Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Commercial Horse Boarding, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Flock Cameras, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, HARPS, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, IDOT, Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Longmeadow Parkway, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Overhead, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Roads and Bridges, SOS Party, Taxes, The Other Half, TMI, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Your Barrington Hills on September 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian/Riding Club Commission will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda and Zoom link can be found here.
Posted in Appointments, Clown Car, Deception, Elections, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 25, 2026| 1 Comment »
The governor also tried to distance himself from the increases by pointing to the board — which he appointed.
By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute
Gov. J.B. Pritzker both defended the toll hikes that were approved last week and sought to distance himself from them.
Pritzker appointed all eight Illinois Tollway board members who signed off unanimously on the increases, which include the largest passenger hike in state history.
Asked about the rate increases last week at the Illinois State Fair, Pritzker said they were necessary to ensure Illinois has proper road infrastructure to keep the state competitive for commercial activity.
“Let’s be clear. We want to make sure that our roads are pothole-free, that we’re making sure to build more so we can build our economy across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
He also defended the hikes in June at an unrelated event.
“It’s something that they need to do in order to make sure that we have the best roads, the best infrastructure, and I think that’s something that you may overlook may when you contemplate why they would consider this,” Pritzker said.
But also at the fair, he said, “That was something voted on by the tollway authority.”
Under Illinois law, the governor appoints the nine-member tollway board (it’s currently eight members) and serves as an ex-officio member along with the state Transportation Secretary.
Pritzker and the transportation secretary did not vote.
Report continues here.
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, Springfield, The Center Square, Unions on August 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
According to a new report on financial red flags, Illinois has a higher debt ratio than any other state and Chicago is the most financially tenuous place in America.
Reason Foundation used audited financial reports from state governments and the nation’s 100 largest cities, counties and school districts to evaluate them in eight measures of financial health.
Reason Foundation Research Director Geoff Lawrence said Illinois is way upside down, with a debt ratio of 276%.
“It has way more debt than assets, $80 billion in total assets versus $220 billion in debt, so if you were to try to liquidate all of the state’s assets to pay off all its debts, it would be impossible,” Lawrence told The Center Square.
The report also flagged Illinois for liabilities per capita and unrestricted net position.
Lawrence said Chicago residents are facing heavy city and county debt on top of federal and state debt.
“In addition to what you owe to the federal government in terms of outstanding debt per citizen, you owe substantial amounts as well to every level of local government,” Lawrence said, adding that the city continues to dig the hole.
“They outspent revenues by about $580 million in the last year for which we have data,” Lawrence said.
Read on here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Road construction, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on August 19, 2026| 2 Comments »
The sign-off from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s board came despite overwhelming online comment opposition.
By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute
Despite overwhelming online public opposition, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Tollway board unanimously approved a proposal Wednesday to hike tolls 57% for passenger vehicles and 30% for commercial vehicles.
The increases take effect Jan. 1.
The measure will increase tolls by about 45 cents each for passengers to an average of $1.24 per toll, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027. Commercial vehicle tolls will increase 30%, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.
Worse, starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board approval. The Illinois Policy Institute projects that passenger toll prices will triple from current levels by 2055.
The proposal was approved 8-0 to fund a new $26.5 billion, 15-year capital plan, but the automatic toll hikes will continue beyond the timeline of the proposed projects.
More here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Clown Car, Cost of Living, Deception, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Illinois Tollway board is slated to vote on the proposal this week.
By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute
Online public commenters overwhelmingly oppose proposed Illinois Tollway hikes slated for a vote this week.
Out of nearly 13,750 online comments received from June 18 to Aug. 3, about 10,500 oppose the proposal, 2,250 support it, and 1,000 were neutral. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained the results via a Freedom of Information Act request.
The public comment period has closed, but you can still let the board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker know you oppose the hike here.
The tollway board will likely approve the largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history at its Aug. 19 meeting. The plan would increase fees by 57% for passengers, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027.
Commercial vehicles would pay 30% more, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.
Starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board votes.
Report continues here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Daily Herald, IDOT, Lake, Road construction, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass, Unions on August 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“Route 59 from Cuba Road to Route 22 in North Barrington will be closed to traffic for more than a month beginning Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sept. 15.
The closure is necessary to replace the large box culvert under the highway and is part of the $2.17 million GHO Stormwater Drainage Project, designed to address 20 years of flooding in the area. The detour route is Route 59 to Cuba Road to Ela Road to Route 12 to Route 22.
Motorists should allow extra travel time. Visit northbarrington.org for more information about the stormwater drainage project.”
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on August 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Illinois Tollway board could vote as soon as next week on a proposal that would include the largest passenger toll increase in state history.
By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute
Public commenters online overwhelmingly oppose the Illinois Tollway’s proposed rate hikes.
Of the nearly 9,000 online responses received from July 12 to 24, approximately 7,500 opposed the proposal, 1,000 supported it, and 500 were neutral. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained the results via a Freedom of Information Act request.
The public comment period has closed, but you can still let the board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker know you oppose the hike here.
The tollway board could vote as soon as next week on the largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history. The plan would increase fees by 57% for passengers, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027.
Commercial vehicles would pay 30% more in toll fees, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.
Starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board votes.
Report continues here.
Posted in BOHICA, Clown Car, Cost of Living, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Traffic, Unions on July 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Illinois drivers have only a short window to comment on a $26.5 billion capital plan that includes the largest passenger tollway hike in state history.
By Shaw Carlson | Illinois Policy Institute
Drivers face up to 15 years of additional construction and congestion on Illinois toll roads under the system’s proposed capital plan.
They’ll also pay toll hikes continuing long after that.
The Driving Connections plan, announced in June, would spur projects on the Illinois Tollway system until 2042. The $26.5 billion plan would be funded with proposed toll hikes that Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed off on six months before the plan was released.
Former Tollway board member and state Sen. Bill Morris told the Daily Herald that “it appears they decided to raise tolls, and then they threw this together quickly for justification.”
The Tollway proposes raising tolls starting Jan. 1 by about 45 cents per toll for passenger drivers and 30% for commercial drivers. It would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.
You can tell the Tollway Board to reject the tax hike here.
The board is hosting public meetings until July 24 and taking public comments online until noon Aug. 3. The next regular board meeting at which the hike could be approved is Aug. 19.
Lawmakers driven by road needs or union politics?
The proposed toll hike is tied to politics around last year’s mass-transit bailout. Lawmakers redirected about $1 billion a year from the Road Fund toward Chicago-area public transportation, a move opposed by construction unions objecting to losing that road money. The toll hike became the price for labor union support.
House Speaker Chris Welch said unions wanted something to point to that would “help keep working people working and keep roads getting repaired.”
Pritzker appoints the tollway board, and two of its members hold leadership positions in construction unions.
The Driving Connections plan would fund road-widening, reconstruction, bridge work and congestion relief across interstates 355, 88, 294, 80, 94, 90 and the Route 390/I-490 O’Hare-area projects.
Many of those toll roads have recently seen extended periods of construction.
I-294 remains tied up in Central Tri-State work, I-90 was modernized during the previous capital plan and Route 390/I-490 work has been going on for years.
Illinois spent $90,400 per lane-mile in 2023 on state-owned roads — about $16,700 more than the Reason Foundation’s model calculated it should have cost.
Article continues here.
Once again, you can tell the Tollway Board to reject the tax hike here.
Posted in Barrington Education Association, Chicago Tribune, Commodius Maximus, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Fat Bastard, Girlie man, IDOT, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Tollway, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Transparency, Unions on July 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Lawmakers work in the Missouri House chamber on April 21, 2026, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri is asking voters whether to gradually eliminate its income tax and shift more toward taxing consumption. (David A. Lieb/AP)
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
Illinoisans often assume high taxes are simply the unavoidable cost of living in the Land of Lincoln. But just across our borders, states are making some very different choices.
Missouri is asking voters whether to gradually eliminate its income tax and shift more toward taxing consumption. Indiana continues to emphasize fiscal restraint and has approved further tax reductions. Wisconsin used part of a multibillion-dollar surplus to enact income tax cuts and has continued debating additional relief. Iowa phased out its graduated individual income tax in favor of a flat rate of 3.8%.
Maybe you think Missouri is making a mistake or Iowa has gone too far. Maybe Wisconsin will reverse course. That’s not our point here. What stands out for us is that our Midwestern neighbors are at least practicing some creative taxation thinking.
Take what is going on in Missouri. On Aug. 4, voters get the chance to weigh in on whether Missouri should fundamentally rethink how it taxes its citizens; specifically whether the Show-Me State should gradually shift its tax burden away from income and toward consumption.
Ironically, Missouri currently has the very tax structure Illinois progressives have long sought: a graduated income tax. Even so, its top marginal income tax rate (4.7%) is lower than Illinois’ flat rate (4.95%).
Missouri’s average combined state and local sales tax rate also remains far below the rate in Illinois. Approval of the amendment could eventually narrow that gap, depending on how lawmakers implement the shift. Even then, Missouri would have a long way to go to match Chicago’s 10.25%.
Article continues here.
Related: “(Meanwhile) Income tax CUT on Missouri ballot; Illinois may see more outmigration”
Posted in Clown Car, Deception, Elections, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on July 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The governor said Illinoisans wouldn’t be interested in a toll increase to keep the Bears. Then he signaled support for what would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.
By Rich Witzel | Illinois Policy Institute
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in June that Indiana would have to raise tolls and sales taxes to get the Chicago Bears to move there.
Illinoisans wouldn’t want a deal like that, he said.
The irony: Pritzker had already signed legislation authorizing a Chicago-area sales tax increase for transit, and he later defended proposed toll increases that would include the largest passenger hike in state history.
Late last year the governor signed the Chicago-area mass transit bailout bill, which replaced the Regional Transportation Authority with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority and created new funding for CTA, Metra and Pace.
Part of that funding comes from a 0.25 percentage-point increase in the existing RTA sales tax.
The tax is in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The RTA approved the increase last month, so as of Aug. 1 the higher, Pritzker-approved rates will be:
Report continues here.
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