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A Polling Place for Some: Barrington High School’s Invitation-Only Early Voting

October 15, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

This week, Barrington High School hosted an early voting site for the General Election, run with the Cook County Clerk’s Office. According to District 220’s own announcement, the site was for eligible BHS students and staff, and students served as election judges. Everyone else, including the veteran down the street, the retiree on a fixed schedule, and the parent who pays the taxes that run the building, was not invited.

This isn’t a one-off. It’s part of the Clerk’s “Defenders of DA’mocracy” program. In the spring primary, 24 suburban high schools became fully functioning voting sites. On a single day, those school sites recorded 1,136 ballots, more than the 1,021 cast during the first seven days at the regular countywide locations. The Clerk calls that success. I call it a government office choosing which voters get a polling place brought to their door.

Brought to you by the “Chicago Bears?”

The program’s name isn’t a typo. “DA’mocracy” is a nod to “Da Bears,” because the Clerk’s Office developed the program in partnership with the Chicago Bears. Yes, a professional football franchise is a named partner in a program that runs official polling places inside public schools.

The public announcements don’t answer the questions any taxpayer should ask. What does the Bears’ role actually involve? Is the team providing money, materials, staff, or promotion? Is there a written agreement, and who signed it? Does the team have any say in which schools are chosen? Is anyone else sponsoring election administration in Cook County?

A private organization, especially one that is lobbying local and state governments for stadium deals and public money, has no business being involved in how elections are run unless every term of that relationship is public. “Partnership” is a word that hides more than it explains. The Clerk’s Office should release the agreement and any related communications, and if it won’t, voters should ask why.

Shut out of their own school

District 220 spans four counties: Cook, Lake, McHenry, and Kane. Barrington High School is its only high school. Because the site was run by the Cook County Clerk, only Cook County voters could use it. Students and staff who live in Lake, McHenry, or Kane County, along with all of the district’s taxpayers in those three counties, were shut out of a polling place set up in their own school.

Some voters are more equal than others

Defenders will point out that Illinois already provides on-site voting for residents of nursing homes and veterans’ facilities. That’s true, but it isn’t the same thing. That process is limited to physically incapacitated voters who apply in advance, and it’s run as supervised vote-by-mail on one of the few days just before the election. Nobody is setting up a full early voting site in the VFW hall or the senior center, staffed by its members, open on a weekday for that community alone. If convenience-based, community-specific polling places are good policy, why do only high schools get them? It’s fair to ask whether the expected voting patterns of each group have anything to do with it.

Who is watching?

Illinois law is clear that pollwatchers may be appointed to observe early voting at each permanent and temporary polling place where early voting is conducted. If credentialed pollwatchers from candidates, parties, or civic organizations were turned away or never given a realistic chance to attend, the public deserves an explanation. A polling place inside a school building, during school hours, surrounded by the school’s own staff, needs more transparency than usual, not less.

Equal treatment, full disclosure

None of this is about whether young people should vote. They should. It’s about equal treatment and open government. If the Clerk wants to bring the ballot box to a community, every community should be eligible, observers should have the access the law guarantees, and the public should be able to see exactly who is partnering with the office that runs our elections. Until then, voters are right to ask whether “civic engagement” means engaging the voters the system prefers, and whose interests are being served in the process.

Image Source: Barrington 220 School District Facebook Post

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Barrington High School, Elections, Ethics, Guest Essay, Illinois Federation of Teachers, OP/Ed, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 4 Comments »

Things to do Oct. 16-22: Nightmare on Chicago Street, Long Grove Pet Costume Parade, Barrington Area TasteFest and more

October 15, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Last year’s Nightmare on Chicago Street in Elgin drew a large crowd. This year’s event takes place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17. | John Starks/Daily Herald

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Oct. 16

Nightmare on Chicago Street: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at East Chicago and North Spring streets, Elgin. On Friday, music from The Ataris at 6 p.m., Plain White T’s at 7:30 p.m., and Gym Class Heroes at 9 p.m. on Chicago Street. Plus, food and beverage vendors, a haunted attraction, roaming performers and access to Cirque D’ Freak, Nightmare’s twisted circus-themed zone filled with sinister clowns and sideshow performers. On Saturday, across eight city blocks, a postapocalyptic world, with themed zones, costumed performers, Nightmare Alley, three stages of music, a costume contest, celebrity appearances, food and beverages. $40.86-$96.48. Tickets: nightmareonchicagostreet.com

Military Miniature Society of Illinois Show: 3-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, 50 Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Features the work of modelers from around the world displaying painted miniature figures and original sculptures. Vendor area offers model kits, paints, tools, books and more. $10, free for kids 12 and younger and active military with I.D. military-miniature-society-of-illinois.com.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18, and Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 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.

Zombie Fun Run: 6-8 p.m. Friday Oct. 16, at Volkening Lake, 900 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Run or walk in your Halloween costume for nearly two miles while being chased by zombies. Fee includes a hot dog or brat, chips and a drink. $10-$15. parkfun.com/event/zombie-fun-run

Oddities Night: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. A Victorian Halloween gathering with a tarot card reader, a magician, spooky treats and more. 21 and older. Registration fee. ahpd.org.

Buddy Guy will celebrate his 90th birthday Friday, Oct. 16, at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. | Charles Sykes/AP

Buddy Guy 90: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee will celebrate a historic milestone. Tickets start at $49. rialtosquare.com

Lake Forest Preservation Symposium: Various times, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18, at Ragdale, Lake Forest College, and select historic sites in Lake Forest. The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation and Ragdale, in celebration of their shared 50th anniversaries, brings together national and regional voices in architecture, preservation, planning, design and civic life for a three-day conversation about historic places and the future of communities. To register and for a list of events, visit lfpf.org/events.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Dundee Depot Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Vintage finds, handmade goods, bakery goods and locally crafted products. eastdundee.net

Haunted Hoffman Family Fest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates. Trick-or-treat with characters. Registration required. $9 in advance; if space is available, on-site registration is $12. heparks.org

Midwest Daffodil Society Bulb Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Daffodil enthusiasts will offer expert growing tips. Hundreds of varieties of daffodil bulbs for purchase. Included with admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Midwest Fruit Explorers Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See a display of freshly harvested fruit grown in the area by members of the Midwest Fruit Explorers. Included with general admission. chicagobotanic.org.

Reenactors fire a cannon during the Civil War Encampment and Battle in Hainesville. This year’s event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18. | Ryan Rayburn/for the Daily Herald

Civil War Encampment & Battle: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, off South Hainesville Road, Hainesville. Relive history as period-garbed reenactors re-create battle, bivouacs, battlefield surgeries and historical presentations of the American Civil War. Free. hainesville.org/civil-war-event

Open House Chicago: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, in several locations in Chicago. The Chicago Architecture Center hosts a free public festival that offers rare, behind-the-scenes access to sites of architectural, historical and cultural significance and spotlights businesses, organizations and creative leaders contributing to the vitality of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Free. architecture.org

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society Lily Bulb Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Presented by the Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society. Included with admission. chicagobotanic.org.

“Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure”: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. In this bilingual/bicultural musical, Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. But when a spirited candy skeleton springs to life, Vita finds herself on a musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos. $35; free for kids 17 and younger with the purchase of a regular ticket. tickets.eccartscenter.org.

Clay Jenkinson: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Renowned humanities scholar, author and historical interpreter Clay Jenkinson brings Thomas Jefferson to life. $49-$59. rauecenter.org.

Train Saturdays: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the DuPage County Historical Museum auditorium, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. See an HO-scale model train operated by the DuPage Society of Model Engineers. Detailed layout covers more than 2,000 feet of track and highlights some of DuPage County’s railroads and landmarks. Suggested donation: $5, $2 for kids and seniors. dupagemuseum.org.

Morton Arboretum walking play: 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, starting at Thornhill Shelter at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A retelling of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a 1.5-mile walk, with no intermission. Low-impact offering Saturday covers a shorter distance at a slower pace and stays near paved paths where possible. Suitable for 12 and older, with some dark themes and mild violence. $27 for 18 and older and $17 for kids 2-17. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.

Ghost Story Train: 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride a spooky trolley to the haunted forest preserve for family-friendly frights, including stories around the campfire with treats from Margie’s Girls’ Kitchen. A ghostly musician will lead campfire songs. Costumes welcome. $20. Register at foxtrolley.org/Ghost-Story-Train.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Chicago Railroadiana & Model Train Show and Sale: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $6 or free for kids younger than 12. rrshows.com.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 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.

The Long Grove Pet Costume Parade steps off Sunday, Oct. 18, at Brother’s Field. | Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association

Pet Costume Parade: Noon Sunday, Oct. 18, at Brothers’ Field, 340 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Prizes for Best Dressed, Most Unique Costume and Judge’s Favorite. Registration recommended. Free. longgrove.org/festival/october-days.

McGarry, Ganz & Versace: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Jazz with Grammy-nominated artists Kate McGarry, Keith Ganz and Gary Versace. $39.19 and free for students 18 and younger with a paid adult. barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Taste samples from local food and drink suppliers at the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Barrington Area TasteFest Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington. | Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce

Barrington Area TasteFest: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets, 22221 N. Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. Sample food and drinks from local restaurants, microbrewers, wineries and distillers, with live music and a chance to grab fast-moving cash in the Barrington Bank & Trust Co. money machine. The first 200 attendees will receive a collectible TasteFest glass at the door. $50 in advance, $55 at the door. barringtonchamber.com.

Pumpkin Festival: Various times Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 21-25, with many activities at Main and State streets and on the courthouse lawn, Sycamore. Decorated pumpkins, carnival, nonprofit vendors, craft shows, activities and entertainment on Saturday. Autumn Craft and Treasures Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Sycamore High School Fieldhouse; $1-$3 entry fee. The 48th annual Sycamore Chamber 10K Pumpkin Run is at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Pumpkin Festival Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. Free; some activities have fees. sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

Thursday, Oct. 22

Spooky Trail: 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and 7:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National St., West Chicago. Encounter clowns, creepy crawlies and other frightful surprises along the quarter-mile Spooky Trail. Only 150 presale tickets available each night. $15 or $18 at the door. Register: we–goparks.org/special-events

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. Extra fees for some activities. goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duchess Manor: Select times and dates through Nov. 1, at The Arboretum, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. The story centers on a rarely seen duchess living in the sprawling estate she constructed within The Arboretum. Also offers a lights-on experience without actors or jump scares. Tickets start at $27 or $7 for the lights-on experience. shopthearb.com

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

Find much more here.

Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights | Leave a Comment »

Passersby rescue driver through windshield after semi-truck hauling sand rolls over, shuts down Route 14 in Barrington

October 14, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Police, firefighters and Maximum Towing & Recovery crews respond after a semi-truck hauling a dump trailer overturned and spilled nearly 20 tons of sand across Route 14 just north of Berry Road in Barrington Wednesday, shutting down the roadway for almost three hours. | Photo: Nick Rusin

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

(In case you were wondering last week) A semi-truck driver was pulled out through the windshield by two passersby after the truck and its dump trailer overturned and spilled nearly 20 tons of sand across Route 14 in Barrington, police said.

The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 11:18 a.m. Wednesday to Route 14, also known as Northwest Highway, just north of Berry Road in Barrington for a report of an overturned semi-truck.

Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said a 2007 Freightliner semi-truck hauling a dump trailer was traveling southbound on Northwest Highway about 200 feet south of Lake Zurich Road.

The driver noticed the load of sand being hauled in the trailer was tipping over.

The overturned truck, trailer and sand covered all lanes of Northwest Highway.

The driver, a 33-year-old Chicago man, was pulled out of the cab through the front windshield by two passersby who have not been identified, Daigle said.

The driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Full report can be found here.

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

Endorsement: McLaughlin for Illinois House Dist. 52

October 14, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills spoke out in February against Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control of residential zoning rules in a news conference in South Barrington. Flanking him were Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine, left, and South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

Daily Herald Editorial Board

In District 52, incumbent Republican Martin McLaughlin brings a lengthy Springfield record focused on fiscal responsibility. We endorsed him in 2020 for his energy and resourcefulness, in 2022 for his measured approach to state government and in 2024 as a steadfast voice for controlled spending. Democratic challenger Maria Peterson emphasizes lower costs for working families, affordable housing, gun-violence prevention, health care and tax changes. While Peterson is a strong candidate, McLaughlin’s experience and focus on fiscal restraint and oversight continue to make him the stronger choice. McLaughlin is endorsed.

Endorsement can be seen here.

Related: “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District” – Chicago Tribune

Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Daily Herald, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, League of Women Voters, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills Park District/Riding Club meets tonight

October 14, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:

  • Discussion of equine emergency stabling
  • Discussion of Treasurer’s overview
  • Grant Applications

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, E-bikes, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Simple Minds, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, Your Barrington Hills | Leave a Comment »

District 220 board members approve policy update on political activities

October 13, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

In the wake of four (4) school board members coming under investigation, Barrington Area Unit School District 220 has updated a key policy governing political activity by elected officials.

The update, approved by board members last week, allows board members seeking elected office to mention District 220 or use incidental photos of district property in campaign materials, but only as long as they don’t suggest a district endorsement.

“Not to say that the prior policy wasn’t great, but this, I think, clarifies a lot of things,” board member Steve Wang said.

The policy update comes after board member Erin Chan Ding was found to have violated district policies by using school resources, property and social media for prohibited political campaign activities related to her campaign for the Illinois House.

Fellow board members Leah Collister-Lazzari and Barry Altshuler also violated policies by posting images of students, district property and the district’s chess piece logo on campaign social media sites during their 2023 runs for school board.

School board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing regarding a photo of her in front of Barrington High School that appeared in a news article related to the 2025 election.

The board next will be examining its ethics and gift ban policies, officials said

Report continues here.

Related: ““District 220 board members violated campaign policies, investigation finds,” “Proposed Policy Change Would Strip Anonymous Formal Grievances in Barrington District 220,” “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “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, Clown Car, Conflict of interest, Daily Herald, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Fundraisers, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Organizations, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 6 Comments »

For some D220 parents: In the age of AI and social media, one west suburban school district goes analog

October 12, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Cole Rogerson works on a graphic organizer during a seventh-grade English language arts class on Sept. 25, 2026, at Hinckley Big-Rock Middle School in Big Rock. The school banned cellphones and aims for their students to do more work on paper. | Dominic Di Palermo/for the Aurora Beacon-News

By Molly Morrow  | Aurora Beacon-News

Before Hinckley-Big Rock banned cellphones, things looked a lot different at the district’s three schools. Students were using their phones throughout the school day, and there was more technology-based discipline and concern about kids recording each other without permission, school leadership says.

Even during lunch, students would often be on their cellphones.

“They would sit next to each other, but they wouldn’t be interacting with each other,” Becky Lauer, Hinckley-Big Rock High School’s principal, recalled.

In the fall of 2024, when the district implemented a strict no-cellphone policy, that all changed.

It was an adjustment — and an awkward one, at that, according to Lauer. But, in time, the high-schoolers got used to it.

Nowadays, the high school cafeteria’s a lot louder. But it’s a good kind of noise, she says.

Hinckley-Big-Rock was among the Illinois school districts that banned or restricted cellphone use well before the passage of state legislation that will prohibit students in Illinois public schools from using cellphones throughout the day starting next school year.

Brantley Karns, right, works on a graphic organizer while paraprofessional Rebekah Hett helps Micah Simonson with his work during a seventh-grade English language arts class on Sept. 25, 2026, at Hinckley Big-Rock Middle School in Big Rock. | Dominic Di Palermo/for the Aurora Beacon-News

But Hinckley-Big Rock decided to take it a step further this year, shifting away from all students having their own personal computers and instead housing district computers at school for them to be shared. In tandem with that change, administrators and teachers describe a general reduction in computer use in the classroom district-wide.

Generally speaking, students are now doing lots of reading and assignments on paper. Rough drafts of essays are being handwritten, with only the final copy typed up. The school is even looking to switch back to paper standardized tests, staff say.

Handwriting’s back, too, with more focused instruction than had been offered in recent years.

Article continues here.

Related: “Barrington parents ask District 220 to reduce students’ screen time”

Posted in 220, 300, Aurora Beacon-News, Barrington Education Association, Chicago Tribune, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Entertainment, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District

October 12, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

Martin McLaughlin is a Republican running to represent Illinois’ 52nd House District. (George Papadakis)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Republican state Rep. Martin “Marty” McLaughlin barely survived his last election, defeating Democrat Maria Peterson by just 47 votes in 2024. The two are facing off again in this northwest suburban district.

McLaughlin, 61, an investment manager and former Barrington Hills village president, has been a consistent voice for fiscal restraint in Springfield. He identifies property taxes as the district’s most pressing problem and has helped residents navigate the appeals process. “If government is going to keep raising the bill, taxpayers at least deserve to know how to fight an unfair assessment,” he told us.

McLaughlin’s fiscal conservatism is important in a state that desperately needs greater discipline in that area.

Martin McLaughlin is endorsed.

Read the full editorial endorsement here.

Editorial note: Representative McLaughlin is also endorsed by:

  • Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, Mayor, North Barrington*
  • Paula McCombie, Village President, South Barrington*
  • Karen Darch, Former Mayor, Barrington*
  • Andrew Burke, Mayor, Lake Barrington*
  • Kevin Richardson, Former Mayor, Lake Barrington*
  • Keith Vogeler, Mayor, Port Barrington
  • Jeff Sode, Mayor, Wauconda
  • Debby Sosine, Village President, Algonquin
  • Ray Bogdanowski, Village President, Lake in the Hills
  • Donna Johnson, Mayor, Libertyville
  • Richard McLaughlin, Mayor, Island Lake
  • Steve Henley, Mayor, Volo

It’s important to note McLaughlin’s campaign rival lives in North Barrington yet she could not garner an endorsement for this or her prior campaigns.

*Present and former members of the Barrington Area Council Of Governments (BACOG).

 

Posted in BACOG, Board of Education, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Village Code | 1 Comment »

Poll: Majority of voters concerned about socialists running for office

October 12, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square

A majority of American voters are concerned with socialist candidates running and possibly winning political office, according to a new poll.

The Center Square Voters’ Voice poll found that 55% of American voters are concerned about Democratic Socialist candidates running for and winning elected office in the U.S., while 37% aren’t concerned.

A slew of candidates running as democratic socialists appears to be raising alarms with a majority of American voters.

Of the 55% who are concerned, 35% are very concerned, while 20% say they are “somewhat concerned.”

(Click on image to enlarge)

Of those not concerned, only 17% say they are not too concerned, while 20% say they are not at all concerned.

The poll comes as several Democratic Socialist candidates have risen in popularity across the country. The Democratic Socialists of America are touting 67 wins across the country, with 93 running. However, the group includes 62 DSA candidates who have lost.

Report continues here.

 

Posted in Blame Canada, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Village Code | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Celebrates Claremont Subdivision’s Groundbreaking

October 11, 2026 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Village of Barrington Trustee Todd Sholeen, Fire Chief John Christian, Deputy Police Chief Lori Allsteadt, and Village staff joined Vintage Luxury Homes President Joe Elias, Development Director Brooke Elias, other Vintage Luxury Homes staff, and community members today for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Claremont subdivision.

The development will feature 88 custom luxury single-family homes along with a wide range of on-site amenities, including more than 40 acres of open space, a clubhouse, a fitness facility, a swimming pool, sports courts and more.

For more information, visit Claremont’s website.”

Posted by the Village of Barrington

Posted in Barrington High School, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Privacy, Real Estate, Traffic, Village of Barrington | Leave a Comment »

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