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Archive for the ‘Kane’ Category

Residents invited to attend virtual flood map open house

Posted in Cook, County, Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Kane, Spring Creek Watershed, Topics Of Interest on March 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Flood

“Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will host a virtual flood map information open house on March 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. for communities in northwest Cook and northeast Kane Counties, according to a news release.

Revised areas are within the Poplar Creek and Spring Creek watersheds, including portions of Barrington Hills, Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood and South Elgin. The open house will give residents the chance to review preliminary versions of a recently completed Flood Insurance Study and its accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map.

The FIS and FIRMs provide base flood information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards and offer information that public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain.

At the virtual open house, representatives from local, state and federal agencies will provide the most current information about flood risk, flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the process for floodplain mapping within the Poplar Creek and Spring Creek watersheds. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be viewed at the meeting. FEMA intends that they be used as tools to assist planning processes and outreach efforts to quickly respond to and recover from future events, the release stated.

To attend the virtual meeting visit zoom.com and enter the ID 897 5579 0878 and the password 604044 or click here.”

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IDOT provides a (rather weak) update on IL 62 widening progress

Posted in Algonquin Rd, Cook, County, FPDCC, IDOT, Kane, Politics, Public Safety, Roads & Bridges Committee, Spring Creek Watershed, Taxes, Traffic on March 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Fig 1 62

“WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?

In our last newsletter (December 2020), we described the additional analysis and evaluation required to select the preferred alternative due to the presence of federally listed threatened and endangered species: Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly and Rusty Patched Bumblebee. Over the last year, the project team has continued coordinating with agencies such as the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPDCC), the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) to conduct the Biological Assessment (BA). The BA analyzes and determines the project’s effect on these species and/or their critical habitat, and documents the measures taken to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate the impacts.

Two critical elements of the BA are the groundwater monitoring and analysis, which will be completed in early 2022, and the prescribed burn of the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, which was completed in 2021. You may have also noticed crews trudging through the marshy areas along IL 62 in the late fall as shown in Figure 2 (below). These crews are delineating wetlands within the Spring Creek Forest Preserve to help better identify potential habitat for the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly within the study area. We anticipate the wetland delineation to be completed in the spring of 2022.

Fig 2 62

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

Once the BA is complete, the project team can continue analyzing the impacts of the two remaining alternatives and select a preferred alternative. While the two remaining alternatives are both 4-lanes, one has shoulders, and one has curb and gutter. After the preferred alternative is selected, geometric and drainage improvements, and non-motorized accommodations will be refined and presented to stakeholders.”

A copy of the update can be viewed and downloaded here.

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Vaccine Clinic at the Dundee Library Saturday

Posted in County, Kane, Topics Of Interest on February 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »

2_FRVPL_logo“The State of Illinois is partnering with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Fox River Valley Public Library District to bring a free vaccine clinic to the Dundee Library. The clinic is Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Dundee Library is located at 555 Barrington Ave. (Rt. 68) in East Dundee.

First shot, second shot, and boosters will be available. All three COVID vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J will be available for adults 18 and over. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for persons 5 and older. If coming for a booster, bring vaccination card to speed check in process. I.D. and/or insurance information is not required. Walk-ins are welcome. However, registration for this event in encouraged to ensure that the clinic will be prepared for you. Please be aware that service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Your patience is appreciated. Masks are required inside the library for anyone under the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.

To register for the vaccine clinic, visit https://www.frvpld.info/vaccine-clinic, call (847) 428-3661, or visit the library in person.

For additional information and current updates about COVID-19, visit the Kane County Health Department website at KaneHealth.com or call the health department at (630) 208-3801 and select the COVID line.”

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Completion of Longmeadow bridge over the Fox River delayed by steel shortages and lead-contaminated soil removal

Posted in Cook, County, Kane, Longmeadow Parkway, Politics, Public Safety, Taxes, Traffic, VBHPD on October 23, 2021| 1 Comment »

LMP

The Longmeadow Parkway Bridge over the Fox River is built and being partially used but completion has been delayed by the pandemic and soil issues found at the site, officials said. The parkway starts in Huntley, crosses through Algonquin, Carpentersville and Barrington Hills, and ends at Route 62. (Gloria Casas / The Courier-News)

Longmeadow Parkway Bridge over the Fox River is partially open to motorists but its completion has been delayed by steel shortages and the removal of lead-contaminated soil found at the site, Kane County officials said.

The $115 million, four-lane toll bridge links the two sides of a four-lane roadway corridor built to alleviate traffic congestion in northern Kane County. It begins at Huntley Road in Huntley, crosses through Algonquin, Carpentersville and Barrington Hills, and ends at Route 62.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a steel shortage, which delayed some signal improvements needed at Route 25, said Tom Rickert, deputy director of transportation for the Kane County Division of Transportation.

Shortages of other items, including semiconductor chips, and increased prices in materials have also played a role in the project not being completed earlier this year, Rickert said.

It’s projected the traffic signal improvements at Route 25 should be finished in late November, he said.

Read on here.

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Carpentersville man charged with animal cruelty in dog stabbing

Posted in County, Crime, Kane on April 10, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Helm

Christopher Castillo

A Carpentersville man is facing an animal cruelty charge after his family’s dog was found fatally stabbed in a forest preserve near Barrington Hills.

Christopher Castillo, 23, was charged last month with one count of aggravated animal cruelty, authorities said.

Kane County Forest Preserve Police Chief Mike Gilloffo said the charge stems from a March 25 incident.

Castillo told his parents he was taking the dog for a walk around 4:30 a.m., authorities said. When he did not return by 8 a.m., they reported him missing.

Gilloffo said the family found Castillo’s car, a piece of clothing and the wounded dog in the parking lot of Helm Woods Forest Preserve. One of the family members, assuming the dog was dead, took the animal home.

Police ended up taking the dog to a veterinary hospital, but it ultimately died, Gilloffo said.

Read more here.

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Early voting starts today

Posted in 2021 Elections, Barrington Hills Park District, Conflict of interest, Cook, County, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Kane, Lake, McHenry, One Barrington Hills, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Village Board, Village Code, Village President on March 22, 2021| 1 Comment »

OBH 1

The Barrington Hills Observer wholeheartedly endorses Brian Cecola for Village of Barrington Hills President, as well as David Riff, Tom Strauss and Laura Ekstrom for Village Trustees in the April 6th Consolidated Election.

Early voting starts this morning for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Elections.  For information on where to cast your ballot between now and Election Day, click on your county below:

We’ll be publishing our official endorsements soon. In the meantime, feel free to use and share the sample ballot below noting our recommendations:

Sample Better

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IDOT issues a brief update on IL Route 62

Posted in Algonquin Rd, Cook, County, IDOT, Kane, Politics, Taxes, Topics Of Interest on January 11, 2021| 1 Comment »

The Illinois Department of Transportation posted an update last month on the progress of the proposed widening of the IL 25 to 68 corridor of Route 62 in Barrington Hills. A copy of their report can be viewed and downloaded here.

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Fox River Valley Public Library District offers Student Hotspots for internet service

Posted in County, Kane, Property Taxes on January 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

One of the Fox River Valley Libraries’ newest collections for 2021 is Student Hotspots. These Wi-Fi hotspots will be checked out to students for an entire semester. The hotspots were purchased with CARES Act funds so students have reliable internet service in their home for remote learning. They are now available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Patrons must have a valid student ID and a Fox River Valley Public Library District library card to check out student hotspots. While the library buildings are closed, students or their parents/guardians can simply show a valid student ID during curbside pickup at the Dundee Library, 555 E. Barrington Ave., East Dundee.

Student hotspot loan periods are:

  • Spring semester: Jan. 1 to May 31
  • Summer semester: June 1 to Aug. 31
  • Fall semester: Sept. 1 to Dec. 31

Only one hotspot per household. Student hotspots do not accrue late fees. Student hotspots are not eligible for home delivery.

If a hotspot is needed for a specific semester, patrons can set the hold activation date for the beginning of that semester when placing the hold.

Hotspots can be accessed in the library’s online catalog at www.frvpld.info.

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How did your “neighbors” vote for president, Senate and the graduated-rate income tax amendment?

Posted in 2020 Elections, Cook, County, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, Taxes on December 3, 2020| Leave a Comment »

We searched on Barrington Hills for the results of the presidential election, and the results are depicted above.

Joe Biden won Illinois by nearly 17 percentage points, Sen. Dick Durbin sailed to reelection over Republican challenger Mark Curran and the graduated-rate income tax amendment fell by a wide margin.

The statewide results were mirrored in final tallies from Chicago and the collar counties. Biden defeated President Donald Trump in those areas by a 57.4% to 40.7% margin; Durbin had 54.5% of the vote to Curran’s 38.8%; and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed income tax amendment fell 53.4% to 46.6%.

But break down the vote behind those apparent landslides into the smallest electoral pieces — precincts — and a more nuanced picture emerges. Solidly Democratic precincts in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood saw the tax amendment fall by a wide margin. Same story in parts of Libertyville. Pockets of Niles went for Trump but saw Durbin finish ahead in the race for U.S. Senate. Parts of Lake Forest went for Biden but not for Durbin.

Search (HERE) for your address, ZIP code or town to see how your neighborhood compares. The buttons above the map allow you to switch from the race for president, U.S. Senate and the tax vote.

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Democrats still bullish on future McHenry County statehouse races after spending big, flipping one GOP seat

Posted in 2020 Elections, Cook, County, Deception, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Politics, Resident Spotlights on November 23, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Infusion of party resources fails to bring big blue wave as Republicans relish results

(Click on image to enlarge)

Illinois Democrats and their financial backers spent big – much more than Republicans – on races for statehouse districts that include portions of McHenry County in this month’s election, but ultimately failed to flip more than one area seat.

“I think this election showed a lot of the electorate agreed with Republican values and policies, and we don’t necessarily have to spend as much if we’re strong on the policy,” McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Tyler Wilke said.

Despite Republican campaigns being at a huge fundraising disadvantage to Democrats in the three races for the statehouse seats representing the southeast corner of McHenry County, the GOP still put in more effort to hang onto those three local state offices than it has in the past, McHenry County Democratic Party Chairwoman Kristina Zahorik said.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Republican Martin McLaughlin, who handily won election to the District 52 seat over Democratic challenger Marci Suelzer and Green Party candidate Alia Sarfraz, said he thinks the varied geography of his supporters shows there is a conservative tilt among voters in the region visible across jurisdictional boundaries.

McLaughlin earned more votes than Suelzer in each of the four counties – McHenry, Lake, Cook and Kane – that make up his district.

“That’s a good sign that our message cut across the main street communities in the 52nd (House District) and the bedroom communities, and all different kinds of economic and social metrics,” McLaughlin said.

Read more here.

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