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Ding Doubles Down

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Daily Herald, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, New Normal?, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 8, 2025| 5 Comments »

Last month we shared with you “Ding’s D220 Deception,” highlighting the several D220 Board of Education (BOE) policies that current school board member, Erin Chan Ding, is violating in her run in the Democratic primary in the 52nd House District.

In announcing her candidacy for State Rep for the 52nd District, Ding has violated her oath of office as a nonpartisan member of the D220 Board of Education. With each campaign post, speech, appearance, and political handshake for her bid for the 52nd, she is in direct violation of the very school board code of conduct she has pledged multiple times to uphold:

2:80-E Exhibit – Board Member Code of Conduct

Each member of the Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education ascribes to the following code of conduct:

  1. I will represent all school district constituents honestly and equally and refuse to surrender my responsibilities to special interest or partisan political groups.
  2. I will avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety which could result from my position, and shall not use my Board of Education membership for personal gain or publicity.

Since announcing her candidacy, Ding has doubled down on her D220 deception, attending several events in her capacity as a Democrat candidate for State Rep, including Democratic House Majority Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s “Equality & Pride 365” celebration in Chicago on June 24.

Ding is endorsed by, and hobnobbing with, progressive Democrat darling. Theresa Mah. Both have used Ding’s Board of Education position as publicity in support of her run for the 52nd District.

It is apparent from her Erin for Illinois webpage that Ding is widely publicizing her Board of Education position, the achievements of the D220 Board of Education, whether hers or not, to support her run for the 52nd. Indeed, she is widely publicizing her decidedly Democratic talking point of having voted 3 times as a D220 BOE member to “keep educator-approved LGBTQ+ authored books on high school library’s shelves.”

Are we to believe that Ding didn’t talk about her votes while waiving her rainbow fan with her friends at Speaker Welch’s “Equality & Pride 365” celebration? Given the fact that the vast majority of her listed qualifications to run for State Rep center around her work as a Board of Ed member, it would be impossible for Ding to promote herself as a candidate without mentioning her service on the BOE.

Are we also to believe that in seeking political favors and endorsements from various democrats, such as Welch and Mah, throughout the State she is not beholden to follow the Democratic party line when voting as a BOE member? This is the very definition of surrendering her responsibilities to special interest and partisan political groups.

One also wonders if the “educators” who “approved” the LGBTQ+ books Ding voted in favor of include the D220 educators who have publicly endorsed Ding on her political web and social pages? That certainly raises the question of impropriety. Ding knows what a conflict of interest is. She’s just apparently arbitrary in her self-enforcement of them.

The question you may have is, with the partisan history of this decidedly Democrat leaning Board of Education, what can be done? We suggest you start by emailing the Board of Education members and Superintendent Winkelman asking them how they plan to address Ding’s violation of her School Board oath of office. Will they hold Ding, and themselves, to the very polices they all voted to adopt? Will they at least attempt to give the appearance of nonpartisanship and represent the entire community, not just the faction that leans the same way they do?

We know from past issues like ignored survey responses, COVID school closures, student masking & sexually explicit books in D220 libraries, an email may feel like a fruitless waste of your time. That is why we also suggest copying the Regional Office of Education, the entity responsible for ensuring Illinois School Boards follow policy, and ask they hold the D220 Board of Education accountable to the standards set for all Boards of Education throughout Illinois.

D220 Superintendent: cwinkelman@barrington220.org

D220 Board of Education: stwang@barrington220.org, dclopton@barrington220.org, baltshuler@barrington220.org, sbradford@barrington220.org, lcollisterlazzari@barrington220.org, echanding@barrington220.org, hsrivastava@barrington220.org

Regional Office of Education: ROEISC@isbe.net

Dr. Michael Karner Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools: Mkarner@lake.k12.il.us

The reality is Ding has every right to run as a Democrat for State Rep, but she does not have the right to use her current position on the Board of Education for personal gain or publicity in her capacity as a candidate. If Ding chooses to continue her run for State Rep she has no choice but to step down from her position on the BOE.

This is not the time for complacency. The next meeting of the D220 Board of Education is July 15th. Send the email, make your voice heard, speak up during public comment, share this information with friends and neighbors, and hold the D220 Board of Education accountable to the policies they set. Make it clear to the D220 Board of Ed that you consider the BOE a vital elected position that impacts your children and your tax dollars; a position you believe should be more than just a stepping stone for their present and future political ambitions.

Related: “Ding’s D220 Deception,” “Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd,” “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

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‘It’s just getting out of control’: More towns restricting kids from electric bikes and scooters

Posted in Bicyclists, Daily Herald, Public Safety, Traffic on July 3, 2025| 1 Comment »

Kids ride e-scooters near Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights this week. Neighbors have complained to the village board and asked officials to impose restrictions. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

By Christopher Placek | Daily Herald

Controversy and concern over the use of electric bicycles and scooters continues its journey from town to town throughout the suburbs this summer as more municipalities consider putting the brakes on kids from operating the mini vehicles.

After neighboring Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg approved sets of new rules last month, residents in Arlington Heights complained to village leaders this week about children riding up and down darkened streets, paths around Lake Arlington and even the downtown Arlington Alfresco pedestrian area.

“It’s just getting out of control,” said Mindy Bowes, who lives a block north of the 50-acre man-made Lake Arlington. “These kids don’t wear helmets. They don’t stop at stop signs. They don’t stop at the lights either. It’s just getting very dangerous.”

Bowes said her street, Crabtree Drive, and the two-mile walking path that encircles the lake have become popular locales for kids to race motorized bikes and scooters. But she also said dirt bikes and ATVs are becoming commonplace behind her backyard, below the ComEd power lines and at the adjacent soccer fields of Wildwood Park.

“We’re just asking for a little bit of help with these kids,” Bowes told village board members at a meeting Monday night. “I don’t know what else to do. So I’m asking for you to come up with some of the same ideas that are going on in some of these other villages.”

Kids ride e-scooters near Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights this week. Neighbors have complained to the village board and asked officials to impose restrictions. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

Under rules that went into effect Tuesday in Elk Grove, anyone who doesn’t have a valid driver’s license — by definition, anyone under 16 — is barred from operating an e-bike, e-scooter or e-skateboard on public streets.

Schaumburg approved a similar measure last month, setting the minimum rider age at 16, requiring riders to wear helmets and use vehicle lights at night, and prohibiting their operation on sidewalks.

In Addison, riders of e-scooters must be at least 18, while anyone aboard a Class 3 e-bike — the fastest type of bike that can go 28 mph — must be 16.

Read more here.

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Redevelopment begins on west side of former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Estates

Posted in 220, Daily Herald, Hoffman Estates, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes on June 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Monday for the west side of Bell Works Chicagoland in Hoffman Estates. The project is a redevelopment of the former AT&T headquarters. | Courtesy of Bell Works

By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald

With the promise of doubling the opportunities it’s created so far, Bell Works Chicagoland has begun redeveloping the west side of the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Estates to complete its “metroburb” project.

The new phase was launched Monday just as the east side of the building approaches 95% of its leasing capacity.

The west side will include 430,000 square feet of traditional office space, about 35,000 square feet of furnished “Ready-to-Wear” suites, and 70,000 square feet of retail space expected to available for occupancy during the autumn of 2026.

A crucial component of the work will be removing an overpass in the middle of the building to create more natural light and improve the campus’ connectivity.

A rendering of the redevelopment of the west side of Bell Works Chicagoland in Hoffman Estates, outside of the former AT&T headquarters from which the “metroburb” has been forged. | Courtesy of Inspired by Somerset Development | npz studio+ | Wight & Co.

Other plans for the west side include a turf element on its East Square, a rooftop bar, a café with open seating and a central entrance lobby.

“This west side groundbreaking is a defining moment not just for Bell Works Chicagoland, but in proving how the metroburb model can reshape the suburban landscape,” Ralph Zucker, CEO and founder of Inspired by Somerset Development, said in a statement. “As the flight to quality accelerates, employees are gravitating towards walkable, amenity-rich destinations that allow them to seamlessly integrate both their work and personal lives.”

The project will feature architecture by Wight & Company and interiors by npz studio+ to mirror the east side’s aesthetic while also introducing new features.

Representatives of the village of Hoffman Estates and developers gathered Monday for the groundbreaking of the west side of Bell Works Chicagoland. The project is a redevelopment of the former AT&T headquarters.
| Courtesy of Bell Works

Read more here.

Related: “Construction begins on 164 high-end townhouses at Bell Works in (CUSD 220) Hoffman Estates,” “Krishnamoorthi secures $500,000 in grants for roads near Hoffman Estates’ Bell Works development,”  “Bell Works Chicagoland in Hoffman Estates ready to add homes,”  “164 high-end townhouses coming to Bell Works in Hoffman Estates,” “Remaking white elephant suburban headquarters: Is a ‘metroburb’ headed to Hoffman Estates?” “Developer filing plan for townhouses, apartments at Bell Works in Hoffman Estates”

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Ding’s D220 Deception

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Daily Herald, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, New Normal?, News Media, OP/Ed, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Wirepoints on June 20, 2025| 4 Comments »

On April 22, 2025, the Barrington School District 220 election results were certified. Among the successful candidates was incumbent Erin Chan Ding.

The new members were installed at the May 6, 2025, School Board meeting. Ding previously won election in 2021 and had served as a School Board member for 4 years before winning reelection. During those years of service from May 4, 2021, through her reelection and installation on May 6, 2025, Barrington 220 School District policies, including the Code of Conduct, were discussed, revised and voted upon. Ding vowed to uphold these policies when she took her oath of office, the most recent being her swearing in on May 6, 2025. Among these policies are:

2:80-E Exhibit – Board Member Code of Conduct

Each member of the Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education ascribes to the following code of conduct:

  1. I will represent all school district constituents honestly and equally and refuse to surrender my responsibilities to special interest or partisan political groups.

  2. I will avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety which could result from my position, and shall not use my Board of Education membership for personal gain or publicity.

Board records show that the Board discussed and voted to reaffirm the Code of Conduct on September 5, 2023, where Ding seconded the motion. Ding further serves on the Board’s Policy Committee that once again reviewed and recommended this Code of Conduct on August 24, 2024.

As seen in recent publications, on June 18th, Ding officially launched her candidacy in the Democratic primary in the 52nd House District. In doing so, Ding has squarely violated the Board Member Code of Conduct. In Sec. 2:80-E(1), Ding swore to:

“refuse to surrender (her) responsibilities to special interest or partisan political groups…”

Yet, on June 18 she launched a decidedly partisan campaign for a Democratic position. In Sec. 2:80-E(2), Ding swore to “not use (her) Board of Education membership for personal gain or publicity.” Yet, as seen on her social media pages and in media releases, Ding has published and been quoted using her Board of Education position as a boon for her Democratic campaign:

“As a twice-elected school board member, I care deeply about ensuring all children and people feel valued and seen — and confident that their local representatives will work for them.” (Daily Herald article)

Ding has violated her oath of office and her commitment to non-partisan representation of the Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education. One of the Illinois Democratic Party’s largest funding comes from Illinois Teachers Unions.

Wirepoints recently reported: “In the last four years alone, Illinois lawmakers and political candidates have taken nearly $30 million in contributions from teachers unions and their national affiliates. Nearly $26 million, or 94%, of those contributions have been accepted by Democrats… Since 2020, 19 of the top 20 recipients of teacher union political contributions were Democrats or Democratic Party-supported initiatives.” (https://wirepoints.org/teacher-unions-have-spent-nearly-30-million-on-elections-in-four-years-wirepoints/)

In fact, Illinois Federation of Teachers endorsed the Democratic challenger, Maria Peterson, in the last election for the 52nd House District. (https://www.ift-aft.org/candidates).

You’ll be hard pressed to find a Republican among these endorsements, although there are a few. And, Peterson’s D-2’s for her run for the 52nd exhibits over $37,000.00 in donations from Illinois Federation of Teachers and Lake County Federation of Teachers.

(Click on images to enlarge)

It is implausible to believe that Ding will not be beholden to the teachers’ unions or disavow endorsements and donations from their lobbyists. Similarly, JB Pritzker’s $50,000.00 will be in play,

(Click on image to enlarge)

not to mention the other hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Democratic Party that built up Peterson’s $2,821,571.28 war chest. Ding simply cannot avoid the “appearance of impropriety” while she panders to these partisan special interest groups in order to build her own war chest.

And, of course, she votes on the union contract for the D220 teachers as well as on any disciplinary actions to be taken against a teacher. Yet, she lists among her endorsements multiple “public educators” in Barrington 220. How does this not present a “conflict of interest” and an “appearance of impropriety”?

Beyond these clear violations of the Code of Conduct, in seeking these endorsements Ding has also violated Sec. 2:105 Ethics & Gift Ban, which prohibits acceptance of political favors.

It is also implausible to believe that Ding did not conceive of running for the 52nd at the same time she was running for 220 School Board. Ding deceived the voters in running for her current position on the Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education. In fact, she has commingled her Erin for Illinois social media page with that of her Erin for 220 page as if there’s no distinction.

“Friends of Erin Chan Ding” is listed as being responsible for her “Erin for Illinois” Facebook page in her run for the 52nd District and is the committee that ran Ding’s School Board election. This is another clear violation of her oath and the Code of Conduct. She boldly states: “And yes, I’ll continue to serve on the Barrington 220 school board with my whole heart during this campaign,” as though she has the unfettered right to defy the rules that govern her School Board conduct.

We call upon and urge all voters to demand Ding’s immediate resignation from Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education as she has violated the Board Code and demonstrated her clear partisan representation of the public in this position.

Editorial note: We’d be remiss in failing to point out that two other Community Unit School District 220 Board of Education members have participated in Ding’s announcement that she’s running for higher office, with both Barry Altshuler and Harathi Srivistava appearing at Ding’s announcement party (both pictured in the photo above).

While this may not rise to the level of an OMA violation, it certainly evidences the very partisan (Democratic) nature of your current District 220 Board of Education. Indeed, Srivistava was widely endorsed and largely funded by the Illinois Democratic Party.

Related: “Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd,” “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

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BHPD NOTICE OF CHANGE IN REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS START TIME

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Community Alerts, Countryside Elementary School, Daily Herald, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Look For The Union Label, Open Meetings Act, Press Release, Property Taxes, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Unions on June 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills Park District, Located in Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties, Barrington Hills, IL

Please take notice that the Board of Park Commissioners of the Barrington Hills Park District has changed the time of its regular meetings. Effective July 9, the regular meetings of the Board of Park Commissioners will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

The meetings will be held at the Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills, IL. The schedule of regular meetings for the remainder of 2025 is as follows:

July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

This notice is provided in accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Date of Notice, July 16, 2025

Jessica Underwood,
President
Barrington Hills Park District
Contact Kim Keper, 847-783-6772, kim@bhillsparkd.org for further inquiries

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Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, Daily Herald, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on June 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Erin Chan Ding | Courtesy of Kiley Humbert photography

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

Candidates are beginning to line up for the Democratic primary in the 52nd House district.

Erin Chan Ding, who retained her seat on the Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board in April, announced Wednesday she is running for the seat currently held by Republican Martin McLaughlin.

Recently, Jesse Rojo, who fell short in his bid for Barrington village trustee in April, declared he is running.

A marathon runner and independent journalist, Chan Ding, a South Barrington resident, said she aims to invest in public education, make child care affordable, fight for livable wages, protect the environment and steward taxpayer dollars responsibly in Springfield.

“I’m a working mom running to bring kindness, respect and real representation to Springfield,” Chan Ding said. “As a twice-elected school board member, I care deeply about ensuring all children and people feel valued and seen — and confident that their local representatives will work for them. Our communities deserve leaders who listen, who uplift every voice and who work tirelessly to build a future in which people from every background can thrive.”

Read more here.

Related: “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

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Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026

Posted in 220, Animal Welfare, Board of Education, Clown Car, Daily Herald, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, Unions on June 14, 2025| 3 Comments »

Jesse Rojo, Erin Chan Ding and Maria Peterson

Three Democratic candidates have declared, or will declare shortly, their candidacies for the Illinois 52nd District House seat currently held by Representative Martin McLaughlin. McLaughlin has held this seat for four and a half years now having won election three times.

On Tuesday, the Daily Herald posted, “Former Barrington village board candidate running for State house seat,” namely Jesse Rojo. Records indicate Rojo, 29, moved to Barrington in March of 2023 from Des Plaines. His social media pages indicates he will be active this Flag Day at “No Kings” events, so look him there today.

Recently reelected CUSD 220 Board of Education member Erin Chan Ding is hosting a “Launch Party” event this coming Wednesday in Barrington to officially announce her candidacy.

And last, Maria Peterson, who ran in the November 2024 52nd District election against Martin McLaughlin, has announced her campaign kickoff event will be held June 23rd in Barrington. Peterson also ran for office in 2022 against former Senate Senator Dan McConchie in the 26th District.

The General Primary Election is on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2026.

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Mother-son duo from Barrington building bonds on ‘Lego Masters’

Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment, Resident Spotlights, Topics Of Interest on June 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Anne and Luke Horvath, mother and son duo from Barrington, compete on Season 5 of “Lego Masters.” | Lago Masters/FOX

By Briana Iordan | Daily Herald

Luke Horwath was 5 when he got his first Lego set.

He sat with his mother, Anne, at their kitchen table, bonding as they created a car and a helicopter. He’s been building ever since.

The Barrington mother and son are competitors in season five of “Lego Masters,” a national competition television series hosted by Will Arnett. While filming has wrapped, viewers know that so far the Horwaths are still in the running.

On the show, teams of two Lego enthusiasts take part in challenges, building massive complex creations and crafting captivating stories to win $100,000 and the “Lego Masters” title. New episodes air Mondays at 7 p.m. on FOX.

“The Super Bowl for football is the biggest event of the year for the sport, and ‘Lego Masters’ is the biggest event of the year for the Lego community,” Luke said. “This is absolutely a dream come true.”

Luke Horwath of Barrington shows off a Lego display in 2017. | Courtesy of the Horwath family

Facing off against some of the best builders in the world, Anne and Luke’s skills were put to the test.

“We each bring something unique to the table and therefore make a great pairing,” Luke said. “I bring the motion and mechanisms, and my mom brings the creativity and the design flair.”

Read more here.

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McLaughlin: Change necessary soon in Springfield

Posted in Daily Herald, Economy, Guest Essay, Resident Spotlights, Springfield, Topics Of Interest on June 8, 2025| 3 Comments »

Rep. Marty McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills

By Rep. Martin McLaughlin | Published in the Daily Herald

Illinois has long been a pillar of American finance, from the iconic trading floors of Chicago to the small-town community banks that fuel local economies. But today, that foundation is cracking.

Earlier this year, Pulaski Savings Bank in Chicago became the first U.S. bank failure of 2025. Investigators uncovered a fraud scheme that left the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with a $28.5 million loss. Though the incident was isolated, it revealed how fragile some of our financial institutions have become, particularly in an environment where regulatory frameworks are unclear, oversight is uneven, and compliance burdens disproportionately harm smaller players.

Unfortunately, the Pulaski collapse isn’t the only sign of trouble. Illinois’ commercial banking industry is expected to shrink this year, with revenues projected to fall to $67.8 billion. Venture capital investment in the state has dropped by more than half since 2021. And between mid-2023 and mid-2024, Illinois lost more than 56,000 residents, more than 8,000 of them from Chicago.

These numbers don’t lie: people and businesses are leaving. Among those leaving are precisely the professionals we need to drive financial innovation — technologists, investors and entrepreneurs. They’re choosing to relocate to places where it’s easier to get a loan, launch a startup or raise a family — states like Indiana, Florida and Texas, which are lowering taxes, simplifying regulations and investing in innovation.

Illinois, by contrast, has doubled down on high taxes, restrictive rules and bureaucratic sprawl. Thousands of private-sector jobs have vanished, and venture capital investment in Illinois dropped more than 50% from 2021 to 2023. Corporate icons like Boeing and Caterpillar have moved their headquarters out of state. Meanwhile, the number of state employees continues to grow, and pension liabilities balloon, even as the state’s population shrinks. Projections suggest Illinois could see a one-third decline in high school graduates by 2040.

Instead of taking steps to attract economic growth and financial innovation, the state and federal governments are layering on more uncertainty.

One example is Illinois’ Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, set to take effect on July 1. The law aims to protect consumers from high debit and credit card fees, but the local business owners and community bankers I speak with are deeply concerned it will do just the opposite.

The law is vague and poorly communicated and merchants don’t know how it will impact their payment systems. Local banks are unsure whether their infrastructure will remain compliant, and small retailers worry about delays it may cause in card processing — or worse, being forced to raise prices or go cash-only. In small towns, where margins are tight and every customer counts, these disruptions could be devastating.

Then there’s the federal lawsuit filed last year by the Department of Justice against Visa, the preferred debit card exchange in much of Illinois, alleging that it has too much market power. But Visa operates in a competitive market with dozens of alternative networks. The businesses and community banks I have spoken to say the case feels less like a serious effort to promote competition and more like a Washington micromanagement effort that will create needless instability for the Illinois residents who depend on these platforms every day.

We cannot allow Illinois to fall further behind. A growing number of states are rolling out the welcome mat for financial firms and fintech startups. Illinois, with its legacy of banking excellence and world-class institutions, should be leading that charge — not watching from the sidelines.

To do that, we must change course. That starts with reforming our tax and regulatory policies to encourage growth, not drive it away. We need to work closely with community banks to support responsible lending, especially in underserved areas. We must protect small businesses from the confusion and cost spikes caused by unclear federal mandates. And we should push back against legal and regulatory overreach that discourages investment and undermines confidence in our financial infrastructure.

But this isn’t just about markets. It’s about trust. Families and business owners need to believe that Springfield is working with them, not against them. They need to see that Illinois can be a place where hard work and smart risk-taking are rewarded — not buried in red tape.

Illinois has the tools: the talent, the institutions and the geographical advantages. What’s lacking is the political will to act boldly and decisively.

If we want to reverse the exodus of people and capital, revitalize our financial sector and restore Illinois’ standing as a hub of innovation, we must be willing to embrace reform — and soon. Our future depends on it.

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin is a Republican from Barrington Hills.

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Where to find Memorial Day ceremonies and parades

Posted in Daily Herald, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on May 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26. Here are some of the events planned to honor United States military personnel who have given their lives in service of their country.

Friday, May 23

Cary’s Field of the Fallen: Opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, and closing ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday, May 26, on Three Oaks Road, next to Aldi, Cary. Join the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois as they honor the brave Illinois soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Featuring flags, one each bearing a soldier’s name, date of death, and age starting from the Gulf conflict. Honor Illinois’s fallen heroes by standing watch, volunteering, or simply visiting. Names will be read aloud every hour. facebook.com/veteransnetwork/.

Saturday, May 24

SALUTE Inc., Honor and Remember Walk/Run: 8 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at Lake Arlington, 2201 Windsor Drive, Arlington Heights. Two-mile Honor Walk and four-mile Remember Run. All registered participants will receive a lightweight hat. Virtual participation is Saturday through Monday, May 24-26. $25. Register at saluteinc.org.

West Dundee Memorial Dedication: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Tri-City Evergreen VFW Post 2298, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. In addition to the unveiling of the new memorial, the ceremony will feature presentation of the Colors by the Post 2298 Color Guard; national anthem performed by Shannon Marcou; invocation by Father John McNamara of St. Catherine of Siena; readings from this year’s Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy winners, and the “Gettysburg Address”; keynote address by State Commander Maurice Bridges; 21-gun salute and the playing of taps; laying of the wreath by the Auxiliary; and benediction and closing remarks. facebook.com/Post2298.

Sunday, May 25

Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores Memorial 5K: 8 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at the Market Place Shopping Center, 5035-5075 Market Place Road, Lake Barrington. Event features a brief veteran-led ceremony of remembrance prior to the running of the 5K race through the Lake Barrington Shores community. Proceeds benefit the initiatives of the Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores and the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation. $50; $25 for active duty, reserve, veteran, police and fire personnel. memorial5k.com.

Monday, May 26

Barrington Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, May 26. The parade steps off from the Veterans Memorial on Park Avenue, proceeds west on Main Street, left on Dundee Avenue, and right into Evergreen Cemetery. The ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery will begin following the parade. Free. barrington-il.gov.

An oversized American flag was part of the Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade in 2023. This year’s event steps off at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 26. | Daily Herald file photo

Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 26, stepping off at Arlington Heights Road and Sigwalt Street, Arlington Heights. Parade heads west to Sigwalt, turns north on Dunton, turns west on Euclid, and south on Chestnut, concluding at Memorial Park for the ceremony at 11 a.m. Patriotic music by Arlington Heights Community Concert Band. All veterans are invited to participate; email an application by Friday, May 24, to greg.padovani@gmail.com. Free. ahpd.org.

Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg Memorial Day Observance: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Hoffman Estates Veterans Memorial outside the police department, 411 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. The observance begins at the Hoffman Estates Veterans Memorial Site, then continues at 10:45 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, 202 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Followed by hot dogs and other refreshments served at the Picnic Grove at St. Peter Church, weather permitting. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free. hoffmanestates.org.

Palatine American Legion Memorial Day Parade and Program: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Hillside Cemetery on Smith Street in Palatine. The parade will start at 10:15 a.m. at Cornell Avenue and Smith Street, and proceed north on Smith Street, east on Robertson Street, south on Brockway Street and east on Wood Street to the Veterans Memorial in Community Park for a short program, with another ceremony at the Legion Memorial in Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, at 12:15 p.m., followed by a final ceremony at Union Cemetery at 72-74 Greeley St. Free. alpost690.us.

Wauconda Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Homer T. Cook Memorial Park, 600 N. Main St. Hosted by American Legion Post 911, celebrating its 74th year. The parade heads south on Main Street and ends at Route 176. Main Street closed for vehicle traffic at 9:15 a.m. Memorial Day remembrance ceremony follows at noon at Memorial Park, Route 176 and Main Street. alpost911.org.

Cary Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26. Starting on First Street to Three Oaks Road and Park Avenue, ending at Veterans Park, Route 14 at Crystal Street. Hosted by AMVETS Post 245. CaryIllinois.com.

Crystal Lake Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: 11 a.m. Monday, May 26. Parade starts at Central High School and runs east on Franklin Avenue, north on Williams Street, and west on Woodstock Street to Union Cemetery for a memorial service. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Todd Bertulis will be the speaker. crystallake.org.

Lake Zurich Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony: 11-11:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Veterans Memorial at the Lake Zurich Police Department, 200 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Refreshments will be available after the services at the American Legion 51 Lions Drive. Free. lakezurich.org.

Dundee Memorial Day ceremony: 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at River Valley Memorial Gardens, 14N689 Route 31, West Dundee. They will be placing flags for the veterans at 9 a.m. Friday, May 23. To volunteer, call (847) 426-3031. rivervalleymemorialgardens.com.

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