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Dundee Township Annual Town Meeting Tuesday

Posted in County, Kane, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, Unions on April 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

DUNDEE TOWNSHIP
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

To the legal voters, residents of the Township of Dundee in the County of Kane and the State of Illinois that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, being the second Tuesday of said month (per 60 ILCS 1/30-5) at 7:00 p.m. at the Rakow Center, Adult Activities Room, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville, IL 60110 for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of said Township; and after a Moderator having been selected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following:

AGENDA

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
CLERK’S OFFICE
Reading of the Public Notice
Registration of Qualified Township Electors
Announce Number of Electors present and able to vote
Electors Nominate and Elect Moderator for this meeting
Oath of Moderator
MODERATOR
Presentation of the Supervisor’s Annual Financial Statements
Electors approve Supervisor’s Annual Financial Statements
Certification of Accounts
Motion to approve/amend the Minutes of last Annual   Town Meeting April 8, 2025
Elected Officials Reports
Approval of Resolution in Support of House Bill 4616
Approval of Resolution to Recommend that the Dundee Township Supervisor Appoint Dawn Arimura, Dr. Michelle Wright, and Amber Cotter to the Dundee Township Community Mental Health Board
Announcement of Next Annual Town Meeting (April 13, 2027)
Electors move to set Time of Next Annual Town Meeting
Comments/Questions
Adjournment

Signed and dated this 27th date of March 2026. Elizabeth Clark, Dundee Township Clerk

Source

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Bison return to Kane County after 200 years, a crucial step for conservation and Indigenous connection

Posted in Animal Welfare, Chicago Tribune, County, FPDCC, Horizon Farm, Kane on December 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

American bison on Dec. 22, 2025, in the Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Burlington Township, where six of the bison have been introduced. The bison’s return marks yet another victory in efforts to restore the Prairie State to an ecosystem and a landscape that bison shaped for hundreds of years. | E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune

By Adriana Pérez | Chicago Tribune

From their cozy homes in suburban Burlington, children curiously watch their new neighbors through windows and brainstorm nicknames.

Earlier this month, with their distinctive brown fur, big heads, short horns and back hump, a small herd of six American buffalo — the largest land mammals in the country — exited a trailer and took their first steps on 38 acres of prairie restored by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, 60 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It’s the first time in over two centuries that bison have called the county home.

Inches of snow had piled on the ground, and conservationists had waited for hours in the brutal cold for the animals to show up.

The move was a rematriation, a return of missing relatives, according to Jay Young, co-executive director of the American Indian Center of Chicago, which owns the animals in the collaborative conservation effort.

“I don’t like using the word ownership, because that’s not a Native or Indigenous worldview,” Young said. “We are the stewards of the bison, and so we’re looking after them, we’re taking care of them, we’re making sure they’re OK.”

The Kane Forest Preserve began working toward bringing back bison three years ago, but the project “transcends generations” and has been “hundreds of years in the making,” according to the district’s executive director, Benjamin Haberthur. After an initial deal fell through, staff at the district felt discouraged about finding an Indigenous partner, until the American Indian Center stepped in.

“Without the Native American education component, (it) would have been a huge loss, because the story of the bison is the story of Native Americans in the country,” he said.

Read more here.

Editorial note: Think, “Horizon Farm,” Forest Preserves of Cook County.

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How much did Illinois take from your town’s income taxes?

Posted in Cook, County, Illinois Policy Institute, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes on December 23, 2025| 1 Comment »

Illinois local governments lost out on over $10.9 billion in income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012. Here’s what your city or county lost.

By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois local governments lost out on more than $10.9 billion in income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012, thanks to state lawmakers cutting the share of income taxes promised to municipalities and counties.

The state kept the difference.

An Illinois Policy Institute analysis found state lawmakers’ decision to reduce the local share from 10% of net income tax collections to less than 7% has cost municipalities over $9.49 billion since FY 2012. That includes cities, towns and villages and meant fewer dollars for programs and services, infrastructure, and potential property tax relief.

Use our table below to find out how much more income tax revenue your municipality would have received.

In addition to the municipal losses, county governments lost another $1.43 billion. Use our table below to find out much more income tax revenue your county would have collected.

More here.

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Illinois firefighter pensions torch local finances

Posted in BCFPD, Cook, Cost of Living, County, Illinois Policy Institute, Jewel-Osco, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Overhead, Property Taxes, Taxes, Unions on November 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

In Lake County and across Illinois, fire pensions are driving up property taxes and leaving fewer resources for safety.

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute

Chicago fire pensions may be close to insolvency, but the city is not alone: firefighter pensions are consuming most of the resources needed to keep communities safe.

Statewide, the most recent data shows municipal fire department increased property taxes by $371.6 million between 1996 and 2023, adjusted for inflation. While the total tripled, pensions have gone from taking less than half of the property taxes to taking nearly three-fourths: $311.6 million more in 2023 than in 1996.

Actual fire protection operated on $60 million more than in 1996.

Firefighters receive generous pensions, and rightly so given the dangerous nature of their work. However, when those benefits become overpromised – as they have become in Illinois – they undermine retirement security and reduce the amount of money available for service. Police and fire pensions outside of Chicago reported combined liabilities of $493.1 billion in 2024, with only 49 cents on hand for each dollar owed.

The low funding ratio isn’t because property taxes aren’t going towards pensions. In most counties more property tax revenue is going towards pensions than in the past. In 1996, 48% of these revenues went toward pensions compared to 73% in 2023. A similar pattern can be seen in counties across the state.

That doesn’t mean every town is cutting back on fire services, but it does mean an increasing share of local tax dollars is being consumed by pension costs rather than the services residents rely on.

At 1.83% of their home’s value each year, Illinoisans pay the highest average effective property tax rate in the nation. But in some communities, it’s worse than that figure would indicate.

Read more here.

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Kane County Fair returns with live music, rodeos and demolition derby

Posted in County, Entertainment, Goat Rodeo, Kane, Politics, Topics Of Interest on July 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Mary Kelley of Elburn gives her Scottish Highland heifer a kiss on top of the head while they practice in the show arena during the 2024 Kane County Fair in St. Charles. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2024

By Kane County Fair

The 156th Kane County Fair is a big funfair with a small town feel, filled with grandstand events, popular live bands like the Hillbilly Rockstarz, unlimited carnival rides, 4-H contests, outdoor kids events, and the popular Classic Car Show.

It kicks off early with the carnival rides on Wednesday, July 16, and then opening on Thursday with live music, grandstand events like bull riding and demolition derby, and 4-H animals and competitions.

There’s always something new at the Kane County Fair. The cute racing pigs are back. Watch the Balsters Game Show. Get up close with 4-H animals or check out the petting zoo. See the classic cars on display on Saturday and Sunday.

Midway hours are: 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the fairgrounds, located at Randall Road and Oak Street in St. Charles. Parking is free. The 4-H exhibit halls close two hours before the fair each day.

Main stage

Take in the sights and sounds of the Kane County Fair while listening to live music on the Miller Lite Sound Stage. It’s free with paid admission to the fair.

Eric Chesser, a country artist from Nashville, returns to the fairgrounds with a show at 7 p.m. Thursday. Trippin Billies, a national touring tribute to the Dave Matthews Band, will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday and Mark Atkins at 5 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, How Rude! will play all the best 1990s hits from pop to grunge from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by the headliners Hillbilly Rockstarz at 8:30 p.m.

Action-packed thrills return to the grandstand starting on Thursday with the women barrel racing at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Professional Championship Bullriders and Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Grandstand tickets are $22.24 or $11.75 for age 10 and under; there’s a $40 Family Four Pack for the matinee. Purchase tickets for Friday and Saturday shows via rodeoticket.com. It is held rain or shine; no refunds. The Gold Buckle seats at the evening shows are already sold out.

The Demolition Derby will be running at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday for $10 grandstand admission.

Makayla Ramer competes in the demolition derby during the 155th Kane County Fair in St. Charles. This year’s demolition derbies will be at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. | Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network, 2024

4-H shows and exhibits

The 4-H judging begins on Thursday with the categories of horse and pony, dairy, poultry and rabbit. The 4-H General Projects will be on exhibit every day in Robinson Hall. The horse and pony judging continues on Friday, as well as the shows for swine, sheep and goats, ending with the “Barnyard Games” in the show ring.

On Saturday, it’s the popular Horse & Pony Dressage Show, the Showmanship Classes, and the Milking Derby, as well as the beef judging show. The day ends with the 4-H awards ceremony.

On Sunday, you can support the Kane County 4-H youth by bidding on livestock in the Blue Ribbon Auction at 1 p.m. in the Livestock Arena.

Carnival rides

The Fantasy Amusements carnival will be opening on Wednesday. There will be unlimited rides for $32 on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to close. It will also be $32 from noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. On Sunday, there’s the “Last Blast” discount with $27 unlimited rides from 5 p.m. to close. Individual tickets will also be available for purchase.

The 156th Kane County Fair opens on Wednesday, July 16, with carnival rides only. The fair runs through Sunday, July 20. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network, 2024

Admission

You can get a season pass for $25. Daily admission is $5 on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday to Sunday, it is $10 or $5 for kids, age 3-12.

There is free daily admission for children under 3, and it’s free for seniors over age 62 and veterans with military ID before 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Tickets to the fair can be purchased upon entry with cash only or in advance by clicking on the “Buy Tickets” in the upper right corner of kanecountyfair.com/Fair-Information. There is a 4% surcharge for credit card purchases.

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Kane County sets dates for low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics

Posted in Animal Welfare, County, Kane on April 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Submitted by Kane County Public Information Office

Kane County Animal Control has set the 2025 spring/summer dates for its popular low-cost drive-through rabies vaccine and microchip clinics.

The clinics will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26; 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Kane County Animal Control Facility, 4060 Keslinger Road, Geneva.

Additional dates will be announced later.

A one-year rabies vaccine with tag is $30 (neutered) or $55 (not neutered). There’s a discount for those age 65 or older with ID of $15 (neutered) or $25 (not neutered).

Cost for microchip is $15.

For questions, contact Kane County Animal Control at (630) 232-3555 or animalcontrol@countyofkane.org. Visit www.pets.kanecountyil.gov for additional details.

All owners must verify that their pet has not bitten anyone in the past 10 days. An adult over the age of 18 must be present and handle the animal. If your pet requires a muzzle, it must be provided by the owner and put on before entering the clinic.

Kane County residents are required by law to purchase a registration tag at the time of vaccination.

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Don’t be fooled again…

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Cook, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Kane, Lake, McHenry, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 1, 2025| 1 Comment »

Local elections can be lost and won by a single vote. Ensure your candidate’s success by doing your part. Vote and encourage a friend to join you.

We’ve recently seen an issue facing a neighboring school playing out in the national news where, at Deerfield’s Shepherd Middle School, a mother claims her daughter and several of her classmates were forced by school officials to change in a locker room in front of a student who is biologically a boy.

These social issues are not unique to Deerfield and can easily be played out at D220. We need strong school and library boards ready to stand up for the students and families of D220.

Two years ago, a school board candidate (seen at top) stood on the street holding a sign with his highest priority message he wanted to convey for his reelection. The result? Libraries with pornography, tampons in boy’s bathrooms and lower reading and math scores.

We know from past board meetings and candidate forums that these priorities are shared by current school and library board members and candidates.

For reasons set forth in our earlier endorsements, the best choice for common sense values and for candidates best able to face these challenges are Steve Wang, Katie Karam and Deanna Stern (for D220), and Joseph Bosnick and Erin Matta (for BAL).

Make a plan and get yourself to your polling place.

Early Voting Locations:

Cook County
Barrington Hills Village Hall
March 30 – 10:00-4:00
March 31 – 9:00-5:00

Lake County
Cuba Township Highway Department
March 30 – 9:00-4:00
March 31 – 9:00-7:00

McHenry County
Algonquin Township Office or Crystal Lake Public Library
March 31 – 9:00-4:00

Kane County
Carpentersville Fire Station No. 93
March 30 – 10:00-4:00
March 31 – 9:00-4:00

Related: “Karam, Wang and Stern for CUSD 220 Board of Education,” “Bosnick and Matta for Barrington Area Library Board of Trustees,” “Illinois school district responds to federal probe into allegations of making girls change with transgender”

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Polls open tomorrow at 6AM

Posted in Cook, County, District 220 referendum, Economy, Ethics, Kane, Lake, McHenry, OP/Ed, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, Road construction, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on November 4, 2024| 1 Comment »

Please vote for Representative Martin McLaughlin!

Early voting has ended at this hour at most locations.  Tomorrow, many more locations will be open for Election Day from 6AM to 7PM.

Click on your county below to find your polling location:

Or, you can also go to, “Poling Place Lookup,” to find your polling place location.

By now it should come as no surprise that Martin McLaughlin has our wholehearted endorsement and vote because he has earned it. Best of luck tomorrow.

Related: “Chicago Tribune endorses Martin McLaughlin,” “Daily Herald Endorsement: McLaughlin for Illinois House Dist. 52”

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Early voting available through Monday

Posted in Cook, County, District 220 referendum, Elections, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, Springfield, Taxes on October 30, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Early voting locations are through Monday for the November 5, 2024 General Elections. Click on your county to find the most convenient location to cast your vote:

For general ballot information, visit the Cook County, Lake County, McHenry County or Kane County clerk’s office sites.

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Free flowing: Dam removal work in Carpentersville nearing completion

Posted in County, Kane, Topics Of Interest on October 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

By | Daily Herald

The Fox River is adapting to a new flow through Carpentersville as crews continue to work on removing a dam.

Work crews are expected to be out of the river and the dam removed by Halloween or Nov. 1, said Jennifer Rooks-Lopez, director of planning for the Kane County Forest Preserve District.

“We’re to the core of the dam itself,” she said.

Work on the $1.2 million project to remove the dam, funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, started in early September. The dam’s removal will create a 10.2-mile unimpeded flow of the Fox River, the longest free-flowing stretch through Kane County.

Time-lapse videos of the dam removal can be viewed on the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s YouTube channel.

The Fox River’s flow has been diverted to its eastern edge as crews continue working on removing the Carpentersville dam. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

Officials have said a free-flowing river will result in an improvement in its health. Other portions of the river, where dams have been removed, have seen an increase in the number and species of fish in the river.

Rooks-Lopez said crews removed the concrete portion of the dam sections at a time and allowed the river to settle in between. The core of the dam, which officials believe was built between 1839 and 1850, is constructed of river stone and braced with timbers, she said.

The Fox River has narrowed as work continues on the Carpentersville dam removal. Officials say dam removal helps improve the health of the river. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

“That’s made it a little more difficult to clean it up,” she said, adding that there is a lot of stone, ranging from small pebbles to larger boulders, to haul away.

Rooks-Lopez said some of the larger boulders will be incorporated back into the river. The forest preserve district is also looking for other district properties where the stones can be used.
More here.

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