Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Hoffman Estates’ Category

Who Decides What Old Sutton Road Becomes

Posted in BACOG, Bicyclists, Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, Ethics, FPDCC, Guest Essay, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, OP/Ed, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Spring Creek Watershed, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Zoning Board on October 26, 2026| 4 Comments »

(Please click on image to enlarge)

Community update on Cook County zoning | October 26, 2026

Neighbors along Old Sutton and Penny Roads are asking how much commercial truck activity this residential corridor can accommodate. Cook County is considering a request to park up to 50 dump trucks south of Penny Road. A group of us is also examining earlier special-use approvals and a separate truck-terminal rezoning request. We want the County to consider their combined effects on roads, homes and natural areas, with supporting evidence in the public record.

Who has zoning authority

The 50-truck site at 15N803 Old Sutton Road is unincorporated Cook County land zoned R-1 Single-Family Residence. Cook County’s zoning ordinance governs this application, not the zoning ordinances of Barrington Hills or South Barrington. A nearby village address does not change that. The County Zoning Board of Appeals makes written findings and a recommendation; the Cook County Board of Commissioners makes the final decision. Neighboring villages can object, but cannot veto this zoning request. Applicable road, environmental, health and other laws still apply. A separate annexation dispute involves other parcels.

What is being requested

Cases SU-26-0002 and VA-26-0017 involve approximately 4.4 acres. Cristobal Rodriguez and Lorena Galvez petitioned to park up to 50 dump trucks: six for their business and 44 additional spaces. They also seek an accessory-building height variance from 15 feet to 20 feet 2 inches. These uses require County zoning relief; R-1 status alone does not authorize them. The September 23, 2026 hearing was held. We have not confirmed a final County Board decision.

What residents have put on the record

Cook County published a compilation of 22 objection letters. Seventeen cited traffic and safety, 15 zoning compatibility, 14 noise or residential character, 11 environmental concerns, 10 sensitive locations, 9 road conditions and 7 property values. Each letter could raise more than one issue; these counts describe concerns, not established harm. Barrington Hills formally objected, residents of both Barrington Hills and South Barrington submitted objections, and South Barrington’s mayor publicized the hearing.

What else is happening along the corridor

Husky Trans, Inc. separately sought to rezone approximately 15.6 acres at 15 Old Sutton Road and 545 Penny Road from R-1 to C-4 commercial and I-4 motor-freight-terminal districts (MA-25-0002). Cook County deferred the application in October 2025; no final rezoning approval has been verified.

Barrington Hills’ 2024 annexation of roughly 44 acres nearby is under litigation. A trial court invalidated it, an appellate court reversed in September 2025, and the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments September 24, 2026. We have not confirmed a final ruling. This is distinct from the 15N803 County application.

We are also tracing historic special uses at 191 and 193 Penny Road and 15N272, 15N365 and 15N701 Old Sutton Road. Our working map covers more than 200 acres under study, but that does not mean 200 acres have commercial or Special Use approval. Current ownership, permitted acreage and a recently identified parcel still require verification.

Why the combined picture matters

Old Sutton Road is narrow, unlit and without shoulders, yet it serves residents, cyclists and equestrians. Truck counts, vehicle weights, routes and hours matter across all nearby operations, not only on the applicant’s lot. So do noise and neighboring residential property use.

The 2010 MWRD watershed plan modeled flooding at the Penny Road crossing of Spring Creek. That does not establish runoff from this truck site. It does raise practical questions about grading, drainage outlets, downstream capacity and spill controls near forest-preserve habitat and private wells. Water leaving one lot still enters a shared system.

Cook County Section 13.8.9(A) requires written findings on health and safety, nearby property use and values, roads, drainage, traffic and County compliance. We want to see how those standards are supported while accounting for existing operations and pending proposals.

What we need to accomplish together

A credible County record, and any possible later legal review, needs evidence more specific than general opposition. We are collecting:

  • Recorded permits, approved acreage, current owners and exact authorized activities.
  • Dated traffic observations, truck routes, road measurements and operating hours.
  • Flood photographs, engineering and drainage studies, receiving-system capacity and groundwater information.
  • Qualified environmental, noise and property-value analysis, with clear sources.

We will ask the County to disclose its studies and explain each required finding. Credible records and expert testimony are essential; no evidence can promise a particular County or court outcome.

Please share questions information or ideas

If you live nearby, know these properties, have records or photographs, or have an idea for helping, please contact me. Different views are welcome. Our objective is a factual public record and a thorough Cook County review of this corridor.

 – Robin Duggan  |  Barrington Hills resident  |  rduggan@2gcinc.com

Public records and source documents

Cook County Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.3 and 13.8
County ZBA hearing application materials
County compilation of 22 objection letters
Barrington Hills formal objection
Husky rezoning request and deferral
Illinois Supreme Court oral argument docket 132527
MWRD watershed plans and reports

Related: “Status update on 15N803 Old Sutton Road petitions for Special Use and Variance with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals“

Read Full Post »

Status update on 15N803 Old Sutton Road petitions for Special Use and Variance with the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals

Posted in Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Land Use, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Roads and Bridges, School Districts, South Barrington, Traffic, Transparency, Village Clerk, Village Code, Zoning Board on October 25, 2026| 3 Comments »

15N803 Old Sutton Road via Google Maps

On September 18th we posted information regarding a Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing regarding an unincorporated Cook County property near the Village border taking place September 23, 2026. This was in addition to a previous post by the Village on September 15th.

Information currently available regarding the September 23rd public hearing include:

Minutes from the Zoning Board Hearing have been posted and state only that testimony was taken.

Audio recordings from the September 28th Barrington Hills Board of Trustees meeting (found here) reveal that apparently objections to the application, as well as the application itself, were not sufficiently made available to the public to review prior to the September 23rd hearing. Therefore, continuation of the hearing was postponed until (at least) January 2027.

Further, it was not decided it additional objections would be admissible in to the record considering original objections were not fully made public. If additional comments/objections are allowed, we will notify readers.

Read Full Post »

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.

Read Full Post »

Rabid bat found in Hoffman Estates

Posted in Community Alerts, Hoffman Estates on September 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Submitted by Hoffman Estates

A bat found in the 1000 block of Worthington Drive in Hoffman Estates Wednesday has tested positive for rabies, according to Cook County Animal and Rabies Control officials.

The public is advised not to handle bats or any other wild animals. Report dead bats or skunks on private properties or on roadways by calling Cook County Animal and Rabies Control at (708) 974-6140.

Animal control officials ask anyone who has been bitten by a bat or has had potential exposure to a bat to contact a medical provider. Residents are reminded to ensure pets are current on their rabies vaccinations and to keep dogs, cats, and ferrets on a leash or under supervision outdoors.

Visit the Cook County Animal and Rabies Control website at cookcountyil.gov/service/rabies-prevention for more information.

Read Full Post »

Proposed 185-Acre Data Center in Hoffman Estates by Karis Critical Cancelled as Firm Bows Out

Posted in AI, BACOG, Cook, County, Data Center, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, News Media, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions on July 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy Construction Review

By Joel Mairura | Construction Review

The proposed 185-acre data center in Hoffman Estates by Karis Critical has been cancelled as the firm bows out. The firm has withdrawn its request to rezone land for the controversial data center project in Illinois. Its scope entailed being constructed at the edge of the village of Hoffman Estates’ municipal boundaries. Moreover, it would have bordered the nearby areas of South Barrington and Barrington Hills.

However, it raised serious questions about how the neighboring towns, which have no official say in decision making, are impacted by such projects (?). “After several weeks of conversations with the Village and residents, we’ve decided the right step is to withdraw the current rezoning request,” Karis Critical spokesman Patrick Skarr said.

“We heard the feedback clearly, including the call for a more specific plan before any rezoning. We’ll take the time to get that right. Should we bring a proposal forward in the future, the Village and the community will have the details they need to evaluate it fully and on its merits.” Residents have always been against the project as shown by a recent public hearing where they showed up in numbers. Despite bowing out, other data centers across the US are still advancing such as “Project Marvel” in Bessemer which QTS has been identified as its developer.

The proposed 185-acre data center in Hoffman Estates by Karis Critical has been cancelled as the firm bows out. | Courtesy Construction Review

Factors Leading to Opposition of Proposed Data Center in Hoffman Estates

One of the major factors that led to opposition of the proposed data center in Hoffman Estate was transparency concerns. When the Plan Commission held its meeting, discussion was limited to the issue of rezoning the site from traditional neighborhood and commercial mixed-use districts to a manufacturing district. Moreover, residents were told there were no specific site plans for a data center project.

Other residents had concerns about the impacts of a large-scale data center on traffic, noise and light pollution and air quality. Hoffman Estates has two other data centers under construction. However, they are in areas already zoned for manufacturing that residents said are more appropriate than the residential area near forest preserves.

“Nobody here is saying, ‘Don’t do a data center,’ everyone’s saying, ‘Don’t do it here,’” Barrington Hills resident Karen Trzaska said. A public records request seeking communication from village stuff about the project also revealed much. It noted that the project had been in discussion as early as 18 months ago, raising more concerns on the project’s transparency.

Article continues here.

Read Full Post »

“Petitioner withdraws rezoning application for Plum Farms property”

Posted in BACOG, Data Center, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Goat Rodeo, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Plum Farm development, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Unions on July 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Per a Village of Hoffman Estates release:

“On June 30, 2026, H.E. Holdings, LLC, owner of the property at 4800 W. Higgins Road, (commonly known as “Plum Farms” and hereafter referred to as the ‘Subject Property’) notified the Village of Hoffman Estates in writing that it has withdrawn its application to rezone the three lots that comprise the Subject Property to the Village’s M-2 zoning district. As a result of this withdrawal, the existing zoning of the Subject Property will remain in place (Lot 1: TN, Lots 2 & 3: C-MU).

The withdrawn petition for rezoning will not be considered by the Village Board at the July 6, 2026, Village Board Meeting. Any application for zoning changes to the Subject Property by the current or future owners will require a new application. Future applications concerning the Subject Property will be required to start at the beginning of the zoning amendment process outlined in the Village Code.

The public hearing scheduled for July 6, 2026, to consider the termination of the annexation agreement governing the property at 4800 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, has been canceled.”

Source

Read Full Post »

Rezoning request for potential data center in Hoffman Estates withdrawn

Posted in AI, BACOG, Cook, County, Daily Herald, Data Center, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Plum Farm development, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions on July 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald

The firm that owns the 186-acre Plum Farms property at Higgins Road and Route 59 in Hoffman Estates has withdrawn its request to rezone the site to manufacturing use that potentially would have enabled a data center there.

“We got word last night that it had been withdrawn,” Hoffman Estates Village Manager Eric Palm said Wednesday.

That immediately removed the decision from the agenda of Monday’s village board meeting, at which a large crowd of opponents from Hoffman Estates, Barrington Hills and South Barrington was expected.

Report continues here.

Related: “Barrington CUSD 220 opposes rezoning of Plum Farms,” “Proposed data center in Hoffman Estates sparks resident outrage,” “HOFFMAN ESTATES NOTICE OF (PLUM FARMS) PUBLIC HEARING JULY 6,” “‘Wrong project, wrong place’: Critics push back on rezoning plan for potential Hoffman Estates data center,” “Change.org Petition: ‘Deny Rezoning of Plum Farms In Hoffman Estates’,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie shares an update on Hoffman Estates/Plum Farms Plan Commission meeting,” “Hoffman Estates plan commission rejects rezoning request for possible data center,” “Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project,” “Hoffman Estates Plum Farm June 3rd Plan Commission Meeting Essentials,” “After being rejected in Naperville, company could build data center in Hoffman Estates,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posts information regarding June 3 Hoffman Estates (Plum Farms) Plan Commission meeting,” “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” “Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property,” “Hoffman Estates approves sewer, water for development of 185 acres west of The Arboretum,” “Hoffman Estates approves tax incentive at routes 59, 72,” “District 220 lawsuit against Hoffman Estates, Plum Farms developers dismissed,” “South Barrington residents sue over Hoffman Estates development,” “Editorial: Listen to agencies that would feel consequences of Hoffman Estates development”

Read Full Post »

Opponents cite documents as proof Hoffman Estates plans data center on Plum Farms site

Posted in AI, Daily Herald, Data Center, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Land Use, Plum Farm development, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Sears, South Barrington, Taxes, Transparency on June 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald

A request to the Illinois Attorney General for a review of alleged Open Meetings Act violations is among the artillery being used by opponents of a potential rezoning of 186 acres in Hoffman Estates for a possible data center.

Barrington Hills resident Amanda Pollard filed the request Monday, asking that any finding of a violation be used to challenge the village board’s possible rezoning of the northwest corner of Higgins Road and Route 72 to manufacturing use at Monday’s board meeting.

She cited documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act as proof plans for a data center are more specific than the landowner or village officials have said aloud.

Pollard was particularly suspicious of requests for meetings with trustees or the mayor in correspondence between landowner Karis Critical and village staff.

Village Manager Eric Palm said the documents don’t chronicle potential Open Meetings Act violations and Mayor Bill McLeod said none have occurred.

Hoffman Estates officials are considering a proposal to rezone the 186-acre Plum Farms property at the northwest corner of routes 59 and 72 to manufacturing use, potentially enabling development of a data center. This view looks north along Old Sutton Road, just north of Higgins Road. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2019

“No, we don’t do that,” McLeod added. “That doesn’t happen.”

At the June 3 plan commission meeting, attorney Matt Norton representing Karis characterized the rezoning request as simply a way to boost the Plum Farms site’s marketing potential for various industrial uses.

But a May 19 email from Hoffman Estates Director of Development Services Jennifer Horn to Karis officials speaks of a less generalized goal.

Article continues here.

Related: “Proposed data center in Hoffman Estates sparks resident outrage,” “HOFFMAN ESTATES NOTICE OF (PLUM FARMS) PUBLIC HEARING JULY 6,” “‘Wrong project, wrong place’: Critics push back on rezoning plan for potential Hoffman Estates data center,” “Change.org Petition: ‘Deny Rezoning of Plum Farms In Hoffman Estates’,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie shares an update on Hoffman Estates/Plum Farms Plan Commission meeting,” “Hoffman Estates plan commission rejects rezoning request for possible data center,” “Hoffman Estates Plan Commission rejects zoning change for new data center project,” “Hoffman Estates Plum Farm June 3rd Plan Commission Meeting Essentials,” “After being rejected in Naperville, company could build data center in Hoffman Estates,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie posts information regarding June 3 Hoffman Estates (Plum Farms) Plan Commission meeting,” “(Plum Farms) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 3,” “Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property,” “Hoffman Estates approves sewer, water for development of 185 acres west of The Arboretum,” “Hoffman Estates approves tax incentive at routes 59, 72,” “District 220 lawsuit against Hoffman Estates, Plum Farms developers dismissed,” “South Barrington residents sue over Hoffman Estates development,” “Editorial: Listen to agencies that would feel consequences of Hoffman Estates development”

Read Full Post »

Barrington CUSD 220 opposes rezoning of Plum Farms

Posted in 220, AI, Board of Education, Data Center, Hoffman Estates, Land Use, Plum Farm development, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Unions, Well Water Quality on June 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

At a special meeting of the Barrington 220 Board of Education this morning, the following statement was read by Sandra Ficke-Bradford:

“After carefully reviewing information and the environmental concerns associated with the installation of potential data centers on the property, including impact related to air quality, noise from generators and cooling equipment, increased truck traffic, electrical infrastructure demands, water consumption and the overall compatibility of this use in the area, the Board is opposed to rezoning of Plum Farms and urges the Village of Hoffman Estates to consider these impacts.

The board will be sending a letter to the Village of Hoffman Estates outlining these concerns as well.”

Source

Read Full Post »

As state lawmakers stall on data center rules, Illinois cities and counties step in to fill the void

Posted in AI, Animal Welfare, BACOG, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Deception, Education, EJ&E/Canadian National, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Plum Farm development, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, Sears, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions on June 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Construction underway at the new Compass Datacenters 197-acre site in Hoffman Estates on June 23, 2026. Compass is constructing five hyperscale data centers on the former Sears Headquarters campus. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune

“People are upset with the lack of transparency around these projects. They feel like backdoor deals are being made before the public is ever aware they’re happening.”

By Jack O’Connor | Chicago Tribune

In lieu of statewide regulations, a growing number of Illinois cities and counties are telling data centers to come back later or adhere to new regulations.

In Aurora, what began as a 180-day moratorium ended with city officials bringing the regulatory hammer down on data centers after many community members complained about excessive noise, utility bills and environmental concerns stemming from the city’s existing facilities.

Nine months removed from the September moratorium, Aurora’s data centers are having to play by new rules. Restrictions on where facilities can be built and updates to zoning rules to give the city approval power over new developments. Strict noise emission, water efficiency and energy efficiency standards for new data centers. Mandatory annual reporting of energy use, water use, noise levels and the storage of biometric data for all data centers, including those already built.

“My administration is about putting people and planet first, so it’s making sure that the lights always get turned on for residents of Aurora, instead of seeing the power stripped away for data centers,” Aurora Mayor John Laesch said. “It’s good news that other municipalities and counties are taking action on this.”

So far, at least six counties and nine cities in Illinois have approved data center moratoriums or regulations. Since May, Bloomington, Normal, Effingham, Bourbonnais, Carbondale, Logan County and Lake County have implemented data center moratoriums ranging from a six-month ban to a whole year. McLean County took a stronger approach in June, requiring existing data centers to document their electrical consumption and mandating data center proposals to identify potential impacts on local infrastructure, emergency services and utilities.

Much of the blowback against data centers stems from concerns about the facilities’ energy and water use amid rising utility costs.

Without regulations in place, advocates and local officials worry data centers will strain the electrical grid and deplete Lake Michigan and rural well water faster than rain, runoff and groundwater can replenish them. Data centers already account for 5.4% of Illinois’ electrical consumption and that demand is expected to balloon by 133% by 2030, according to the U.S. arm of the International Energy Agency. At the same time, electric costs for ComEd customers in June have jumped 12%, while prices for Ameren customers downstate rose by nearly 30%, according to the Citizens Utility Board, a utility consumer watchdog group.

Report continues here.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »