Feeds:
Posts
Comments

In tribute: Veterans Day ceremonies, concerts across the suburbs

November 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Chris Gerke | Daily Herald

Communities across the suburbs will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with ceremonies and concerts. Here are some of the events planned in the suburbs in honor of the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Thursday, Nov. 5

Elgin During World War II: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Gail Borden Public Library’s Meadows Community Rooms ABC, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Using period photos and newspaper clippings, historian Jerry Turnquist looks at how Elgin citizens and businesses were actively involved in the war effort. Register: gailborden.info.

Saturday, Nov. 7

Veterans Day Breakfast and Memorial Unveiling: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at York Community High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. After years of planning and fundraising, the school’s Military History Club is unveiling The Memorial to the Fallen, a tribute honoring York graduates who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The memorial will be accompanied by a dedicated website highlighting the lives and legacies of these individuals, including their time at York and their military service. The morning will begin with a brief memorial unveiling ceremony at 8:30 a.m. outside Baker Auditorium, followed by the breakfast in the school cafeteria. It is free for veterans, their families and friends. Use the main entrance. Parking may be limited. Reserved spaces near the main entrance will be available for veterans and their guests. The club thanks American Legion Post T.H.B. 187 and Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce for their support in making this project possible. elmhurst205.org

Sunday, Nov. 8

Veterans Day tribute: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Grafelman Park, 112 N. Fifth St., West Dundee. Hosted by Dundee Township Lions Club, the patriotic programs honor military service members. It will include displays of American flags by True Patriots Care, World War I and II re-enactments, emergency vehicle exhibitions, and performances by the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band and Echo Taps. Local historian Philip A. Aleo will speak at 12:30 p.m. about the day’s significance and the importance of honoring veterans and the American flag. The Lions will be offering free vision and hearing screenings for all ages from 1-4 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. dundeelions.org.

Dinner for Veterans: 2-4 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. Veterans and their family and friends are invited to a free dinner with Italian beef sandwiches, chicken fingers, mostaccioli, salad and green bean casserole catered by Karas Restaurant Group, with homemade desserts. To-go meals can be picked up at 3 or 3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot at 847-428-4477 or eventbrite.com.

“The Dragon From Chicago: An American Reporter in Nazi Germany”: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Historian Pamela Toler uncovers the life of trailblazing Chicago Tribune Berlin bureau chief Sigrid Schultz, who reported and warned about the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime. Presented in partnership with the Barrington Cultural Commission and the Barrington Writers Workshop. $28.52 or free for 18 and younger with a paid adult. Register: barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Monday, Nov. 9

Field of Honor: Nov. 9-13 at Jewett Park, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield. A panorama of 500 U.S. flags will be displayed with the theme “Honoring Our Veterans.” Hosted by the village of Deerfield. Proceeds benefit Midwest Veterans Closet and Lake County Honor Flight. healingfield.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Mount Prospect Veterans Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the RecPlex, 420 Dempster St., Mount Prospect. Join VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 to commemorate veterans. Keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Soto, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County. In addition to the annual ceremony, the veterans will be making school visits to educate children on patriotism. vfw1337.com.

South Elgin Veterans Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Public Safety Center, 50 N. Water St., South Elgin. southelgin.com.

Hoffman Estates Veterans Day ceremony: 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial site at the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 411 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Light refreshments will be served at the police department after the ceremony. Free. hoffmanestates.org

Schaumburg Veterans Day Ceremony: 10:45 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Gateway Park, Roselle and Schaumburg roads, Schaumburg. Schaumburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2202 hosts the annual ceremony to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Schaumburg police and fire departments will perform the honor guard while flanked by the Schaumburg VFW Post 2202 Rifle Squad. villageofschaumburg.com.

Dan Honea of the Barrington Fire Department Honor Guard carries the American flag during the posting of the colors at the 2025 Barrington Veterans Day ceremony. | Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald

Barrington Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial, Park Avenue and Cook Street, Barrington. Join local veterans and dignitaries to honor Veterans Day. Refreshments will be served. Free. barrington-il.gov.

Carpentersville’s Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. cville.org

Des Plaines Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Hosted by the Des Plaines American Legion Post 36 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 311. Light refreshments will be served after. facebook.com/DesPlainesAmericanLegionPost36.

Richard Hamilton salutes as the national anthem is sung during the 2025 Veterans Day ceremony in Elgin. | Rick West/Daily Herald

Elgin Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Centre of Elgin’s Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. The city and American Legion Post 57 honor our nation’s veterans. Seating will be provided. Parking is available in the parking deck on the southwest corner of Symphony Way and Grove Avenue. elginil.gov.

Palatine American Legion Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. After the ceremony, a light lunch will be served. alpost690.us.

Streamwood Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Honor the men and women who have served in times of peace and war. The event will feature a performance by the Celebration Brass Quintet. streamwood.org.

Children from an after-school program made cards for veterans that were displayed during the 2023 Buffalo Grove Veterans Day ceremony. | Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald

Buffalo Grove Veterans Day Celebration: 12:15-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Free Culver’s lunch from 12:15-1 p.m. then the Saddle Shoe Sisters will pay tribute to veterans with classics such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful” and other patriotic favorites. Presented in partnership with the Indian Trails Public Library and Vernon Area Public Library. Free; registration required. bgparks.org/veterans-day-celebration. For questions, contact Elizabeth Quinzio at 847-850-2196 or elizabeth@bgparks.org.

Thanks for the Memories A USO Tribute: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. A USO-style celebration by six vocalists and a five-piece band honoring the entertainers who performed for the troops during wartime. $35. tickets.eccartscenter.org

Hanover Park Veterans Day observance: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Village Board Room 214, 2121 W. Lake St., Hanover Park. The Hanover Park Veterans Committee hosts an event to salute and honor veterans. Free. hanoverparkillinois.org.

Sunday, Nov. 15

“World War II Radio Hour”: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in the St. Charles Public Library’s Carnegie Room, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. Featuring Matt and Cynthia Gruel and a special guest performer bringing the spirit of the 1940s to life. Free. scpld.org.

Rockin’ for Heroes: A Veterans Day Tribute Featuring 7th heaven & Friends: 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. A Veterans Day tribute featuring performances by 7th heaven, Tony Ocean and The Main Event Band. Special tribute performance by The Bombshell Beauties and Military Brass. Proceeds benefit Friends of Fisher House of Illinois. $34.72-$89.72. joesliverosemont.com

Find many more ceremonies here.

Posted in Daily Herald, The Greatest Generation | Leave a Comment »

Cook County voters approve non-binding ‘millionaires tax’

November 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

(Click to enlarge)

The ballot question:

“Shall Illinois adopt the Millionaire Amendment for Property Tax Relief and Education, which would enact a 3% income tax surcharge only on millionaires and use 50% of this new revenue to provide property tax relief for residential and commercial taxpayers and 50% to improve state funding for public education?”

72% of Cook County voters said “Yes” Tuesday.

Posted in Cook, County, Elections, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

East Dundee Public Hearing Re: Data Center Zoning Code Reclassification Tonight.

November 5, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village of East Dundee Planning, Zoning and Historical Commission meets this evening at 6:30 PM at 115 E. 3rd Street, 2nd floor. The topic is:

Public Hearing: A proposed text amendment to Chapter 157 of the Village of East Dundee Zoning Ordinance in Section 157.065(A)(1)(h)(1) to reclassify data centers in the M-1 and M2 Manufacturing Districts from a (P) permitted by-right land use to a (S) permitted by special use permit land use in those areas of the Village north of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Drive, and in those areas of the Village south of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Edison transmission right-of-way.

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

Posted in Data Center, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Public Hearing | Leave a Comment »

On 1st day since winning 3rd term as governor, Pritzker releases 200-point national agenda

November 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Ben Szalinski | Capitol News Illinois

Article Summary

  • JB Pritzker released a 200-point policy plan on Wednesday he wants the new Democrat-controlled Congress to take up.
  • The plan is aimed at reversing many Trump administration policies that Pritzker believes harms Illinois.
  • The plan’s introduction comes as many political observers speculate Pritzker is considering running for president. He declined to offer any timeline for making a decision.

Full report here.

Posted in Capitol News Illinois, Democratic Socialists of America, Fat Bastard, Politics, Springfield, Taxes | 1 Comment »

Lake County voters reject 1% sales tax to help fund schools

November 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

57% of voters against and 43% in favor. 92,177 votes were cast in favor of the tax and 121,259 opposed it with 100% of the vote counted.

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Cuba Township, Elections, Lake, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Bought and paid for. Not sour grapes but reality.

November 4, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

 

IL State Senate District 26 Results

IL State House District 52 Results

Related: “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes”

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Clown Car, Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Economy, Education, Elections, ETSB, Fat Bastard, Fools and their money, Girlie man, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, Lipstick On A Pig, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 2 Comments »

Syed vs. Hills suburban state legislative race is one of the most expensive ever

November 3, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Republican Senator Darby Hills and Democrat Rep. Nabeela | Photos by Jerry Nowicki

Democrat Nabeela Syed is outraising Republican Darby Hills two to one in an Illinois Senate race that’s already fetched $6.5 million in contributions.

By Brett Chase | Chicago Sun*Times

Republicans are not expected to make a dent in Democrats’ supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly, but a multi-million-dollar suburban legislative race has turned into a fiery, closely watched contest in the lead-up to Election Day Tuesday.

In that race, state Rep. Nabeela Syed, a Democrat from Inverness, is challenging incumbent Republican Darby Hills of Barrington Hills for the Illinois Senate 26th District seat.

The $6.5 million raised makes it one of the most expensive contests in the history of the General Assembly, said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois.

Syed received at least $4.7 million in contributions, much of it from her party, while Hills has raised $1.8 million, said Kaplan, whose organization runs the Illinois Sunshine Database.

“The Democratic leadership wants to flip this seat, and it shows,” Kaplan said.

Syed raised more than $3 million from the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund, which is controlled by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. She’s also raised substantial amounts of money from unions.

Darby’s last big contribution from her party was in August when the Illinois Senate Republican Campaign gave her $300,000.

Report continues here.

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Posted in Chicago Sun*Times, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Fat Man Walking, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Polls are now open

November 3, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

It’s Election Day, 2026. We’re asking everyone to vote for the following with good reasons:

Our reasons to vote for Darby and Marty include:

Information on where you are registered to vote today can be found here.

PLEASE VOTE!

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Road construction, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions | Leave a Comment »

Your Vote Matters

November 2, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Jeanne Ives | Breakthrough Ideas

Tomorrow’s election will determine the direction of the country, state, and local governments for the next 2-4 years, and possibly longer. People should carefully consider who they choose to represent them in every office from forest preserve to the U.S. Senate. Voters should carefully consider candidates’ qualifications for the positions they seek, their past records if previously elected, and what they say they are going to do once in office. These officeholders will be making consequential decisions on you, your family, and your livelihood.

For too long, we have had Democrat control of the statehouse and statewide offices, and that has led to one of the slowest-growing and highest-taxed states in the nation. We’ve also become one of the most morally depraved states, celebrating abortion, allowing our kids to be indoctrinated in DEI nonsense, and diminishing parental rights in numerous ways. These policies and our trajectory as the dysfunctional neighbors on the block can be reversed if we get the right leadership.

While every race is important, a few races are real indicators of whether Illinois voters have really drunk the DSA Kool-Aid and whether enough commonsense voters still exist or are paying attention.

Darby Hills v. Nabeela Syed for State Senate District 26

Darby Hills is the incumbent, and she has real-world experience that makes her a valuable legislator. Her opponent went from college at UC Berkeley to running for state rep. She has no experience to speak of professionally or personally, such as owning a home and having a family. The district has some of the wealthiest areas of the state and also areas that are more modest. This suburban area has tended to be fiscally conservative and has some of the highest property taxes in the state. Who shows up to vote is very important. Listen to this interview with Darby Hills and share it with others ahead of the election tomorrow.

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTcm6U7NLA

Marty McLaughlin is running to retain his seat in the Illinois House.

He is one-half of the Darby Hills Senate district with the same situation. Are there enough voters aware of the issues and the qualifications to vote Marty back into office? Because choosing his unimpressive, pro-abort, resume-less Democrat opponent makes no sense at all. We need people with a deep understanding of local government, taxes, pensions, and more. Marty has that. He’s been a two-term mayor, manages pensions professionally, and understands business better than almost anyone else in the state house.

What will voters do? If Marty loses, Illinois loses, and it’s a bad indicator of worse things to come for taxpayers in this state.

Article continues here.

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Posted in Breakthrough Ideas, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Last day for early voting – Avoid the lines Tuesday

November 2, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Early voting ends today for the November 3, 2026 General Election. Again, polling locations by county are:

For general voting information, visit the Cook, Kane, Lake or McHenry County Clerk’s website(s).

Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”

Posted in BACOG, Breakthrough Ideas, Chicago Reader, Cook, County, Daily Herald, Economy, Elections, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Older Posts »