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Archive for October, 2024

Madigan Trial Week in Review

Posted in ComEd Four, Crime, Elections, Ethics, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, The Chicago Way on October 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exits the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago on Monday, Oct. 21, after opening statements in his federal corruption concluded. | Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams

Capitol News Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel is covering the corruption trial of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago.

The former speaker, who left office under growing pressure related to the FBI investigation surrounding him in early 2021, faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, extortion and wire fraud.

For the full background on the trial, the yearslong investigation and Madigans’s fall from power, read Meisel’s preview story here: 4 decades after rising to power and nearly 4 years since his fall, former Speaker Madigan goes to trial

To summarize, prosecutors allege he used his political power and various offices – including as a partner in his law firm – as a “criminal enterprise” to protect and enhance his power while enriching himself and his allies. But his defense attorneys argue the state is trying to criminalize the political process and baseline constituent services.

His co-defendant Mike McClain, a veteran Statehouse lobbyist and longtime Madigan confidant, was already convicted on public corruption charges last year in the separate but related “ComEd Four” trial.  The feds are again trying to show McClain is an “agent” of Madigan, while his defense attorneys say he simply engaged in legal relationship maintenance, a core function of lobbying

Below is a rundown of the coverage from the courtroom – where the trial is scheduled each Monday through Thursday well into December. This page will be updated as the trial progresses.

Monday, Oct. 21

Madigan’s approach to power at center of opening statements in his corruption trial: The jury heard Madigan’s opening statements and got a first look at a key piece of evidence that has for years been teased in legal filings. In that grainy video, Madigan meets with Chicago Ald. Danny Solis to discuss how the speaker’s property tax appeals firm could get business from an apartment development project. But Solis, the chair of Chicago City Council’s powerful zoning board, was secretly wearing a video camera. Read the story here.

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Feds ‘turned over heaven and earth’ in Madigan probe but found no real bribes, co-defendant says: It was McClain’s day for opening statements on Tuesday as he sat at a defense table for the beginning of his second corruption trial in 19 months. His defense attorneys sought to show the government had tunnel vision as a result of its yearslong investigation into Madigan and “wrongly concluded that since Mike Madigan is powerful, therefore he must be corrupt.” The jury also heard from a pair of former lawmakers who had conflicts with Madigan. Read the story here.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

ComEd exec testifies utility prepared for bankruptcy before 2011 law threw it a lifeline: McClain’s role as electric utility Commonwealth Edison’s longtime top contract lobbyist is central to the trial. On Wednesday, a ComEd executive said the company was preparing for bankruptcy in 2007 and continued in “dire” financial straits before it successfully lobbied for a 2011 law that helped make it profitable again. How that measure became law – and whether it happened legally – was the focus of Wednesday’s court proceedings. Read the story here.

Thursday, Oct. 24

‘My client is the speaker’: Jury hears wiretapped calls of Madigan co-defendant, longtime friend: The jury heard witness testimony and nearly three dozen wiretapped phone calls on Thursday. Included were calls the feds hope will bolster their argument that McClain was Madigan’s “agent” – a term McClain himself sometimes used. In another call, McClain told a colleague: “Your client is only Mike Madigan. It’s not the Democratic Party … it’s not anybody that hired you, it’s not your mom and dad. The only person you care about is Mike Madigan.” Read the story here.

Capitol News Illinois

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Trick-or-treat times in the suburbs

Posted in Entertainment, Nostalgia, Public Safety, Topics Of Interest on October 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

Daily Herald report

Halloween is Thursday, Oct. 31.

Some communities are offering printable signs for those who wish to inform trick-or-treaters that their household is opting out of giving candy. Various towns also offer information on recycling your pumpkin at Pumpkin Smash events.

See some local town’s websites for guidelines and more information.

Click here for the full list.

Editorial note: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” first aired 58 years ago on Oct. 27, 1966. The run time was 25 minutes – unheard of today for a 30-minute network broadcast.

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5 years in prison for Barrington man who stole almost $2 million from elderly woman in Cary

Posted in Crime, Riding Club of Barrington Hills on October 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Douglas Boncosky, 55, of Barrington

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A man has been sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of nearly $2 million to an elderly woman who he stole the money from in Cary.

The Cary Police Department said they received a report on August 26, 2023, of a person stealing money from an elderly family member.

The suspect, Douglas Boncosky, 55, of Barrington, was named power of attorney in 2018 over an 80-year-old woman, according to Cary Deputy Police Chief Scott Naydenoff.

The victim, who is a family member of Boncosky, resided in Cary.

Detectives began an investigation and determined that Boncosky unlawfully wrote numerous checks to himself and his business, Americas Best Bath Company, from the victim’s account, Naydenoff and prosecutors said.

He also unlawfully transferred funds to himself and his business from the victim’s account, Naydenoff said.

Naydenoff said evidence obtained showed an estimated $1.9 million was stolen and used by Boncosky for personal gain.

The case was reviewed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, which in October 2023 approved charges of aggravated identity theft, theft exceeding $1 million, financial exploitation and forgery.

The most serious charges against Boncosky were Class X felonies, which carry six to 30 years in prison.

More here.

Related: “Former CEO accused of stealing $1.8M from relative allowed access to funds to pay lawyer,” “Barrington man charged with stealing $1.9 million from elderly woman in Cary over span of 4 years”

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Farmers Almanac: Illinois winter to be ‘cold, wet, and white’

Posted in Clown Car, Topics Of Interest on October 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

If the Farmers’ Almanac is correct with its forecast, this winter is going to be unpleasant in Illinois.

The publication has been around since 1818, and has provided weather forecasts since day one.

Editor Sandi Duncan said many factors go into their weather forecasting, including celestial events and the impact of a La Nina weather pattern.

“We also look at sun spot activity, the motion of the moon and a variety of other proprietary factors,” said Duncan.

She said Illinois can expect a winter that is cold, wet and white. Above-average precipitation is forecasted for the eastern third of the U.S., including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest. Her publication is red flagging the last week of January for most of the eastern half of the U.S. as they expect an active storm track that will dump frequent bouts of heavy precipitation.

Last winter’s strange anomalies were driven by an El Niño event, but this year’s steadier La Niña influence should bring more consistent winter weather patterns.

While the Almanac predicts the coldest temperatures to be in the Great Lakes region, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Illinois could see slightly above average temperatures from December through February.

More here.

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State’s attorney says end of cash bail an ‘abject failure’ in his Illinois county (Maria)

Posted in County, Crime, Elections, McHenry, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, The Center Square on October 25, 2024| 1 Comment »

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

A full year into the state’s end of cash bail, a suburban county state’s attorney says the law has been “an abject failure” for his county.

Illinois ended cash bail statewide in September 2023 after litigation against the law was struck down by the Illinois Supreme Court. The Pretrial Fairness Act is part of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today, or SAFE-T, Act.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said the data in his county doesn’t show what proponents promised.

“There was a 30% increase in crime by those on pretrial release compared to those on cash bail,” Kenneally told The Center Square.

Contrary to proponents of the Pretrial Fairness Act who said the law would decrease jail populations, Kenneally said he found the opposite in his county.

“On the eve of the SAFT-T Act, on Sept. 17, 2023, there were 204 people in the McHenry County Jail and on Sept. 15 of 2024, which is exactly one year counting for the leap year, there were 216 people in the McHenry County Jail,” Kenneally said.

The findings didn’t stop there. Kenneally said there was a 280% increase in the number of criminal defendants who didn’t appear for their hearings. But one area he highlighted with the end of cash bail is the diminished victim’s compensation fund.

“If people are no longer required to put down any deposit of money, what that means is that even if you say, ‘hey, you have to pay a victim this amount in restitution’ … a very little amount of that money is being paid,” he said.

Read more here.

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Chicago Tribune endorses Martin McLaughlin

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Elections, Ethics, OP/Ed, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, Springfield, Taxes on October 25, 2024| 2 Comments »

Martin McLaughlin. (Martin McLaughlin campaign)

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | Chicago Tribune

Today, the Tribune Editorial Board publishes our third installment of endorsements for all contested Illinois House races in 2024.

District 52

Republican incumbent Martin McLaughlin has represented this northwest suburban district for two terms. He faces a tough test from Maria Peterson, a retired attorney who has served on the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals and the North Barrington Plan Commission.

McLaughlin, former village president of Barrington Hills, is a consistent critic of Springfield Democrats and a believer in smaller government. We appreciate his advocacy for loosening the strict deadlines on closure of fossil-fuel-fired power plants per the 2021 Climate & Equitable Jobs Act, which threatens to leave northern Illinois vulnerable to electricity shortages by 2030.

Peterson is a moderate Democrat who backs consolidation of Illinois’ absurdly large number of taxing bodies, which we applaud.

Still, McLaughlin’s fiscal conservatism is needed in Springfield at this time.

We endorse Martin McLaughlin.

Read more endorsements here.

Related: Endorsement: McLaughlin for Illinois House Dist. 52 – Daily Herald

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Festivals Oct. 25-31: Chicago Women’s Expo, Halloween happenings, Lake County Home Show and more

Posted in Entertainment, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest on October 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Goebbert’s Fall Festival

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Starts before Friday

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Wednesday, Oct. 30, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. $18 on weekdays and $23 online or $25 at the gate on weekends and holidays. goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 27, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23-24, and Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hand-carved, LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns, encounter characters and watch live pumpkin carving along a paved pathway. Tickets start at $23 for adults, $16 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger. Friday and Saturday are sold out. chicagobotanic.org/halloween.

Jack O’Lantern World: Time slots vary Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 24-27, at Jack O’Lantern World, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. See 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins, over 2,000-pound U.S. National Champion giant pumpkins, a pirate ship light show, giant inflatables, glowing mini golf and more. $20.99 for adults, $14.99 for kids Thursday; $23.99/$15.99 Friday and Sunday; and $24.99/$16.99 Saturday. thejackolanternworld.com/lakezurich.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24; 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 26; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, 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. For ticket prices, see sixflags.com/greatamerica/events/fright-fest-2024.

Friday, Oct. 25

Libertyville Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in downtown Libertyville. Trick-or-treat at participating stores, which will display an orange pumpkin on their door or window. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Trick-or-Treating in downtown Long Grove: 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Trick-or-treat at participating businesses. Free. longgrove.org/festival/october-days.

The Northbrook Park District will host a Halloween pet parade at Techny Prairie Park on Friday, Oct. 25. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Halloween Pet Parade: 5-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1700 Techny Road, Northbrook. Costume contest will crown winners for best look-alike pet, pet and owner combo costume and the spookiest animal. Leash-friendly activities afterward. $10 fee; registration required. nbparks.org.

Schaumburg Halloween Carnival and House of Creeps Haunted House: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 1-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; and 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Wintrust Field, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Rides, the House of Creeps haunted house, trick-or-treating, costume contests, seasonally themed arts and crafts and more. Free; parking is $5. Carnival ride wristbands are $32. schaumburghalloween.com.

Halloween Movie in the Barn: 5:30 p.m. doors open; movie at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the village hall barn, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods. Screening of a seasonal movie. Free. vhw.org.

Crawl-O-Ween Bar Crawl: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Costumed revelers can take advantage of food and drink specials at participating Rosemont bars. $10 in advance, $15 cash at the event; includes two ticket vouchers for Zanies Comedy Club. ParkwayBankPark.com.

Vernon Hills Fall Fest: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Sullivan Community Center, 635 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Family event features indoor trick-or-treating, a magic show and a costume contest. $7; free for kids younger than 2. Space is limited; registration is required. vhparkdistrict.org.

Zombie Fun Run: 6-8 p.m. Friday Oct. 25, 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. Registration required. $10-$15. parkfun.com/event/zombie-fun-run.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Fall Flower Show: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Saturday, Oct. 26, to Nov. 24 at Wilder Park Conservatory, Church Street and Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst. A seasonal display of fall flowers. Free. epd.org.

Kids can trick-or-treat in costume at the zoo during Randall Oaks Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. | Courtesy of Dundee Township Park District staff

Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Trick-or-treating all day, with costume parades at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $6. dtpd.org/boo-at-the-zoo.

Halloween Hustle 5K and Kids Dash: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 345 N. Eric Drive, Palatine. After-party at the Tap House Grill. Entrance fee: 5K $40-$50; Kids Dash $15-$25. halloweenhustle.com.

Halloween Party: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Storytime, Halloween craft, dance party, bounce house, carnival games and trick-or-treat trail for kids 2-8. Registration required. $10 for kids; $1 for adults. palatineparks.org/event/halloween-party.

Barbie Truck Dreamhouse: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. The Barbie Dreamhouse truck will be near Pottery Barn. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.

Chicago Women’s Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Booths, chef demos, food trucks and more. Celebrity guests include Keke Palmer, Anne Burrell, Loni Love, Teresa Giudice and Dorinda Cole-Clark. For tickets, see chicagowomensexpo.com.

Great Food Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Food, mixology, wine and spirits, cooking, celebrity chefs, nutrition, emerging trends and more. Guests include Anne Burrell, Joanne Thomas and Dale Cox. For tickets, see greatfoodexpo.com.

The Lake County Food Truck Festival joins up with the Lake County Home Show Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Lake County Home Show & Food Truck Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. The Home Show features exhibits showing the latest home-improvement products and services. Plus, food trucks, music, giveaways and more. Free. lakecountyhomeshow.com.

Trunk or Treat: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Pioneer Park, 500 S. Fernandez Ave., Arlington Heights. Trick-or-treating for kids 2-13. Kids must be registered by Friday, Oct. 25, and accompanied by an adult during the event. $10 per child; free for kids younger than 2 if attending with a registered child. ahpd.org.

Howl-O-Ween Canine Costume Contest: 10:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Dan Schimmel Pavilion in Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. Canine costume contest and doggy egg hunt. Prizes and awards for best costume and best family-themed costume. Free; registration required. bgparks.org/howl-o-ween.

Santa’s Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Santa’s Village, 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. The amusement park and petting zoo will be open, along with pumpkin patches, family-friendly haunted houses, seasonal food, a sensory play area and more. Tickets start at $28.99. santasvillagedundee.com.

Tricks & Treats in the Valley: 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. All-ages trick-or-treat experience. The half-mile trail begins at Heritage Farm and continues past the farm’s historic buildings and out into the woods and fields. Timed entry. All trick-or-treaters must register; free for caregivers. $5-$7. parkfun.com/event/tricks-treats-in-the-valley.

Ghost Story Train: 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 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 and treats from Margie’s Girls’ Kitchen. A ghostly musician will lead campfire songs. Costumes encouraged. $20. Register at foxtrolley.org/Ghost-Story-Train.

Sunday, Oct. 27

Day of the Dead 5K Run/Walk: 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Heritage Park, 100 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Entertainment by the Chicago Aztec Dancers, prerace face painting, awards, race shirt, postrace refreshments and professional chip timing. Registration required. $25 for 13 and older; $15 for 12 and younger. dayofthedead5k.run.

Elgin Coin Club Fall Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Buy, sell and trade coins, currency and assorted numismatic items and collectibles. ANACS Coin Grading Service will be on-site. Early bird from 8-9 a.m. for $20 or $2 after. coinzip.com/elgin-coin-club-coin-show.

Blue Man Group’s Halloween Performance will feature Halloween-themed surprises before, during and after the show Sunday, Oct. 27. | Courtesy of Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group’s Halloween Performance: 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Preshow face painting in the lobby, Halloween-inspired surprises during the show and goody bags for all kids (younger than 17) in costume. Costumes encouraged for all ages. After the performance, audience members will be invited to meet the Blue Men in the lobby for a photo opportunity. Tickets start at $49. BlueMan.com/Chicago/Offers.

Trunk-or-Treat and Community Meal: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, 200 N. Plum Grove Road, Palatine. Trunk-or-treat, snacks and a free meal from 2-3:30 p.m. Free. immanuelpalatine.org/trunk-or-treat.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Trick-or-Treat on Main Street: 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on Main Street in downtown Wauconda. Trick-or-treat at local businesses. Free. waucondachamber.org.

Mount Prospect Downtown Trick-or-Treat: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in downtown Mount Prospect. Trick-or-treat at participating businesses, which will have an orange pumpkin on their door or window. Businesses with teal pumpkins will offer nonfood treats. Free. mpdowntown.com/events.

Find more here.

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NYC Is Paying for Migrants to Leave and Texas, Illinois and Florida Are Top Destinations

Posted in Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order on October 24, 2024| 1 Comment »

Migrants Leave NYC for These Top Spots | City has issued 47,000 free tickets to encourage asylum seekers to move | © Mayor Eric Adams administration

By Nacha Cattan | Bloomberg

Texas has boasted of busing more than 45,000 migrants to New York City. Some are going right back.

New York has issued 4,507 one-way tickets to Texas through a voluntary program that transfers asylum seekers out of the city, according to Mayor Eric Adams’ office. That’s almost 10% of the 47,000 trips that New York has paid for starting in 2022 amid an influx of more than 200,000 migrants that strained public services.

The ticketing program has helped slash the number of asylum seekers reliant on the city, as have application assistance for work authorization and a policy limiting shelter stays, Adams said earlier this month. The top destinations for migrants asking to leave the Big Apple also include Illinois, Florida and Colorado, as well as other parts of New York. Most travel on planes.

“These are not chartered buses,” said Fabien Levy, New York’s deputy mayor for communications, distinguishing the city’s program from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s practice of sending busloads of migrants out of his state. “These are individual tickets we are purchasing after sitting down with migrants and hearing what they want to do.”

Abbott’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.

New York’s shelter population has dwindled so steadily — recently falling to less than 60,000 by City Hall’s count — that Adams pledged to close one of its largest housing facilities by the end of February.

More here.

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Barrington Hills Riding Club/Park District Fall Horse Show Saturday

Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Commercial Horse Boarding, Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Fundraisers, Horizon Farm, Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOS Party, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Your Barrington Hills on October 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

“The Riding Club of Barrington Hills is pleased to partner with the Barrington Hills Park District, The Fox River Valley Pony Club and The Fox River Valley Hounds to host a Halloween Horse Show and Community Celebration at the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center.

In addition to mounted and unmounted competitions, we will have cider and chili for our guests ($10 recommended donation), Apple Bobbing for Horses and Horse Trailer or Trunk Trick ‘o’ Treat Parade. Horse & Kid Friendly Costumes encouraged for all in attendance.

NOTE: Classes may be split or combined based on entry numbers

Braiding and show attire optional. Helmet required.

$10 for day stall – must be cleaned before departure

Costume Class: open to ALL ages, mounted or lead line. Bring your Halloween spirit & creativity for fun prizes

Horse Husband: get your supportive partner in the saddle to show off what they know!! Fun flat class. 21+ prizes

Derby: consists of a mix of stadium and cross country jumps (class supported by FRVPC on the grass field)

Gambler’s choice: pick your fences with a pre-determined combined value (class supported by FRVPC on the grass field)

Trailer Trick-or-Treating: trick out your trailer with spooky, silly, or scary decor to lure horse & human treat seekers!!! Grand Prize given for BEST Trailer Turnout

Thank you to our Sponsors: Judge Aly St. Senatore (Poet’s Hill), Fox River Valley Pony Club, Fox River Valley Hunt, Barrington Hills Park District, Oakwood Farms, Sarah Carlson & Family”

More here.

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Forest Preserves of Cook County October 2024 Newsletter

Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, FPDCC, Horizon Farm on October 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

While coyotes primarily feed on small mammals like rodents, they can also consume plants, fruits and insects. It allows them to survive in a range of habitats—from prairie and woodlands to dense urban areas. | Coyotes (Canis latrans), Photo by: Leo Estrada

In this Issue:

  • Enjoy Fall Fun & Halloween Happenings in the Forest Preserves
  • Use Our Web Map to Discover Fall Color
  • 2024 Photo Contest Winners Announced
  • Public Hearing Set for 2025 Budget Recommendation
  • Latest News: Save the Date: 2025 Picnic, Special Events Permits & Camping Reservations Available November 15; Free Mental Health Resources Available; We Don’t Want Your Pumpkins or Yard Waste!; Conservation Cup Raises Funds for Restoration and Next Generation of Environmental Leaders; Fall Inland Trout Fishing Season Opens October 19
  • Upcoming Events, and
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Read about these topics here.

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