Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

Join the BACT for an Earth Day Celebration at Pederson and Rieke Family Preserves

Posted in BACT, Going green, Press Release, Topics Of Interest on April 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills, IL – Located adjacent to Flint Creek at the southwest corner of Lake Cook and Hart Roads, these preserves serve as a vital link between prairies, wetlands, and other conserved lands. They are also valued outdoor classrooms for Barrington High School students and reflect the community’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Event Highlights:

  • 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Drop-in volunteer restoration activities
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Short presentation during a student class period (exact time TBD)

Participants are welcome to join at any time throughout the day to assist with planting native species grown by District 220 students. Community volunteers, local officials, D220 faculty and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust will be on site to support the effort.

Melissa Kinast, Executive Director of BACT, shares, “Over the past decade, we’ve watched these preserves come back to life through thoughtful restoration. Today, that work is visible in the return of wildlife, improving water quality in the vernal pools, and the remarkable presence of lightning bugs that light up the landscape on summer evenings. Earth Day is an opportunity to share that progress with the community and continue building on it together.”

All are welcome to participate and experience the impact of conservation at the local level.

For more information, please email bactrust1@gmail.com. (Website under construction; visit our social media for up-to-date information.)

About Barrington Area Conservation Trust:

The Barrington Area Conservation Trust is committed to preserving open land, natural beauty, and biodiversity in the Barrington area, fostering a connection between people and the environment through conservation, education, and stewardship.

###

Read Full Post »

Illinois Senate Unanimously Passes Giannoulias E-Bike Bill

Posted in E-bikes, Entertainment, Politics, Press Release, School Districts, Springfield, Topics Of Interest on April 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Photo by: Martin Schutt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Illinois Senators (Wednesday) approved a sweeping statewide safety initiative spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to address the growing dangers posed by unregulated high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other powerful electric transportation devices operating on streets, bike lanes and sidewalks across the state.

The initiative focuses on higher-powered, higher-speed devices that fall outside current state definitions or remain largely unregulated, including certain e-bikes, e-motos and electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles. Illinois currently has no laws governing e-bikes and other micromobility devices that exceed 28 mph. Many of these devices have motors that exceed 750 watts and can travel well beyond 28 mph – in some cases over 50 mph – yet are not clearly addressed under existing law.

Illinois will maintain its current three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motor assistance up to 28 mph – a framework already used in 46 other states. Under the proposal, those classifications would remain unchanged except for new age requirements that a rider on a Class 1 or Class 2 must be at least 15 years old.

Under the legislative framework:

  • Riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph would be required to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.
  • High-speed micromobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles would be prohibited from operating over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks. In addition, riders of any electric micromobility device must be at least 16 years old.
  • The legislation establishes statewide consistency, replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances that vary widely from one municipality to another.

If signed into law, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2027. E-bikes and e-motos purchased prior to that date would be exempt from the title requirement but must still be registered.

Along with the legislation, the Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign will deliver:

  • Statewide public awareness outreach for parents, riders and retailers,
  • Updated driver education materials focused on sharing the road safely,
  • Law enforcement guidance and community safety partnerships, and
  • Outreach to schools and municipalities on responsible micromobility use.

The initiative is part of the Secretary of State’s broader effort to modernize transportation safety laws and respond proactively to emerging technologies before preventable injuries and fatalities continue to rise.

The full release can be read here.

Read Full Post »

Allstate Property Could Be Annexed Back into South Barrington as part of a Major Redevelopment Effort

Posted in Press Release, Real Estate, South Barrington on April 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2026
Contact: Travis Akin
618-303-1108 

South Barrington, IL – In an unprecedented move, Allstate Corp. has formally requested the Village of South Barrington to annex the site of its former headquarters, just over a year after the land was legally disconnected from the suburb. 

“This is truly a rare occurrence,” said South Barrington Attorney James Vasselli. “We’ve never seen a property owner go from excising land from a municipality to seeking annexation again. It’s a unicorn event.”

The proposed annexation comes as plans for the redevelopment of the approximately 67-acre site, located at the southeast corner of Higgins and Bartlett roads, are taking shape. Opus, a company based in Rosemont, has expressed interest in purchasing the property to construct a light-industrial complex.

This new proposal follows a previous plan put forth by Texas-based Hillwood Development Co. in 2022. The Cook County court granted Allstate’s petition for disconnection in February 2025, but with Hillwood now out of the picture, Opus has a contract to acquire the land.

“One door closes, another door opens,” Vasselli said. “This property was always going to be developed. The question was would the development take place with or without the Village’s input. Thanks to the leadership of the Mayor and others in the South Barrington community – the Village will be involved and that is very good news for residents.”

The Allstate property is strategically situated just north of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and adjacent to the popular Arboretum of South Barrington shopping center. The site has remained vacant since Allstate consolidated its operations in Northbrook in 2012, but with Opus’s interest, there is renewed optimism for the area’s development.

Opus plans to construct three buildings, which is two fewer than the previous proposal by Hillwood. Village representatives and Opus met in January to discuss the development, with Mayor Paula McCombie emphasizing the benefits of annexation during their discussions.

Allstate officially filed for annexation on April 7, and the plan was presented publicly at last week’s village board meeting. In her weekly communication to residents, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie says the move follows a pattern of businesses showing an interest in South Barrington.

“There is definitely renewed interest in South Barrington because of what we have been able to accomplish in recent months,” McCombie said. “There is a desire to be a part of the exciting growth and development of our community. The future is bright for our community.”

The annexation and subsequent development would not only generate property tax revenue for the village but also alleviate some financial burdens on residents. It would also provide South Barrington officials with a say in the development’s progression.

“We have a seat at the table,” McCombie said. “We look forward to working with our corporate partners in the development of this property. Negotiations are currently underway, with the next step being a presentation to the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.”

###

 

Read Full Post »

Barrington Honors 55 Vietnam War Veterans at Evergreen Cemetery

Posted in Press Release, Signal Hill NSDAR on April 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Attendees at the National Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Service on March 29, 2026, placed a U.S. flag and Vietnam War commemorative flag on the graves of 55 Vietnam War veterans at Barrington’s Evergreen Cemetery.

On Palm Sunday afternoon, the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, together with the Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores, American Legion Palatine Post 690, and local veterans, gathered at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington, IL, to honor all veterans—men and women—of the Vietnam War era. The National Vietnam War Veterans Day Memorial Service took place at 1:30 p.m. on March 29, 2026.

The ceremony featured inspirational remarks from Todd Sholeen, Village Trustee, Village of Barrington; Bill Bishop, President of the Veterans of Lake Barrington Shores; Jesse D. Rojo, Chair of Illinois Veterans for Change, Member of the Barrington American Legion and Barrington Area Veterans Fraternity group; and Mark Cramer, Commander of American Legion Palatine Post 690. Opening remarks were delivered by Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR Regent Ruth Groth, while closing remarks were given by event Chair Joyce Wright.

Veteran Mary Arvidson of the Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR, played Taps at the end of the service. Both the United States and Vietnam Veteran flags were placed on the fifty-five graves of Vietnam Era veterans. Each veteran was individually honored with a reading of their biography, placing a flag while saying their name aloud, expressing gratitude for their service, sharing a moment of silence, and delivering a salute in their memory.

During the event, Vietnam veterans in attendance were invited to participate in a pinning ceremony to recognize their service. A National Vietnam War Veterans Day Memorial Service will take place again next year at Evergreen Cemetery on March 29, 2027.

The Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in Barrington, IL in 1972. NSDAR is a volunteer women’s service organization headquartered in Washington, DC.

DAR members promote historic preservation, education, patriotism and conservation via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service, and more.

Since its founding in 1890 over one million women have joined NSDAR. Membership is open to any woman aged eighteen and over who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution. For more information about the Barrington, IL-based chapter, visit signalhilldar.com.

Read Full Post »

‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential zoning

Posted in BACOG, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Dinky, Land Use, Lennie, Plan Commission, Politics, Press Release, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, South Barrington, Springfield, Zoning Board on February 26, 2026| 1 Comment »

Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills spoke out against Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control of residential zoning rules Thursday during a news conference in South Barrington. Flanking him are Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine, left, and South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

By Russell Lissau | Daily herald

Saying it will increase public safety and infrastructure costs and change the aesthetics of their communities, leaders of several Northwest suburbs gathered Thursday to oppose Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to reduce local officials’ ability to control residential construction.

The proposed changes, which Pritzker unveiled during his recent State of the State address, address minimum lot sizes, residential density rules, parking requirements, inspections and other aspects of residential construction. They could increase development of apartments, condominiums, two-flats and other types of multifamily housing.

They also could allow homeowners to build additional, free-standing residential buildings on lots designed for single-family homes. Pritzker dubbed the plan Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD.

During a news conference Thursday, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie urged legislators to reject Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed zoning reforms. Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin listens. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com

In a news conference at her community’s village hall, South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie urged state legislators to reject the package of bills that comprise Pritzker’s plan, some of which already have been introduced. Zoning regulations exist to support property owners, McCombie said, and these proposed changes would “strip away that local control.”

The minimum residential lot in nearby Barrington Hills — an upscale community where many residents keep horses on their properties — is five acres, and the land is full of riding trails. Forcing the village board to allow smaller lots or multifamily housing “will destroy our town,” Village President Brian Cecola said (Wow! He actually showed up!).

Article continues here.

Related: “McLaughlin and Local Mayors to Discuss Pritzker’s Zoning Proposals Coming to Local Government Thursday”

Read Full Post »

McLaughlin and Local Mayors to Discuss Pritzker’s Zoning Proposals Coming to Local Government Thursday

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Dinky, Land Use, Lennie, Plan Commission, Politics, Press Release, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Village Code, Village President, WTF, Zoning Board on February 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Who: State Representatives Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), Mayors and Administration from communities of South Barrington, North Barrington, & Lake Barrington (Not Barrington Hills??).

What: This press conference will address Governor Pritzker’s recently proposed efforts to drastically change zoning authority at the municipal level. The Representative and Mayors will discuss how these proposals directly impact the ability of municipalities to govern and plan for your communities.

When: Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 2PM

Where: Village of South Barrington Village Hall | 30 Barrington Rd., South Barrington, IL 60010

With questions, please call Mark Revis at 815-557-0252

Related: “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control”

Read Full Post »

‘So Proud to Be American’: Jack Hughes and the New Miracle on Ice

Posted in OP/Ed, Politics, Press Release, The Washington Free Beacon on February 23, 2026| 1 Comment »

MILAN, ITALY: Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrates after winning the Gold Medal hockey match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

By Washington Free Beacon Editors

What an end to the 2026 Olympic Games for Team USA. On the final day of competition in Milan, Italy, the Americans defeated the Canadians in an overtime, sudden-death, gold-medal game. Twenty-four-year-old Jack Hughes scored the winning goal. It was particularly sweet, and amazing, because in the third period he had his face bashed in so brutally that the Canadian thug who did it was assessed a double penalty.

“I looked on the ice and saw my teeth,” Hughes said after the game. The picture of Hughes celebrating with an American flag and a smile with a dark, bloody gap where his central incisors used to be belongs on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Time magazine, a Wheaties box—whatever. It’s a new miracle on ice.

The phrase is, of course, reminiscent of 1980, when an American team of ragtag amateurs defeated the four-time consecutive gold medalist Soviet Union, a team composed of professional players, and went on to defeat Finland to take the gold. Canada isn’t as evil as the Soviet Union was, though there have been moments recently, such as the January 16, 2026, Canadian government press release from Beijing headlined, “Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China,” when it has seemed ominously hostile. (For the record, the final medal count in the Winter Olympics had the United States with 33 medals total and China with 15.)

The hockey boys’ Milan medal is particularly resonant for America’s Jewish community. Jack Hughes and brother Quinn, also a member of Team USA, are Jewish. They were Bar Mitzvahed. Their mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and served as player development coach for the U.S. Women’s Team that also won gold in Milan. As Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire put it in a post on X, “For the last year there has been a whole lot of ‘just asking questions’ about Jewish Americans loyalty … Jack Hughes (Jewish) is the perfect metaphor. Taking a stick to the face to win Team USA gold against Canada. Then spouting pure patriotism.”

The reference was to Jack Hughes’s immediate postgame interview:

“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. … I’m so proud to be American today. … Just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there. … We’re USA. We’re so proud to be Americans. This night was all for our country. … We’re so proud to win for our country.”

Article continues here.

Read Full Post »

LET IT BE US ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE AND GINGERBREAD FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE AND THOSE AWAITING ADOPTION ACROSS

Posted in Fundraisers, Let It Be Us, Press Release, Resident Spotlights on October 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Let It Be Us, a licensed child welfare agency and trusted leader in adoption and foster care innovation, will host two holiday initiatives to benefit children in foster care and those awaiting across Illinois. Already a statewide leader in adoption reform, Let It Be Us continues to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and support systems surrounding the adoption process. As part of its mission, the organization utilizes and manages the Illinois Adoption Listing Service and The Heart Gallery of Illinois, providing caseworkers and prospective families with an interactive, user-friendly platform highlighting children and teens awaiting permanent, loving families. Through this system, families can view profiles, learn about each child’s unique story and interests, and take the first step toward adoption.

The annual Toy Drive for Children in Foster Care including Those Awaiting Adoption, will take place on December 11 and 12 at Let It Be Us headquarters, 145 West Main Street in Barrington. The organization will collect new, unwrapped toys for children in foster care throughout Northern Illinois, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) office in Waukegan, CASA of Lake County, and several local group homes. Donations of wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape are also appreciated. Monetary donations are accepted, and Let It Be Us will purchase gifts on behalf of donors through its Donation Page. A full list of requested toys can be found on the Toy Drive Event Page.

On December 4, Let It Be Us will also host Candy Cottage for a Cause: Gingerbread Holiday Fundraiser for Foster Care and Adoption at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook. The adults-only event will feature gingerbread house decorating led by a professional pastry artist, seasonal refreshments, and a festive evening supporting Let It Be Us programs that help children and teens in foster care find permanent, loving homes. Tickets can be purchased on their site.

Let It Be Us works in partnership with DCFS to connect licensed foster parents with children who are legally available for adoption, focusing on those with specialized needs, sibling groups, and children who have spent extended time in care. Through statewide programs such as the Adoption Listing Service and the Heart Gallery of Illinois, the organization assists families in navigating the adoption process to support successful placements.

“Our mission has always been to create innovative solutions that improve the futures of waiting children,” said Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director of Let It Be Us. “Events like the Toy Drive and Candy Cottage for a Cause not only raise awareness but also directly support our work to ensure every child in Illinois foster care has the opportunity to grow up in a loving, permanent home.” Serving Illinois for more than a decade, Let It Be Us continues to lead adoption and foster care innovation statewide. For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit www.letitbeus.org or call (847) 764-5428.

###

Read Full Post »

Statement from Rep. Martin McLaughlin on Proposed Chicago Cease-Fire Weekend

Posted in OP/Ed, Politics, Press Release, Resident Spotlights, Springfield on September 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills

(Barrington, IL) – Over the past three weeks, I’ve heard the words “threat” and “war” repeated hundreds—if not thousands—of times in the media. Too often, these words are used to describe efforts to protect innocent people in Chicago and other cities, as though the desire for safety itself has somehow become a problem. I firmly disagree.

Today, I am calling for something different: a Chicago Cease-Fire Weekend.

Saturday, September 13 should not be about threats. It should be about a promise—the promise of safety and security in every neighborhood, regardless of ZIP code or economic circumstance.

Let’s put politics aside. Republican, Democrat, Independent—it doesn’t matter. Let’s see if, together, we can make it through a single weekend without a shooting and without a murder. That is something every Chicagoan should expect, and something we should all strive for.

And if calling for peace, law, and order is somehow controversial, then we must ask: who is truly the problem? It’s not families, neighbors, or communities. It’s the criminals, the gangs, and the lenient policies that shield them—policies that now label offenders as “Justice Impacted Persons” while entire neighborhoods remain crime-impacted and violence-impacted generation after generation. It is long past time we put victims and communities first.

So today, I call on everyone—including those who too often pull the trigger—to stand down this weekend. Let’s get the Governor, the Mayor of Chicago and all elected officials who represent Chicago to walk the streets from dusk to dawn this weekend in a show of solidarity against crime and in support of safety for all Chicagoans. Religious leaders and other community leaders who oppose a federal solution should join together to demonstrate that they can come together to make the city safe. Let’s give Chicago a chance to breathe, a chance to hope, a chance to live. Safety is a Right not a Privilege!

Chicago Cease-Fire Weekend Starts Saturday September 13th. Together, let’s prove it can be done.

— State Representative Martin McLaughlin, 52nd District

###

Read Full Post »

Open letter regarding Arlington Heights Stadium from President & CEO Kevin Warren

Posted in Press Release on September 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Dear Chicago Bears Fans:

Tonight marks the 106th season of Chicago Bears football. Our team has played almost 1,500 regular season games since our first game as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, 180 miles to the south in Decatur, Illinois. Since our inception, we have played under different names, with different uniforms, in different cities, at different venues. That said, one critical component has remained constant – the Chicago Bears belong to more than just Chicago. We belong to the entire state of Illinois. The Nation. The World.

We are at a pivotal juncture of the Chicago Bears franchise to build a new stadium, our future home in Arlington Heights, which will require zero state money for construction. This is the year to finalize our stadium plans so we can officially bid to host a Super Bowl as soon as 2031. This is the moment to begin moving toward that future, and we want you with us.

The 2025 season marks an exciting time to be a Bears fan. We open the season tonight, on Monday Night Football, with a new Head Coach, a young, talented roster and a best-in-class staff. We are focused on competing for championships, and on building a transformative home for the future.

Since I was hired as President & CEO of the Chicago Bears in April of 2023, we have invested significant time, energy, and resources to strengthen our football operations, business operations, and stadium planning. Our formal head coaching search began in January of 2025, and we were fortunate to hire Ben Johnson, who has already provided leadership, accountability, and vision. General Manager Ryan Poles and Coach Johnson have built a stronger roster through free agency, trades, and an excellent draft class. Just as we have strengthened our team on the field, we have also remained focused off the field on delivering a world-class home for the future.

In evaluating options for a new stadium, the focus of the McCaskey family has been clear: build a world-class stadium that requires zero money from the State of Illinois for its construction. We are partnering with political, labor, business, and community leaders across Illinois to develop a plan for property tax certainty and a fair contribution toward essential infrastructure that will benefit the entire community. Arlington Heights is the only site within Cook County that meets that standard. It allows us to better serve our fan base and deliver a truly transformative and elevated gameday experience.

Our new stadium, with a fixed-roof and the corresponding mixed-use development, will be worthy of the most passionate fan base in the NFL and capable of hosting marquee events year-round – from the Super Bowl to the Final Four to global soccer games to concerts to community events to youth sporting events. After purchasing 326 acres in Arlington Heights in 2023, we thoroughly evaluated other sites within Chicago’s city limits, but none were viable.

Moving outside of the city of Chicago is not a decision we reached easily. This project does not represent us leaving, it represents us expanding. The Bears draw fans from all over Illinois, and over 50 percent of our season-ticket holders live within 25 miles of the Arlington Heights site. The project provides us the opportunity to build a stadium and mixed-use development that will benefit our fans, our region, and our future together. Most importantly, the new stadium will elevate the fan experience with easy access, whether by Metra train directly to the site or a short drive with ample parking and tailgating, creating a vital connection between Chicago and the broader Cook County community, ensuring every fan feels at home.

Our new stadium and mixed-use district will generate lasting benefits for residents, workers, families, and fans in Arlington Heights, Cook County, and the State of Illinois. This development will create more than 56,000 construction jobs, and 9,000 permanent jobs. We are forecasting $10 billion in economic impact attributed to statewide construction, and $256 million in annual statewide new business and tourism impact. Chicago only has 10 cranes in the sky, which pales in comparison to other major cities. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Chicago, its surrounding communities, and the state of Illinois to become the pinnacle of sports and entertainment destinations.

This is the type of venue and destination that you all have deserved for years, and we are working every day to make progress. This stadium will allow us to have the best home field advantage in the National Football League. While we do not yet have all the answers, we are optimistic about working with the Village of Arlington Heights to obtain necessary approvals and begin building our new home.

Right now, though, it is time to Bear Down. Have fun tonight, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl championship team. We need to make sure we create an incredible home field advantage.

For more than 50 years, Soldier Field has been our home. But so too were Wrigley Field, Memorial Stadium, and Staley Field. We hope Arlington Heights will soon join that list – not because of its steel, brick, or glass, but because it will house what is irreplaceable to this franchise: You. Our Fans. Our Family.

Take Care, and Godspeed.

Sincerely,

Kevin Warren
President & CEO
Chicago Bears Football Club

Click here to view the press release.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »