Recording of the Martin McLaughlin/Maria Peterson Candidate Forum held on Tuesday, Sept 22, for Illinois General Assembly 52nd District have been posted. The link can be found here.
Archive for the ‘Taxes’ Category
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, BCFPD, Big Red, Board of Health, Cost of Living, Deception, Dumb and Dumber, Elections, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Financial Reports, Flock Cameras, Heritage and Environs Committee, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lennie, OMA, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Well Water Quality, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on September 28, 2026| 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 Updating the Village of Barrington Hills Fund Balance Policy Resolution 26 –
- [Vote] Ordinance Approving a Final Plat of Consolidation for the Parcels at 0 Steeplechase & 8 County Line Roads, to be Known as Resubdivision of Lot 1 in Lake Flint Estates Ordinance 26 –
A copy of their agenda, including info on listening to the meeting, can be viewed and downloaded here.
Other states will take Illinoisans’ money if Pritzker doesn’t opt into federal scholarship program
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Education, Elections, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, WTF on September 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »
An Illinois neighbor is vying for donations from state residents.
By Hannah Schmid | Illinois Policy Institute
A new local billboard is garnering media attention by advertising that Illinois taxpayers can get a federal income tax credit for donating money to students out of state.
The billboard, in south suburban Chicago near the Indiana border, refers to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, also known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit. The program offers taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar income tax credit for donations of up to $1,700 per year to qualified scholarship-granting organizations.
Any taxpayer in any state can claim the credit starting in 2027. But only students in states whose governor has opted into the program can benefit from the donated education money.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not opted Illinois in. Four of Illinois’ neighbors have, including Indiana, where the billboard is advertising Illinoisans to donate scholarship money.
The billboard is correct:
- If Pritzker opts Illinois in: Donated money flows to eligible Illinois students.
- If Pritzker does not opt Illinois in: Illinois donors can still claim the federal tax credit by contributing to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations in participating states such as Indiana, but Illinois students cannot receive any of the donated money.
Article continues here.
Ahead of Possible Presidential Bid, JB Pritzker Says He Is Taking Weight-Loss Drugs
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Deception, Politics, Taxes, Wall Street Journal on September 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »
JB Pritzker squeegees the glass protecting a Butter Cow at an Illinois State Fair event for a better look.
By John McCormick | The Wall Street Journal
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whose weight has been repeatedly mocked by President Trump, said he has taken a GLP-1 medication for two years after being diagnosed with diabetes. The medication could also help the slimmed-down Democrat in a possible 2028 presidential bid.
The billionaire made the first-time disclosure in a CBS News interview broadcast Monday. Speculation about his use of such drugs has circulated for months in Illinois political circles.
“I’ve been overweight most of my life,” said Pritzker, who also told the network he has lost 80 pounds so far and feels “a whole lot better.” He said he also walks about 4 miles most mornings and has been told by his doctor that he will likely need to take the drugs forever.
In discussing his weight, Pritzker noted his father’s death from a heart attack at age 39 while playing tennis in Hawaii as his mother watched. “He died in her arms,” Pritzker said.
Weight loss is common ahead of modern presidential bids. Chris Christie, then New Jersey’s governor, underwent weight-reduction surgery in 2013 ahead of his 2016 Republican presidential bid. Mike Pompeo, a former secretary of state and Central Intelligence Agency director under Trump, also lost significant weight before he decided against a 2024 presidential White House campaign.
When asked by the network whether he is taking the medication to prepare for a presidential bid, Pritzker played down that possibility. “I have not made any decisions about what I might do in the future,” said Pritzker, who is seeking a third term as governor in November.
The governor said Illinois is covering GLP-1 medications for about 55,000 state employees because it is good for the budget(?). “We’re going to save money because fewer people will have diabetes, people will be less overweight, which causes so many other diseases,” he said.
Report continues here.
Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District Board meets tonight
Posted in Agendas, BCFPD, Jewel-Osco, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, SNAFU, Taxes, Transparency on September 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) Board of Trustees meets tonight at 6:30 PM at 22222 N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington. A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.
DSA platform could cost up to $212T over a decade, analysis finds
Posted in Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fox News, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on September 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »
A Cato Institute analysis says the DSA agenda leaves a gap of up to $169T even after taxing all billionaires
By Eric Revell | FOXBusiness
The policy agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) would cost between $71 trillion and $212 trillion in fresh spending over a decade, according to a new analysis.
The progressive wing of the Democratic Party has had electoral success recently, with some candidates backed by the DSA advancing in primaries in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City.
Angie Nixon, a DSA member in Florida, won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. Progressives who have touted similar policies as those in the DSA platform have also found recent success in Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate races, with Abdul El-Sayed winning in Michigan and Peggy Flanagan prevailing in Minnesota.
Adam Michel, the director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute, wrote in the New York Post that the “DSA promises a world of plenty, paid for by somebody else. Simple math says otherwise.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, center, celebrates with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. | Andres Kudacki/Getty Images
Michel analyzed the DSA platform and found that while the platform is “thin on details,” he was able to estimate the spending policies would total between $71 trillion and $212 trillion in new spending over the next decade.
He noted that, at the high end of that estimate, the total government spending would reach as high as 92% of U.S. economic output.
“The socialists claim their plan will do away with rent. They’ll make healthcare free and forgive student loans. Their system will provide utilities, college and food at no cost to the consumer,” Michel wrote.
Report continues here.
Chicago speed cameras ticket drivers every 48 seconds
Posted in Cook, County, Dumb Bunny, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Taxes on September 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The city added 50 cameras and tickets jumped almost 26%, but the additional revenue fell short of the city’s projection. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute
Despite campaigning against them in 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson added 50 speed cameras in Chicago last year.
That led to a nearly 26% increase in tickets but still didn’t generate as much additional revenue as the city estimated, highlighting the problem with relying on unpredictable sources to balance the budget.
Last year Chicago issued 529,529 tickets to drivers for traveling 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit, up from 424,754 in 2024. That’s an increase of 24.6%.
Tickets for those driving at least 11 mph over the limit increased even faster, rising 30% from 94,906 in 2024 to 123,786 in 2025.
Chicago speed camera revenue rose last year to $64.2 million, up from $59.6 million in 2024. But the rise was significantly less than the Johnson administration’s projected increase of $11.4 million (and an installation cost of about $2.6 million.)
Report continues here.
South Barrington TIF Public Hearing tonight
Posted in 220, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes on September 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“On September 17th, there will be a hearing on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the Allstate property corridor on Higgins Road.
The meeting will be at 7PM at the Village Hall. It is an opportunity for the public to weigh in and comment on a TIF project which will bring revenue into the Village for water infrastructure and safety without having to impose additional taxes on our residents. Please attend if you would like more information or if you would like to weigh in on the project.
This new development will help spur additional economic development for our region. In the long term, our schools and other taxing bodies will see an increase in revenue. The best way to lower property taxes is to grow our local economy and one way to accomplish this is through the utilization of TIF districts.
These issues are important and it is our goal to make sure residents have all of the facts. I encourage you to attend our meeting on Sept. 17th.”
Source: Mayor Paula McCombie’s weekly newsletter.
Legislative panel weighs in on children’s mental health, data centers and state vs. local control
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, New Normal?, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes on September 17, 2026| 1 Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
A panel of Republican and Democratic state legislators came together Wednesday in Barrington to discuss a variety of topics, including the impact of social media and technology on children’s mental health and whether data centers should be under state or local control.
Two Republicans, state Rep. Martin McLaughlin and state Sen. Darby Hills, both of Barrington Hills, and two Democrats, state Reps. Nabeela Syed of Inverness and Anna Moeller of Elgin, fielded questions during the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast, held at the Barrington Park District headquarters.
Barrington Area Unit District 220 Superintendent Craig Winkelman, one of the moderators, asked what role the state should play in helping school districts support children’s mental health.
He cited figures provided by Lurie Children’s Hospital that 49% of Illinois youth are experiencing worsening mental health.
Syed, who represents the 51st District, said the state has taken action by passing a law mandating mental health screenings in schools, with parents able to opt out.
McLaughlin, who represents the 52nd District, echoed Syed on the impact of technology but focused less on what the state can do and more on channeling children into activities that encourage social interaction and team building.
“You cannot spell team with ‘I,’ but you can certainly spell ‘iPhone,’ with an ‘I,’” he said.
Panelists also weighed in on data centers.
McLaughlin criticized the governor and the Democratic majority for passing hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives to attract data centers. He said he supports local communities retaining zoning and planning controls.
Although he agreed data centers are needed, he said, “That doesn’t mean that we should stick data centers in Algonquin next to residents in Barrington Hills, which I oppose. That doesn’t mean we should put data centers across the street from South Barrington residential units, which I oppose.”
Read the full article here.
BACOG issues position statement on the November Lake County School Facilities Tax referendum
Posted in 220, BACOG, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Cost of Living, County, Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Lake, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on September 16, 2026| 1 Comment »
What follows was read by Tower Lakes Village President Andy Hay on behalf of BACOG members at last night’s District 220 Board of Education meeting during public comment:
“Dear President and members of the Barrington 220 Board of Education,
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Barrington 220 Board of Education regarding the potential new Lake County School Facilities Tax that will be on the ballots this November.
The Barrington Area Council Of Governments, BACOG, represents local governments across four counties in Northeast Illinois, including nearly all of District 220.
We write today as a united region to advocate for the interest of all of our residents.
We recognize the pressures you face as a unit of local government to provide strong services and quality facilities while managing rising costs.
However, BACOG respectfully urges you to avoid promoting approval of this sales tax increase, even implicitly.
Now is not the time to ask our residents to approve a higher sales tax. Affordability concerns are very real.
The proposed sales tax would raise costs for all families buying goods in Lake County, including essential goods, regardless of their income level or ability to absorb the increased expenses.
This burden would come when families are already facing high inflation and the resulting rapid rise in the cost of living.
BACOG recommends that the District public statements focus on its track record of good stewardship and how it uses existing available resources to meet its student’s needs.
We urge you to clearly state that the District is not actually seeking approval of this referendum.
If you publicize the projects and services that would be funded by the new tax, give equal attention to the increased cost of goods.
You should only suggest the property tax reduction if you are willing to commit to providing one.
Better yet, express your appreciation for the support of the community already shown the District when it approved the two recent referendums.
If the countywide tax increase is approved, District 220 will face crucial decisions regarding the use of funds distributed to our region.
BACOG urges you to treat this as an alternative funding source for education that reduces reliance on property taxes rather than viewing it as an additional funding.
To do so is imperative, that the property tax assessed by the District be reduced in an amount that corresponds to the Sales Tax revenue received.
To clarify, the new revenue would come, at least in part, from our resident’s pocket, should not be treated as bonus money and simply added to your operating budget.
BACOG strongly recommends that you choose the option articulated in the referendum’s terms of debt reduction and tax abatement for our residents.
If this tax is approved, our residents will not be able to avoid paying more for their family’s essential goods, but you do have the ability to reduce the burden born by those same taxpayers.
Notably, the District did not identify a missing or inadequate service in 2026 that would cause it to affirmatively ask the community for increased funding.
When there was such a need in 2020 and 2024, the voters in District 220 answered the calls to financially support extensive infrastructure improvements and agreed to increase property tax bills.
This is your opportunity to recognize that support and acknowledge the additional funding is not needed to sustain the current high quality of District 220 operations.
As a result, the District should direct any funds received through this new tax to reduce the outstanding debt and provide a corresponding property tax abatement.
Thank you for your consideration and support of Barrington area students and their families.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further and work together with the Board of Education and District staff on behalf of our residents.
We all have a responsibility to manage public funds that our entrusted to us with care.
Through our collective efforts and investments, we can insure the continued viability and livability of our region.
And it’s signed by all the members of the towns of BACOG.
Thank you for your consideration.”
The link to the reading of the letter can be found here.
The Lake County School Facilities Tax referendum wording reads:
“Proposition To Impose County School Sales Tax
Shall a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a sales tax) be imposed in The County of Lake, Illinois, at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals?”
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