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Archive for October, 2025

Village Board of Trustees meet tonight

Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Dumb and Dumber, Economy, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Financial Reports, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Mac's Property Management, OMA, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Roads & Bridges Committee, Special Use Permits, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on October 27, 2025| 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] Resolution for Use of Motor Fuel Tax Funds ($190,000.00) on Snow Removal 2026 Resolution 25 –
  • [Vote] Ordinance Granting an Amendment to an Existing Special Use Permit to Allow for the Construction of a Multi-Purpose Interior Prayer and Assembly Space at 160 Hawthorne Road Ordinance 25 –
  • [Vote] Provide Advice and Consent, and to Approve the President’s Appointment of Marsha McClary to Fill the Unexpired Term of Trustee Darby Hills, Whose Resignation Created a Vacancy in the Office of the Village Trustee and to Assume Her Positions on Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees

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

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CUSD 220 reports another decline in student enrollment

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on October 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

At their October 21st meeting, the CUSD 220 Board of Education received the, “Enrollment Status 30-Day,” report for the 2025-2026 school year. The report shows 7,953 students are currently enrolled.

This marks the 3rd year enrollment has declined, and 355 fewer students have been enrolled since 2020. A copy of the report can be found here.

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How to stay informed without being consumed

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Letters to the Editor, News Media, OP/Ed on October 26, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Suburbanites riding the commuter train to and from their jobs in Chicago read the newspaper on April 28, 1970. | Alton Kaste/Chicago Tribune

By Kellie Walenciak | Posted in the Chicago Tribune

My father had a simple ritual. At 6 a.m., he would read the New York Post and Daily News cover to cover. At 6 p.m., he tuned into the evening news — an hour of straightforward reporting, not commentary. He formed his own opinions, and then he moved on. The news didn’t dominate company picnics or poker nights with the neighbors. A staunch Republican, he didn’t shun his Democratic relatives in Scranton. He stayed informed without being consumed.

That balance feels almost quaint today.

Instead of a daily digest, Americans now live inside a 24/7 outrage machine. We spend an average of two hours and 24 minutes on social media every day, check our phones 159 times a day and will collectively log 4 trillion hours online this year. Nearly half of us say we now watch more user-generated content than TV or streaming. Information is available and, quite frankly, unavoidable.

The results are corrosive. Every story is framed as existential, and every disagreement is a loyalty test. Unlike my father’s poker table, where the stakes were bragging rights and a few bucks, today’s debates play out before an invisible audience of strangers in all caps and fury. In the 1970s and ’80s, Dad didn’t have to choose between competing realities. Everyone argued from the same facts. Today, news is no longer a shared resource but a marketplace of outrage: 24-hour cable channels fighting for loyalty and algorithms on Facebook, X and TikTok feeding us headlines designed to reinforce what we already believe. It feels like information, but it’s really affirmation. And the more affirmation we consume, the less empathy we extend.

That distortion has real-world costs. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox urged Americans to “log off, turn off, touch grass. Hug a family member.” He said it after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated and the U.S. recorded its 45th school shooting of the year. The juxtaposition was hard to miss: Online talk of civil war collides with headlines of real violence. And yet, in the communities where we actually live, most Americans behave very differently than our feeds would suggest.

At a Mets game I attended this summer, thousands of fans of every background and political persuasion stood together to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” In my neighborhood, many are MAGA supporters. We don’t pretend otherwise, but our daily conversations are about work, tennis, children, and who’s bringing dessert to the holiday party. When my husband had COVID-19, one of those neighbors — a Donald Trump voter — was the first to text and check in. When my mother-in-law was sick, another ran down to sit with her while we were out. These are not the actions of enemies on the brink of civil war.

That disconnect — between the civility of daily life and the hostility of digital life — tells us more about warped incentives than it does about the character of the country. Social media platforms don’t profit when we feel at ease with one another. They profit when we fight.

Of course, none of this is an argument for ignorance. Democracy requires informed citizens, and there are moments when it is irresponsible to look away. But being informed is not the same thing as being consumed. And right now, we are confusing one for the other.

So what’s the alternative? I call it the 6 o’clock rule — my father’s discipline, adapted for a digital age:

  • Time-box your news. Get what you need once or twice a day. No alerts. No midnight doomscroll.
  • Cross-check. Read one outlet you’re inclined to agree with, one you’re not and one that gives you just the facts.
  • No comments. Learn; don’t perform. Resist the temptation to treat every headline as a personal referendum.
  • Skip the algorithm. Buy a local newspaper. Algorithms reward outrage. A print paper, or even its website, forces you outside your echo chamber.
  • Model it for your kids. Children learn media habits by imitation. Set shared house rules (no screens at meals, charge phones outside bedrooms) and narrate your own cross-checking so they can copy it.

It sounds small, but it’s not. After a month of following this rule, my screen time was down by a third. I still knew what mattered, but I also got back into reading for fun, started biking and, ironically, felt more informed and more hopeful.

Democracy depends on informed citizens, not exhausted ones. We need the discipline to step back if we want a country that looks more like our neighborhoods than our newsfeeds. The 6 o’clock rule is a good place to start.

Kellie Walenciak is the chief of global marketing and communications for Televerde.

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LET IT BE US ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE AND GINGERBREAD FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE AND THOSE AWAITING ADOPTION ACROSS

Posted in Fundraisers, Let It Be Us, Press Release, Resident Spotlights on October 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Let It Be Us, a licensed child welfare agency and trusted leader in adoption and foster care innovation, will host two holiday initiatives to benefit children in foster care and those awaiting across Illinois. Already a statewide leader in adoption reform, Let It Be Us continues to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and support systems surrounding the adoption process. As part of its mission, the organization utilizes and manages the Illinois Adoption Listing Service and The Heart Gallery of Illinois, providing caseworkers and prospective families with an interactive, user-friendly platform highlighting children and teens awaiting permanent, loving families. Through this system, families can view profiles, learn about each child’s unique story and interests, and take the first step toward adoption.

The annual Toy Drive for Children in Foster Care including Those Awaiting Adoption, will take place on December 11 and 12 at Let It Be Us headquarters, 145 West Main Street in Barrington. The organization will collect new, unwrapped toys for children in foster care throughout Northern Illinois, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) office in Waukegan, CASA of Lake County, and several local group homes. Donations of wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape are also appreciated. Monetary donations are accepted, and Let It Be Us will purchase gifts on behalf of donors through its Donation Page. A full list of requested toys can be found on the Toy Drive Event Page.

On December 4, Let It Be Us will also host Candy Cottage for a Cause: Gingerbread Holiday Fundraiser for Foster Care and Adoption at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. The adults-only event will feature gingerbread house decorating led by a professional pastry artist, seasonal refreshments, and a festive evening supporting Let It Be Us programs that help children and teens in foster care find permanent, loving homes. Tickets can be purchased on their site.

Let It Be Us works in partnership with DCFS to connect licensed foster parents with children who are legally available for adoption, focusing on those with specialized needs, sibling groups, and children who have spent extended time in care. Through statewide programs such as the Adoption Listing Service and the Heart Gallery of Illinois, the organization assists families in navigating the adoption process to support successful placements.

“Our mission has always been to create innovative solutions that improve the futures of waiting children,” said Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director of Let It Be Us. “Events like the Toy Drive and Candy Cottage for a Cause not only raise awareness but also directly support our work to ensure every child in Illinois foster care has the opportunity to grow up in a loving, permanent home.” Serving Illinois for more than a decade, Let It Be Us continues to lead adoption and foster care innovation statewide. For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.letitbeus.org or call (847) 764-5428.

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Op-Ed: Main Street businesses, customers would bear brunt of a tax on services

Posted in Cost of Living, Deception, Economy, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions on October 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

A filing case filled with labeled folders, including bank account and automobile records, sits beside tax documents and forms on a desk. | Photo: Sarah Pflug / Burst

By Noah Finley | National Federation of Independent Business

Even as lawmakers reconvene in Springfield for the fall veto session, special interest groups continue to press for higher taxes on everyday services – such as haircuts, tax filings, and vehicle repairs – to fund their pet programs.

Last week, a memo circulating around the capitol included a potential $2.7 billion statewide service tax, euphemistically dubbed as “Sales Tax Modernization.”

This proposed tax on services would disproportionately hit Main Street businesses and their customers.

It would apply to everyday services that working families and seniors depend upon, such as home repairs, haircuts, pet care, accounting, tax services, landscaping, and vehicle repairs.

These services are normally provided by local small businesses – plumbers, landscapers, beauticians, accountants, electricians, lawyers, mechanics and many, many others.

These small businesses have been fighting to contain costs and limit price increases for their customers even as inflation has wrecked the buying power of everyday Americans.

It hasn’t been easy. Most small businesses have already had to raise prices to cover their costs and keep their doors open. Many have seen their customer base dwindle as fewer working Americans and seniors can afford the goods and services offered by Main Street businesses.

Too many consumers have been priced out of the market after years of rising costs. They are having to choose between home repairs, car repairs, or other basic services and putting healthy, wholesome food on their kitchen tables or keeping their thermostat at a comfortable temperature.

Putting a new tax on services will exacerbate this challenge for seniors and working families. As everyday Illinoisans are forced to cut back on spending and delay projects and services, Main Street businesses will bear the brunt of these reduced expenditures.

In addition to a decreasing customer base, small businesses will also have to absorb higher costs themselves. They will have to administer and collect the new service tax, which will impose new paperwork and administration costs on their businesses. They will also pay higher costs for the services that their business requires to operate – legal services, facility and equipment maintenance services, accounting and tax services, etc.

Small businesses lack the capacity to absorb more cost increases, so these costs will also have to be passed along to already stretched customers, further exacerbating affordability issues for price conscious consumers.

Legislators on both sides of the aisle in Springfield have voiced discomfort with this direct tax on working Illinoisians. Even as special interest groups continue to press for a service tax, many legislators understand how detrimental it would be to Main Street businesses and their customers. The ongoing affordability crisis makes it critical that the Illinois General Assembly shuts down these lingering rumors and talk of a service tax.

The last thing Illinois needs is a new tax on everyday services. Let’s let small businesses continue to do what they do best – serve their customers!

Noah Finley is the Illinois State Director off the National Federation of Independent Business

Posted to The Center Square

Related: “Illinois lawmakers push new $2.7B sales tax on haircuts, Netflix, Uber and other services,” “5 things Illinois taxpayers are lucky state lawmakers failed to pass”

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Things to do Oct. 24-30: Nightmare on Chicago Street, Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Long Grove, Elgin Symphony String Quartet — Spooky Strings and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, Topics Of Interest on October 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Costumes are welcome at Nightmare on Chicago Street happening Saturday in downtown Elgin. | Courtesy of the City of Elgin, 2024

By Luke Zurawski | Daily herald

Friday, Oct. 24

Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hand-carved, LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns staged along a festive paved pathway where visitors will encounter characters and can watch live pumpkin carving. $22-$27 for adults, $15-$18 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/halloween.

Richardson Adventure Farm: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $24, $20 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger; $30/$24 Saturdays and Sundays in October. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine & Jukebox Show: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Antique slot machines, jukeboxes, advertising memorabilia, gumball and penny arcade machines, music boxes, pinball machines, antique video games, vinyl records and more. Friday early-bird admission: $50, Saturday admission: $10, free for kids younger than 12. chicagolandshow.com.

Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Long Grove: 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, near 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Kids can trick-or-treat at participating businesses. Costumes encouraged. Free. longgrove.org/festival/october-days

Boo Bash: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Family-friendly event. Free. lincolnshireil.gov.

Pumpkin Splash Spectacular: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Community Center Indoor Pool, 100 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Kids 3-7 can search for pumpkins scattered throughout the pools. Plus, Halloween crafts, inflatables, photo opportunities and treats. Registration required. $10. wheelingparkdistrict.com

Trick-or-Treat Trail: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Walk through the no-scare trail, where friendly characters will hand out candy to kids. Plus, games, entertainment and more. Parents must accompany kids 12 and younger during the event. Free. bgparks.org/trick-or-treat-trail

Halloween Movie in the Barn: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the village hall barn, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods. Screening of a seasonal movie at 6:30 p.m. Free. vhw.org.

Hayrides at Hoffman Park: 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, and 5:15, 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the dog park at Hoffman Park, West Main Street, Cary. Hayride and campfire under the stars. $10. Register: carypark.com

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men’s “Twelfth Night”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Performed by an all-male cast in authentic Elizabethan costume, infused with music, song and spirited dance. $35; free for kids 12 and younger with a paid ticket. eccartscenter.org.

Penn & Teller: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. The magicians are on their 50th Anniversary Tour. Tickets start at $74.55. msg.com

Saturday, Oct. 25

Palatine’s Halloween Hustle 5K and Kids Dash takes place Saturday, Oct. 25. | Courtesy of Adrenaline Special Events

Halloween Hustle 5K and Kids Dash: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Adrenaline Special Events, 345 N. Eric Drive, Palatine. Kids Dash at 8:30 a.m., 5K at 9 a.m. Immediately following the race, runners and spectators are invited to an after-party at the Tap House Grill. 5K: $40-$60; Kids Dash: $20-$30. halloweenhustle.com

Chicago Women’s Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. See the latest in shopping, fashion, food, entertainment, cosmetics and travel for women, plus keynote speakers and more. Tickets start at $5 per day. chicagowomensexpo.com

Great Food Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Sample food and beverages, shop from vendors and more. Tickets available online starting at $6.24 per day. greatfoodexpo.com/chicago.

Lake County Home Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Over 120 businesses will present the latest in home remodeling, roofing, architecture design services, lawn and tree care and more. Free. lakecountyhomeshow.com.

Great Hawthorne Pumpkin Hunt: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Kids can explore nature while stopping at educational stations, searching for hidden pumpkins, creating a seasonal craft and taking home a mini pumpkin. $10-$12. Register: elginil.gov/recreation.

Elgin Symphony String Quartet — Spooky Strings: 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Halloween-themed concert. Costumes encouraged. $28.52, family pass for $33.85. barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Halloween Walk: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in Cary and Fox River Grove. In Cary, trick-or-treating, costumes and a parade led by the 2025 Miss Cary-Grove from 11 a.m. to noon starting at Tasty Sushi and ending at Athletico in the Jewel Shopping Center. In Fox River Grove, the parade begins at Leader Ace Hardware in the Stone Hill Shopping Center and ends at Wonderland Kids Academy from 1-2 p.m. Free. carygrovechamber.com.

Tricks & Treats in the Valley: 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. All-ages trick-or-treat experience, with the trail beginning at Heritage Farm and continuing past the farm’s historic buildings and into the woods and fields. Wear a costume you can walk in for about half a mile. Entry is timed. 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. 25, 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.

Trick-or-Treating at McHenry Downtown Businesses: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, near 163 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. Trick-or-treat at local businesses. Free. For a map, visit facebook.com/events/1788089675374809.

BOOs & Brews: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. This 21-and-older after-hours event features a costume contest, dance party, animal experiences, seasonal brews and cocktails and more. Tickets start at $45 for general admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BoosAndBrews.

Family Wicked Wagon Ride: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Clauss Rec Center fields, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. After the Zombie Run, take a haunted hayride around the “ball fields of doom” and through the abandoned barn. For kids 12 and younger, accompanied by an adult. $8-$10. Registration required: rparks.org.

Costumes are welcome at Nightmare on Chicago Street happening Saturday in downtown Elgin. | Courtesy of the City of Elgin, 2024

Nightmare on Chicago Street: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, on East Chicago and North Spring streets, Elgin. Annual Halloween festival with terrifying attractions, live performances, immersive environments, costume contest, photo ops, celebrities, food and apocalyptic-themed drinks. $35, $40 at the gate. Tickets: nightmareonchicagostreet.com.

Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Tribute to the music of ABBA. $45-$50. prairiecenter.org

Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. The full feature film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be projected on the big screen with live accompaniment by the Chicago Philharmonic. Costumes encouraged. $96-$122. auditoriumtheatre.org

Sunday, Oct. 26

Day of the Dead 5K: 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Heritage Park, 100 Community Blvd., Wheeling. 5K run/walk, plus entertainment, awards, music and food after the race. Registration required. Ages 13 and older: $40; kids 12 and younger: $30. runsignup.com

Elgin Coin Club Fall Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Buy, sell and trade coins, currency, and assorted numismatic items and collectibles. Kids 6-16 can join the Kids Auction at 12:30 p.m., where they get free bid money to bid on donated lots. Raffle prizes and hourly door prizes. 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.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Spooky Skate: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Triphahn Center Ice Arena, 1685 Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Public skate. Halloween costumes encouraged. $7 in advance, $10 at the event; skate rental $3. heparks.org.

Trick-or-Treat on Main Street: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, on Main Street in downtown Wauconda. Trick-or-treat at local businesses. Free. waucondachamber.org.

Trunk-or-Treat: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 932 S. McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. My Father’s World Preschool hosts a fair with a bouncy house, selfie station, cake walk, games in the gym and trunk-or-treat in the parking lot. Free. prince-of-peace.org

Monday, Oct. 27

Halloween Spooktacular: 10-11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva. Crafts, games and a parade through the library. Costumes encouraged. Free. gpld.org.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo: 7 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 28-29, at Lincoln Park Zoo, North Cannon Drive at West Fullerton Parkway, Chicago. Join Adam Selzer — author, podcaster and host of Mysterious Chicago Tours — for walks that delve into the zoo’s cemetery roots and locations from throughout its allegedly haunted history. For 16 and older. $35. lpzoo.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Mount Prospect Downtown Trick-or-Treat: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in downtown Mount Prospect. Trick-or-treat at downtown Mount Prospect businesses. Costumes encouraged. Free. mpdowntown.com/events

Wheeling’s Taste of the Town takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling. | Courtesy of the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce

Wheeling’s Taste of the Town: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. About two dozen vendors offering bite-size tastings from their menus and bars. $35 in advance, $45 at the door. wheelingareachamber.com.

Lake Park Film Appreciation Society: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Lake Park High School West Campus auditorium, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Screening of the 1933 Pre-Code sci-fi horror film “The Invisible Man,” starring Claude Rains. Free popcorn, post-show discussion and trivia with prizes. Free. facebook.com/LPHSDramaProductions/.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Pumpkin Splash: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at The Water Works, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Swim with pumpkins and pick a pumpkin, DJ entertainment and a goody bag filled with treats. Kids younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult during the event. $15-$20. parkfun.com/event/pumpkin-splash.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra Dia de los Muertos: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Commemorate loved ones at a concert featuring vocalist José Carlos Díaz. Face painting, crafts, an ofrenda, food trucks and more at 5:30 p.m. Pre-concert talk on the history of Dia de los Muertos at 6:30 p.m. $25, $5 for students, free tickets for ages 17 and younger. elginsymphony.org.

Ongoing

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s annual Boo at the Zoo event runs through Oct. 31. | Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 31 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. On weekends, there’s trick-or-treating, a magician and other activities. Included with zoo admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Thursday, Oct. 30, 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. Some attractions are only available on the weekends. $19 weekdays; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 2 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 at 1:30 p.m. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, and free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 26, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1 at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Plus, kids’ Boo Fest and Oktoberfest. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Volo Paranormal Tours: Noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 2 at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters at the Volo museum. $3 with museum admission. Reservations recommended. volofun.com.

See a plethora of pumpkins at Jack O’Lantern World in Lake Zurich and Lemont this weekend. | Courtesy of All Community Events

Jack O’Lantern World: Time slots start around 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1 at Paulus Park, 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, and The Forge, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont. See and explore thousands of pumpkins arranged in displays and more, plus a pumpkin patch, 30-foot inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden, mini golf and more. Tickets range from $17.99-$27.99. Thejackolanternworld.com.

Find much more here.

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McHenry County Board proposes tax levy increase while also looking for spending cuts

Posted in County, McHenry, Property Taxes, Shaw Local, Taxes on October 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. The McHenry County Board is schedule to vote on the county budget this evening. | Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver

By Claire O’Brien | Shaw Local

McHenry County officials still are looking for ways to cut expenses and increase revenue as the County Board gets ready to vote on next year’s budget and a proposed property tax levy increase.

The McHenry County Board is considering whether to increase its levy to where it was before voters approved a sales tax increase to fund the county’s Mental Health Board, which came with a promise to lower the property tax levy by a commensurate amount.

The so-called “lookback” option comes as county leaders have worked to close a projected $3.7 million budget gap for next year.

On Tuesday, county board member Eric Hendricks proposed sending the budget and levy back to the county’s finance committee.

County board Chair Mike Buehler declined to take up Hendricks’ proposal, but Hendricks pressed the point. After some procedural back-and-forth, Hendricks’ effort failed.

Read more here.

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McDonald’s supports 67,000 jobs in Illinois. Why is Chicago making it hard on businesses?

Posted in Chicago Tribune, Cook, County, Dumb and Dumber, Economy, Education, Entertainment, Letters to the Editor, Overhead, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on October 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

People walk in Chicago’s downtown on May 2, 2022. Chicago has seen a mass exodus of large companies and now is experiencing a high vacancy rate in office buildings. | Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune

By Jon Banner | Published in the Chicago Tribune

We often hear Illinois leaders speak about making the state a magnet for business, but unfortunately, their policy choices tell a different story. By putting new burdens on the companies that fuel the state’s economy, Illinois policymakers are putting the future of our great state at risk.

It could not come at a worse time. In recent years, Chicago has seen a mass exodus of large companies and now is experiencing a 25% vacancy rate in office buildings. Job growth for 2025 ranks 48th in the nation, and Moody’s reported recently that the state has already slipped into recession.

The way Illinois’ leaders are turning away from its business community is a deeply troubling break from the past. For nearly 70 years, McDonald’s has been proud to call Illinois home. From our roots in Des Plaines to our move downtown in 2018, we’ve invested in this state and this city because we believe in its potential. More importantly, because we believe in its people. Across Illinois, McDonald’s creates tens of thousands of jobs, partners with local organizations, and provides employees with the opportunity to further their educations and careers. McDonald’s supports more than 67,000 jobs in Illinois and contributes more than $5.2 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.

This is a moment to consider new approaches to keep and attract companies, and yet lawmakers are doubling down on the policies and politics that will hamstring our economy. Earlier this year, lawmakers in Springfield passed a $55 billion budget that included a last-minute expansion of corporate taxes aimed squarely at global companies headquartered in Illinois. This measure taxes profits that multinational companies make overseas — profits not earned in Illinois but taxed by the state solely because of the address of a company’s headquarters.

Now, the mayor of Chicago is threatening additional taxes in an attempt to plug a billion-dollar budget deficit, most recently a plan called a “head tax,” which would levy more than $250 per employee per year on companies with at least 100 employees. Some have argued that this plan merely reinstates a prior head tax that was eliminated a decade ago. It’s important to remember, though, that the prior tax was $4 per employee per month, and even at that low level, the tax was reversed because of how much it punished the businesses that were successfully creating jobs for the state.

The stated justification for these proposals is that multinational companies will receive tax breaks from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That is false. The act changes many things, but it does not change tax rates for multinational companies.

The mayor characterized his tax plan as “pro-business” because the proceeds will purportedly be used for public safety. We strongly support increasing support for law enforcement, which is why our company was a leadership donor behind the Civic Committee’s $100 million investment to fight crime. Between the taxes we pay and the voluntary donations we make, McDonald’s already invests millions each year into public safety for the city of Chicago.

To be clear, this is not about skirting responsibility or asking for special treatment. McDonald’s pays taxes in every state and every country where we operate. But the proposals being made in Springfield and Chicago are making Illinois an outlier — one of the few places choosing to disincentivize growth by targeting its most globally competitive and recognized companies.

Aside from the unprecedented and punitive measures themselves, what’s most concerning is the way leaders are shutting out companies that have long bolstered Illinois’ economy. Rather than include the business community in discussions about solutions, we have been blindsided by backroom political deals. Rather than being engaged as a cherished community asset and a force for economic development, large businesses like ours are too often demonized by local leaders.

By targeting long-standing economic partners as a means of scoring short-term political points, these tax proposals only hurt communities in Illinois. If implemented, they would mean fewer jobs across the state. They would mean fewer investments in the communities in which we live, work and serve.

Gov. JB Pritzker has been a strong ally to the business community, and we’ve applauded his ambitious agenda to foster business growth. However, if implemented, these policies would undermine his plans and reinforce the stubborn external perception that an Illinois address is a business liability. The governor cannot be the sole champion for business; he needs partnership from the state legislature and city of Chicago.

We’ve been part of this state’s legacy of innovation and resilience for decades, and Illinois has been part of McDonald’s story since the beginning. But long-term success requires long-term thinking and genuine collaboration. Ultimately, corporations have a choice of where they are headquartered. I hope state and city lawmakers will rethink their approach to partnership with policies that reward investment in Illinois and Chicago — not drive it away.

Jon Banner serves as McDonald’s Corp.’s executive vice president and global chief impact officer. He oversees the government relations, public policy, communications, sustainability and social impact, global security, inclusion, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities teams.

Source

Related: “Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $21 per employee corporate ‘head tax’,” “Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit,” “DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained,” “Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive,” “Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills”

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The Chicago/Springfield way: “Elections board deadlocks on $10M fine for Senate President Don Harmon”

Posted in Capitol News Illinois, Deception, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois State Board of Elections, Politics, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way on October 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »

L to R: Senate President Don Harmon, Governor JB Pritzker and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel “Chris” Welch

By Ben Szalinski | Capitol News Illinois

Article Summary

  • The Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked, 4-4, on partisan lines when determining whether Senate President Don Harmon violated fundraising restrictions in 2024.
  • The board fined Harmon $9.8 million for accepting greater campaign donations than the law allowed in 2024. He appealed, leading to Tuesday’s hearing before the full board.
  • After the split vote, the board postponed official action on the fine until its next meeting in November.
  • A hearing officer and attorney for the board had recommended the board find Harmon in violation of state law.

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

Read the full story here.

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Illinois video gambling mogul to seek GOP gubernatorial nomination

Posted in Elections, Politics, Resident Spotlights, Springfield on October 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Rick Heidner | Rick for Illinois official photo

A suburban video gambling mogul is putting his chips into a Republican primary bid for Illinois governor.

Rick Heidner, a Barrington Hills real estate developer and the owner of Gold Rush Gaming, formed a gubernatorial campaign committee on Tuesday, according to a filing with the State Board of Elections. It comes less than two weeks before the petition filing deadline for the March primary.

Candidates for governor must attain at least 5,000 signatures to secure a place on the ballot. Heidner’s running mate is Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike, according to petitions being circulated.

Heidner joins a crowded Republican primary field that includes former state Sen. Darren Bailey — the party’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee; Ted Dabrowski, former president of conservative think tank Wirepoints; and two-term DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. The winner likely gets a matchup against Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire who is seeking a third term as the state’s chief executive.

Read more here.

Related: “Rick Heidner’s American Dream”

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