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Archive for July, 2024

Harris takes control

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Elections, Goat Rodeo, OP/Ed, Politics, The New York Times on July 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Vice President Kamala Harris

By David Leonhardt | The New York Times

What next?

With President Biden having dropped out of the race, I’m devoting today’s newsletter to four big questions about what happens next. My colleagues and I will also give you the latest news about the campaign.

Four questions

1. Is the Democratic nomination race already over?

It may be. Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be in a commanding position.

Some top Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, favor a competition to choose a new nominee. And an open process would have some big advantages. It would test whether Harris was a stronger politician than she had been during her failed 2020 campaign. If she won the competition, she would emerge from it looking like a winner who was more than Biden’s No. 2.

But a competition obviously requires more than one competitor, and Harris was the only top-tier Democrat to declare herself a presidential candidate yesterday. Many other Democrats endorsed her in the hours after Biden’s withdrawal.

Her list of backers include both progressives and moderates in Congress, as well as Biden, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and two governors who had been considered potential presidential candidates themselves: Gavin Newsom of California and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. The party’s nominating delegates from three states — North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee — unanimously voted yesterday to endorse Harris.

Overall, the hours after Biden’s exit went about as well as Harris could have hoped.

2. What will the Harris-Trump polls say now that they’re not hypothetical?

Polling experts frequently caution against trusting hypothetical survey results. People don’t always know how they will respond to a scenario that hasn’t yet happened, such as a sitting president’s departure from a campaign.

That said, the recent hypothetical polls about a race between Harris and Donald Trump have suggested he leads her, although more narrowly than he led Biden. A CBS News poll conducted this month, for example, showed that Trump had support from 51 percent of likely voters, compared with 48 percent for Harris.

As new polls emerge in coming days, it will be worth watching whether a Harris-Trump race effectively starts as a tossup — or something else.

3. How will Trump campaign against her?

For starters, Trump will emphasize the same unpopular parts of Biden’s performance that were already the central message of Trump’s campaign, including inflation and immigration. Given that Harris helped oversee Biden’s immigration policy, that subject will continue to play a central role.

But there are some uncertainties about how Trump and his aides will campaign against a Harris-led ticket. Among the questions: Will Republicans emphasize the candidates’ obviously different racial and gender profiles, much as Trump used gender-based messages against Hillary Clinton in 2016? Or will Trump tread more carefully now that he hopes to win a meaningful share of Asian, Black and Latino voters?

It does seem likely that Trump will emphasize some of Harris’s most liberal past positions, including her support in 2020 for Medicare for All, a policy that would effectively eliminate private health insurance.

4. How will Harris campaign differently from Biden?

Harris has one huge advantage over Biden: She isn’t 81 years old. She is an energetic campaigner, with a strong history as a debater.

She has some other advantages, too. Harris is more comfortable criticizing the Republican Party’s unpopular position on abortion than Biden has been. Nate Cohn, The Times’s chief political analyst, points out that recent polling data suggests she is also better positioned than Biden to hold onto support from some groups that have historically supported Democrats but soured on Biden, such as younger voters and voters of color.

At the same time, Harris is starting with some disadvantages relative to Biden, Obama and other recent nominees. Nate notes that the same polling data suggests Harris is weaker than Biden among voters over 65 and white voters without a college degree.

Above all, Harris has little track record of winning the type of swing voters who decide presidential elections. She comes from California, a liberal bastion. In her only Senate campaign, which she won, no Republican even qualified for the general election. Harris beat another Democrat.

If she is the nominee, I think the biggest question is: How she will appeal to swing voters in states like Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin?

Many of these voters are working-class Americans dissatisfied with the country’s direction. Many do not follow politics obsessively. Most are less liberal on social issues than prominent Democratic politicians, including Harris. Many have been attracted to feisty populist and patriotic messages, from both Trump and from Democratic Senate candidates. (Harris is likely to choose a running mate with a stronger history of winning swing voters.)

Harris will no doubt devote much of her campaign to an anti-Trump message. But a message organized almost entirely around Trump seems less likely to succeed than one that also focuses on her vision of the future — including how it differs from Biden’s vision and why even voters who are often skeptical of the Democratic Party should support Harris this year.

Source

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Village Board of Trustees meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, BACOG, Barbarian Migrants in Busses at the Gate, Big Red, Building Department, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Elections, ePacket Agendas, Ethics, Financial Reports, Land Use, Mac's Property Management, Mad Cows, Mówimy po polsku, OMA, One Barrington Hills, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Public Safety Committee, Real Estate, Roads & Bridges Committee, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Zoning Board on July 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Corrective Asphalt Materials LLC (CAM) for Pavement Rejuvenation Application on Select Village Maintained Roads Resolution 24 –
  • [Vote] An Ordinance Amending the Village’s Municipal Code Concerning Fireworks – Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8-2-13 Ordinance 24 –
  • [Vote] An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow an Elementary School at 160J Bateman Road Ordinance 24 –
  • [Vote] Resolution of Proclamation Commending Police Chief Joseph Colditz on his 25 Years of Dedicated Service to the Village of Barrington Hills Resolution 24 –
  • [Vote] A Resolution Appointing David Kann to the Position of Interim Police Chief for the Village of Barrington Hills Resolution 24 –
  • [Vote] Personnel Manual Revisions

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

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President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns

Posted in News Media, Politics on July 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

BY  COLLEEN LONG, ZEKE MILLER AND DARLENE SUPERVILLE | Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.

The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.

Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.

Biden, who remains at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, said he would address the nation later this week to provide “detail” about his decision.

The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

More here.

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Forest Preserves of Cook County July 2024 Newsletter

Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, FPDCC on July 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Sandhill cranes are one of the oldest known bird species still in existence. Fossils dating back more than two and a half million years suggest very little has changed in the basic structure of this large migrating bird. | Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis), Photo by: John D. Sather

In this Issue:

  • Insects Aren’t Just Cool–They’re Critical
  • Three Great Paddling Trips in the Forest Preserves
  • Remembering Commissioner Dennis Deer
  • Latest News: Three Things to Know Before You Drop a Line to Fish, Jazz in the Preserves is Almost Here, Explore the Wilds of Cook County, Find Adaptive Events and Accessible Locations in the Preserves
  • Upcoming Events
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Find it here.

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Chicago ranks as one of most stressed cities in country

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Crime, Deception, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, Unions on July 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Billboard within Chicago’s skyline | Chicago.gov

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributor

With the city of Chicago ranking as one of the most stressful places to live in the country in a new WalletHub survey, Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller says there’s a good reason why so many area residents feel the malaise that they do.

“J.B. Pritzker has destroyed safety and security in the city,” Miller told The Center Square. “The second thing that I think would be causing people stress is as a parent they’re turning the education system into not much more than an indoctrination center for the Radical Left. Then, there’s just the influx of illegal immigrants that are getting the gold card given to them when everybody else is having to pay for the illegal aliens that invaded the city. All those things combined, I can see why people are stressed out there.”

Overall, researchers compared data across 39 different metrics, including average weekly work hours to unemployment rate to divorce and suicide rates, with each of them being graded on a 100-point scale.

“I mean every cost and every quality of life issue has gotten worse under the Biden/Pritzker regime,” Miller added. “The cost of food, the cost of electricity, the cost of gas is doubled. These things are driving businesses out of the city, driving families out of the city and making it almost impossible for them to exist.”

Miller adds he sees just one way forward if the city is to have its best chance of turning things around.

“They need to reduce the tax rate; they need to reduce real estate taxes,” he said. “They need to improve their dealing with the crime problem. They need the schools to be fixed. They’re a lot of things that can be done to help make the city of Chicago better.”

Read more here.

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South Barrington Weekly E-News

Posted in 220, BACOG, Cook, County, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions on July 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“Dear Residents,

Next Tuesday, July 23, there will be Plan Commission/Zoning Public Hearings starting at 7 p.m. in Rose Hall.  It is vital that residents attend meetings early on to hear proposals that they care about and to add beneficial input. Among the agenda items, which can be viewed below, Forest View Estates is missing updated information and will likely be continued to a next date certain at this meeting.  There will also be a hearing to consider the Village’s request to rezone the property known as the Allstate property into a unified commercial business center. The property has been the subject of litigation as Allstate filed a petition to disconnect from the corporate limits of the Village. After a vigorous defense of the matter by the Village, the reviewing court ordered the disconnection of the property from the Village’s corporate limits. The Village is pursuing this zoning change as an zoning effort to protect Village residents from potential disruptive developments. The proposed plan for the property is similar to the one previously put forth and provides specific guidelines for its development. As with all our Village meetings, we hope you consider attending.

On Monday, July 15, Village Administrator Bob Palmer and I attended a press conference hosted by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.  He awarded $500,000 in federal community project funding to the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH) to make improvements to a 1.3-mile stretch of Central Road between Barrington Road and Huntington Boulevard in Hoffman Estates and South Barrington. The general improvements will include the addition of a multi-use path that will better connect areas along the route, such as Barrington Road and the I-90 Pace bus stop. During his presentation, Congressman Krishnamoorthi was joined by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, Tara Orbon Assistant Superintendent Cook County Dept. of Transportation and myself.

Below is my statement from Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s press release. For more about this project, please visit Central Road Improvements.

‘We are very excited and appreciate the efforts of Congressman Krishnamoorthi, President Preckwinkle and all of those who worked on the project towards improving our vital South Barrington entrance on Central Road,” South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie said. “The addition of a multi-use path as part of the project will enhance the roadway even further with the future proposed bike path connection on Barrington Road’

Pictured above (L to R) Mayor Paula McCombie, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle

Pictured above (L to R) Cook County Commissioner, Kevin Morrison; Mayor, Paula McCombie; Hoffman Estates Mayor, Bill McLeod; Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle; guest; and Tara Orbon, Assistant Superintendent Cook County Dept. of Transportation.

Several residents have been inquiring about our annual document-shredding event.  Please save the date of Saturday, September 7 from 9 am to 12 pm, for the Village’s Document Destruction Recycling Event at Village Hall, 30 S. Barrington Road, in the back parking lot adjacent to the Police Department. Residents from South Barrington and other SWANCC communities are eligible to participate.  Shredding materials will not be accepted from businesses, schools or institutions at this event. Please bring your ID for verification of residency. This event is for document shredding only.

The Arboretum Summer Concert Series continues this Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m., with Radio Gaga.  You will hear all the hits of Queen and Lady Gaga in this Vegas-style production show, complete with eye-popping costuming, dazzling choreography, and unmatched showmanship. Read below for more information about this event and other upcoming concerts or click here.

Picture above is from last weeks’ packed Arb concert, featuring Mike & Joe

As always, I can be reached by email at pmccombie@southbarrington.org or online through our website. I can also be reached through the anonymous comment boxes located in the Village Hall and Police Department lobbies. I read anonymous messages privately, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss any matter.

Have a great weekend!

Paula McCombie
South Barringtom Mayor”

Related: “Krishnamoorthi secures $500,000 in grants for roads near Hoffman Estates’ Bell Works development,” “Developer(s) eyeing former Allstate Insurance property in South Barrington,” “Bell Works Chicagoland in Hoffman Estates ready to add homes”

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How’s my community? Measures of how your piece of Illinois is doing.

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Countryside Elementary School, District 220 referendum, Education, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 19, 2024| 2 Comments »

Here are data snapshots of Illinois communities and schools. See how well your tax dollars are performing in your city, county or school compared to others.

By Illinois Policy Institute

The Illinois Policy Institute regularly produces data lookup tables reflecting how Illinois communities are doing. Here is the latest data. Use the “search” box in each to find your local numbers.

Editorial note: Below are the results of only one of three fields that we’ve chosen to feature.  Please visit the Institute’s full post HERE for much more data.

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Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Deception, FUBAR, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on July 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Lawmaker to lobbyist is a well-worn path at the Illinois Statehouse. But the new job of some former state lawmakers is to get their former colleagues to make it harder for their former constituents to work.

By Larry Han | Illinois Policy Institute

Some former Illinois lawmakers are busy getting current state lawmakers to make it tougher to get jobs in a state ranking third-worst for unemployment.

At least 50 occupational lobbies or for-profit vocational schools for regulated jobs in Illinois were represented directly by former Illinois General Assembly members or by lobbying firms employing them. The lobbyists work to protect existing workers from competition or to protect trade school profits, creating barriers for nearly 315,000 unemployed Illinoisans.

As of April 2024, the lobbyist clients included:

  • Tricoci University, a barber and cosmetology school
  • Auto & Truck Recyclers of Illinois
  • Illinois Physical Therapy Association
  • Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund
  • Independent Accountants Association of Illinois
  • Illinois Land Title Association
  • Chicago Journeyman Plumbers
  • Illinois State Medical Society
  • Illinois Nurses Association

There were many more.

In 2024, the following bills were introduced that would have made it easier for Illinoisans to work. Lawmakers adjourned in late May without these bills ever escaping the House Rules Committee, where bills famously go to die:

  • House Bill 4617: proposed a combination of online education and hands-on training for cosmetologists, as opposed to the current in-person education requirement.
  • House Bill 4988: would have ratified the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses to practice in 42 other states that are part of the compact.
  • House Bill 5006, House Bill 5147, House Bill 5148: proposed maximums on the fees required to obtain or renew a license.
  • House Bill 5007: would have created a Licensure Reform Task Force.
  • House Bill 5220: would have reduced the education hours required to become a barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, hair braider or nail technician. Even if it were enacted, nine states still would have had the same or less restrictive regulations.
  • House Bill 5608: would have enacted universal licensure recognition, allowing those with occupational licenses in other states to automatically obtain one in Illinois. Some form of license recognition is practiced in 26 states.

These bills all would have allowed competition for occupations or led to decreased revenue at for-profit vocational schools that employ former legislators as lobbyists.

Read more here.

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Festivals July 19-25: County fairs, Vernon Hills Days, Sugar Grove Corn Boil and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, Hoffman Estates, South Barrington on July 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Luke Zurawski

In progress

Kane County Fair: 3-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 17-18; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 19-20; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 155th annual fair featuring a 4-H show, kids’ events, Miller Lite Soundstage, carnival and more. Grandstand shows: Illinois State Pullers ($10) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Professional Championship Bullriders & Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and Demolition Derby ($10) at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Music from Eric Chesser at 7 p.m. Thursday; Pino Farina Band at 8 p.m. Friday; Hillbilly Rockstarz at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and Hi Infidelity at 8 p.m. Sunday. Pre-fair with carnival only from 3-11 p.m. Wednesday, with $5 admission to the fairgrounds and $32 for unlimited carnival rides. Fair admission: Cash at the gate: $5 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 for adults and $5 for kids 3-12 Friday through Sunday; and free for kids younger than 3. Seniors over 62 and military with ID admitted free after 5 p.m. Thursday. Season pass: $25. Free parking. kanecountyfair.com.

Vernon Hills Days: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 18; 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 19; 1-11 p.m. Saturday, July 20; and 1-7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Carnival, bingo, bags tournament, kids’ events and fireworks on Thursday. Music from The Boy Band Night at 7 p.m. Thursday; Alt 101 at 7 p.m. and Everclear at 9 p.m. Friday; The Gingers at 7 p.m. and Steve Augeri at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Mike & Joe at 6 p.m. Sunday. Wristband specials available. vhdays.com.

Friday, July 19

West Dundee River Challenge: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Grafelman Park, 112 N. 5th St., West Dundee. Community festival kicking off the first day of the Chicago Grit 10-day bike race criterium features bike races, inflatables, food, drinks, music, a kids zone and open-air market from 3-8 p.m., a family bike parade at 6:15 p.m. and an after party from 8-10:30 p.m. Free admission. wdundeeriverchallenge.org.

Lake Zurich Alpine Fest: Opens at 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, and noon Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21, at Lion Fred Blau Park, 81 E. Main St., Lake Zurich. Music, rides, carnival games, food and more. Music from Mike & Joe at 9 p.m. Friday; Mr. Blotto at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors at 4 p.m. Sunday. Parade at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. lzlions.com.

Alanis Morissette is one of the headliners at the Pitchfork Music Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, July 19-21, at Chicago’s Union Park. | Associated Press

Pitchfork Music Festival: Gates open at noon Friday through Sunday, July 19-21, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Headliners include 100 GECS at 6:15 p.m., Jai Paul at 7:25 p.m. and Black Pumas at 8:30 p.m. Friday; Jessie Ware at 6:15 p.m., Carly Rae Jepsen at 7:25 p.m. and Jamie XX at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and Muna at 6:15 p.m., Brittany Howard at 7:25 p.m. and Alanis Morissette at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. General admission tickets start at $119 per day; VIP and three-day passes available. pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

Hanover Park COPS Day Picnic: 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Hanover Park Park District Community Park, 1919 Walnut, Hanover Park. Emergency vehicle show and touch-a-truck, petting zoo, community resource fair, DJ, mascots, games and activities. Police dog demo at 6:30 p.m. Screening of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at dusk. Free. hpil.org.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Main Stage Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Jolly Ringwalds will perform. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.

Saturday, July 20

Calibre Car Show: 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. The theme is “Bimmers & Beans” presented by Windy City BMW. Sponsored by Calibre Coffee. Free. shopthearb.com/events.

Emmett’s BrewFest & Adult Big Wheel Race: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Emmett’s Brewing Company West Dundee, 128 W. Main St., West Dundee. BrewFest features seven craft breweries, plus adult Big Wheel races, live bands, food tent and a car show. Free admission; $40 to participate in the Big Wheel races. emmettsbrewingco.com.

Live Music at Bridges Beer Garden: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. The StingRays will perform. Concessions available. Free. heparks.org.

Buford T. “Big Hoss” Bluegrass Festival: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at Judson University Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St. (Route 31), Elgin. Judson Bluegrass Experience opens the event. Other performers include Standard Strings, Truman’s Ridge, Grass Attack, Paddygrass, The Carl Bentley Band, Fox Crossing String Band, and Thunder and Rain, with The Price Sisters as the headliner. Meet-and-greets at lunch and dinner. Food, clog dancing, contests and more. $50. bufordtamerica.com/events.

View a variety of classic cars during the Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night from 3-9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the East Metra parking lot in Mount Prospect. | Courtesy of Mike Zarnek

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the East Metra parking lot, near the intersection of Route 83 and Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect. Classic cars, entertainment and more. mplions.org/cruise-nights.

Taco & Art Fest: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National St., West Chicago. Food, art, and performances by Mariachi Universiario and Jose Valdes & The Mambo All-Stars. Free. we-goparks.org.

Summer Insect Extravaganza: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Nature Center at Spring Valley, Schaumburg. Games, crafts and search for insects in the prairie and at the pond. At dusk, take a wagon ride to the woods for a short walk to see the fireflies. $3; $12 per family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com.

Rotaryfest Fireworks: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at Rotary Green 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. elkgrove.org/community/special-events/rotaryfest.

Sunday, July 21

Lambs Farm Car Show Benefit: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. See a variety of makes and models of cars, bikes and trucks in the main parking lot. Free for spectators. lambsfarm.org.

Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. The Luxmen will perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Tuesday, July 23

Sounds of Summer — Family Picnic Series: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Nanny Nikki will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.

Buffalo Grove Park District Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. GooRoos will perform. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs. No outside alcohol allowed. Free. bgparks.org/summer-concert-series.

Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Rosie & the Rivets will perform. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.

Wednesday, July 24

Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Radio Gaga will perform. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.

Lake County Fair: Livestock barns open at 8 a.m. (milking competition at 7 a.m. Wednesday). Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 24-25; 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 26-27; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Food, carnival rides, motocross, monster trucks, demolition derby, bull riding, pig races, livestock competitions and more. Music includes Donnie Lee Strickland at 5 p.m. and Brass From The Past at 8 p.m. Thursday; GooRoos at 6 p.m. and Motown Nation at 9:30 p.m. Friday; 90s Pop Nation at 9 p.m. and Matthew Holm Band at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Billy Elton at 5 p.m. and Total Beaches at 6 p.m. Sunday. lcfair.com/2024.

Food Truck Socials: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Features a rotating selection of food trucks. lakezurich.org.

Party in the Park Anniversary Celebration: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Apple Orchard Community Park, 620 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. The Bartlett Park District is celebrating 60 years with giant backyard games, inflatables, DJ, crafts, a foam party and more. Food trucks will be selling food. Free. bartlettil.gov.

Thursday, July 25

Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Cook and Station streets in downtown Barrington. Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out.

Thirsty Thursdays: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Arena rock and hairband tribute band The Lounge Puppets will perform. Food and drinks for purchase. Bring a lawn chair. Free. eastdundee.net.

Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Bopology will perform. Bring a picnic, coolers, food, drinks, chairs, blankets and small tables. Seating is first-come, first-served. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series.

A fireworks display closes out Algonquin Founders’ Days festival on Sunday, July 28. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, 2015

Algonquin Founders’ Days: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Main Street and Riverfront Park, and 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 27; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive, Algonquin. The theme is “Goes to the Movies.” Come dressed as your favorite movie character and win the Oscar for Best Character in a Community Event. New this year: Founders’ Brewfest from 5-9:30 p.m. Thursday. Cardboard Boat Regatta at 4 p.m. and Main Street Car Show at 5 p.m. Thursday. Taste of Founders’ from 5-11 p.m. Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Bags tournament at 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Founders’ Goes to the Movies Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday from Eastgate Drive to Algonquin Road, Algonquin to Main Street, and Main to Madison Street. Founders’ 1-mile run at 8 a.m. and 10K/5K at 8:30 a.m., vendors market and bazaar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids’ games from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., baking contest at noon and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Sunday. Music from Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25; Rok Brigade at 6:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 26; Focal Point at 4:30 p.m., Hairbangers Ball at 6 p.m. and ARRA at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27; and Jimmy Nick and Don’t Tell Mama at 4:30 p.m. and Pino Farina Band at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28. The best band nominees will perform at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday. algonquinfoundersdays.com.

Sugar Grove Corn Boil: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 25; 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Volunteer Park, Sugar Grove. Opening parade at 5 p.m. Friday. Bob Bohler Memorial Fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and car show ($10 per entry) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Music, corn, food and more. Free shuttle service at the library and municipal center. sugargrovecornboil.org.

Harper College Summer Concert Series: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Drs. Kenneth and Catherine Ender Pavilion on Harper’s campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Harper College Concert Choir will perform. Bring lawn chairs or blankets; park in lots 9 and 10. harpercollege.edu.

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How to get your Illinois Driver’s license on your phone

Posted in Springfield on July 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Dylan Sharke and Kurtis Karg | Illinois Policy Institute

The Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed legislation allowing motorists to download an electronic version of their driver’s license or identification card to their phones.

Residents will need to download a unique app on their phones in order to access the digital ID. Illinois will soon join the majority of states that are in the process or are already offering mobile driver’s licenses for use at stores and traffic stops.

The legislation also declares the mobile version of the identification card or driver’s license will not replace the physical copy and is not required but will instead work as a companion, allowing Illinoisans to use either format. There is an exception for law enforcement officials who may request the physical copy.

For those worried about the cost, the legislation states the fee to install the app and download the mobile license will not exceed $6.

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