 1 Union Special Plaza, Huntley. This family-friendly adventure takes participants on a route through local businesses to solve clues and win prizes. Plus, photos ops with the Easter Bunny. $5 per child. Register: huntleychamber.org.

Dog Egg Hunt: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Hoffman Park on West Main Street, Cary. Pups can hunt for eggs at the dog park, with small dogs hunting from 5:30-6 p.m. and medium to large dogs hunting from 6:30-7 p.m. Owners must stay with their dogs and should bring a basket and a camera for photos with the Bunny. $7 per dog. carypark.com

Flashlight Egg Hunt and Hike: 6-7:45 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles. All ages can join in a hike through the natural area. Bring a flashlight and basket. $12. Register: stcparks.org/events.

Pooched Pictures with the Bunny: 6-7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at municipal annex, 1 W. State St., South Elgin. Bring a camera for photos with your dog. Free. Register for a time slot: southelgin.com

Easter Candy Hunt Under the Stars: 8-9 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Lions Park softball fields, Silver Lake Road north of 3 Oaks Road, Cary. Kids can hunt for candy and golden eggs with prizes inside. Bring a flashlight and a basket. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures. $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. carypark.com.

Saturday, April 4

Spring Egg-Stravaganza: 7:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon, Chicago. Egg hunts for kids 1-8 across six zones of varying difficulty. Tickets include unlimited rides on the Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure, plus face painting, music, photos with the Easter Bunny, animal chats with zoo experts and the Bunny Parade. $25 or $20 for members. Register: lpzoo.org.

Elmhurst Park District Egg Hunt: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Berens Park, 493 N. Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Food trucks, yard games and visits with the Easter Bunny. Kids 2-10 can search the fields for eggs; adults must accompany participants. Free. Register for a time slot. epd.org.

No just one, but two Easter bunnies were part of the Long Grove Bunny Hop on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Long Grove. This year’s event takes place April 4. Daily Herald file photo, March 2024

Long Grove Bunny Hop: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Historic Downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Hosted by Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, the Bunny Trail features treat-filled eggs at participating stops, photos with the Easter Bunny, fire truck tours with local first responders, face painting and coloring stations, and festive photo opportunities throughout downtown. Bunny Trail maps available at event tents. Free. longgrove.org/festival/bunny-hop

Palatine Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, outdoors at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road in Palatine. Over 3,000 Easter eggs for kids to find, which they can exchange for a goodie bag of candy. Children up to age 9 invited. Also, arts and crafts, music, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts will occur approximately every 20 minutes. Registration is available on the day-of, but they recommend preregistration by noon March 30 via tinyurl.com/PalJayceesEggHunt.

Sleepy Hollow Service Club Easter Egg Hunt: noon Saturday, April 4, at Sabatino Park, 145 Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. The event features several age categories, including a special needs group, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate. Children will scramble to find eggs left by the Easter Bunny, with some containing tickets for grand prizes. The Easter Bunny also will pose for pictures. Every participant will leave with the candy from their collected eggs and a few extra candy bars. Free. sleepyhollowil.org

Find more here.

Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment | Leave a Comment »

Restoring Integrity to the School Board ~ A Seat is a Trust, Not a Consolation Prize

March 20, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Erin Chan Ding posted the following to her Facebook followers Tuesday:

While Chan Ding claims to be ‘honored’ to continue her service on the Barrington 220 Board of Education, her actions during her failed primary campaign suggest she has forgotten who she truly serves.

By using District resources to fuel a partisan run—earning her an official ethics sanction—and subsequently accepting campaign donations from the very union whose contracts she must impartially negotiate, she has created a profound conflict of interest.

Most disappointingly, she has let down the constituents who elected her on the fundamental promise of nonpartisan leadership. A school board seat is a sacred trust meant for the advocacy of students, not a political steppingstone.

To treat the Board as a ‘consolation prize’ after a partisan defeat, while carrying the weight of these ethical breaches, is a disservice to every voter who expected her to put our schools above her own political ambitions.

Related: “Chan Ding, Teachers Unions losers in IL 52nd District Primary Election,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “Candidate Erin Chan Ding’s opinion on Data Centers,” “Barrington area Democrats condemn Chan Ding mailers,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “School district’s parking plan defies logic,” “Zoning change defies village policy,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “Erin Chan Ding: The violations just keep piling up…,” “Erin Chan Ding starring in another episode of, ‘Rules For Thee But NOT For Me…’,”  “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency,” “Ding Politicking on School District Property,” “Dual School Board and State Rep Positions Legally Incompatible,” “D220 Abuses Taxpayer Funds in favor of Partisan Campaign,” “Ding In Her Own Words – CONFLICTED!,” “Ding Doubles Down,” “Ding’s D220 Deception,” “Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd,” “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

 

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Conflict of interest, Data Center, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Goat Rodeo, Illinois Federation of Teachers, League of Women Voters, Legal Expenses, OP/Ed, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Pritzker doesn’t tell whole story on test scores

March 19, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Counter to the governor’s claims, Illinois students’ scores on a national assessment have dropped despite more education spending.

By Hannah Schmid | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently touted Illinois eighth-graders’ reading and math scores as proof of increased public school funding’s effect on student success.

Here’s the reality: Illinois students’ scores have dropped despite that increased spending. And there’s more to the data than Pritzker let on about Illinois students outperforming those in other states.

If the governor wants to help students, he should join the majority of states that are opting into a federal program that provides donor money for students’ targeted needs.

Illinois student scores drop despite increased education spending

In his budget address last month, Pritzker said “historic investments” in public education have boosted student success. But Illinois student performance in both reading and math fell over the most recent 10 years of the National Assessment for Educational Progress.

Those declines weren’t just because of COVID-era shutdowns. Both eighth- and fourth-grade scores were dropping in both reading and math even before schools were closed.

During that same period from 2013 to 2024, the state’s spending on K-12 education rose by nearly $10 billion. That’s a 44% increase over a period when enrollment declined 10%.

Counter to Pritzker’s claims, the increased spending on Illinois schools has not improved student achievement.

Article continues here.

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Fat Bastard, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Politics, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Roads & Bridges Committee meets this afternoon

March 19, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Roads & Bridges Committee meets this afternoon at 4 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] Road Program 2026 Recommendation (Left blank)
  • River/Algonquin Road Curve

A copy of the full posted agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Deception, ePacket Agendas, Ethics, One Barrington Hills, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Property Taxes, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Robert’s Rules of Order, Simple Minds, Taxes, Transparency, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, WTF | Leave a Comment »

Chan Ding, Teachers Unions losers in IL 52nd District Primary Election

March 18, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

 

Related: “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest”

Posted in 220, Associated Press, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Conflict of interest, Data Center, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Lake County clerk’s office changes Lake Barrington polling place

March 17, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Daily Herald Reportb Posted March 16, 2026 7:56 pm

Due to an ongoing gas leak resulting in no heat at the Lake Barrington Village Hall, it will not serve as an Election Day polling place on Tuesday, March 17, officials announced Monday.

Voters are encouraged to use the polling sites closest to them:

“Health and safety are our utmost priorities for our election judges and voters. I thank our partners at Lake Barrington Village Hall for their efforts to find a viable solution in a very short period of time. I also want to thank Lake County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance,” Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said.

Voters can confirm their polling location, view sample ballots, and find additional election information by visiting the Lake County Clerk’s Office website or calling the office at (847) 377-2410.

Posted in County, Daily Herald, Elections, Lake, Politics | Leave a Comment »

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