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Archive for the ‘BACOG’ Category

Good questions deserve answers

Posted in BACOG, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order on June 26, 2020| 3 Comments »

Earlier this month hundreds of people gathered at an event at Citizens Park in Barrington (see “Hundreds gather in Barrington ‘to educate people’ on black lives”).

Last weekend we published, “Barrington cancels July 4th parade and fireworks while postponing other summer events,” and before we knew it, a reader posted a comment that was actually weighing on our minds:

“Curious as to why fireworks, parade and family fitness run, all Barrington traditions, are cancelled but BLM rally in Citizen Park allowed?”

Perhaps there was good reason for one or two event cancellations, but isn’t the 4th of July fireworks display just a peaceful gathering in a park-like setting at dusk?

If there’s some logic here, please share it or maybe someone should ask newly appointed BACOG chair Karen Darch.

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Karen Darch to chair BACOG for 2020-21 term

Posted in BACOG, South Barrington on June 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Village President Karen Darch

Officials from the Barrington Area Council of Governments have announced a new executive board leadership team for 2020-21.

Barrington Village President Karen Darch will serve as the group’s chair, with South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie as vice chair.

Barrington Township Supervisor Amy Nykaza served as board chair in 2019-20.

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Metra outlines plans as Chicago area begins to reopen

Posted in BACOG, METRA on May 28, 2020| Leave a Comment »

The Barrington METRA station appeared all but vacant this morning at 9:30 AM.

As Illinois and the Chicago region move toward establishing a “new normal” in the time of COVID-19, Metra is providing more details about the steps it is taking to ensure passengers will feel safe using its system.

“We know more than ever that passengers need to feel safe and confident using our service,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “We know more than ever the importance of providing a clean, hygienic experience on the platforms and on the trains. And we know more than ever the need to promote safe and healthy practices, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.”

Social distancing/train schedules

Metra will provide an opportunity for responsible physical distancing on its trains as much as and as long as possible. In general, Metra will aim for trains that are no more than about half full: one passenger per two-seater on the lower level and one passenger per every other seat on the upper level. (There will be exceptions for families or others travelling together.)

Metra will continue to use the current alternate weekday schedules (view them here) at the start of June but is adding cars to trains to make sure there is plenty of room for passengers to spread out. It will add more cars as needed. If Metra suspects there is potential for a train to become more crowded, it will try to operate an unscheduled train behind that one to aid with serving awaiting passengers, or it will start to add more scheduled trains to the line. Metra will continue to add cars and trains as ridership and travel patterns dictate.

Read the complete METRA release here.

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BACOG’s letter to Governor Pritzker about Restore Illinois plan

Posted in BACOG, Meeting Minutes, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes on May 28, 2020| Leave a Comment »

“The members of the Barrington Area Council of Governments appreciate the efforts that have gone into developing the Restore Illinois plan. Our municipal and township governments have been compliant with the Executive Orders to keep residents safe during this COVID-19 public health situation. The Executive Board and membership have concerns, however, about provisions within the Restore Illinois plan and sent the following letter to Governor Pritzker for consideration.”

A copy of the BACOG members May 15th letter to Governor JB Pritzker can be viewed and downloaded here.

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Spring Fling Girls Night Out supports scholarship

Posted in BACOG on March 12, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Enjoy appetizers, pampering services, shopping, prizes and a raffle at Spring Fling Girls Night Out from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at McGonigal’s Pub in Barrington. Hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Biz Net, the event is a fundraiser for the chamber’s Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship. Tickets are $30 and available at http://www.barringtonchamber.com.

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Biz Net will host a Spring Fling Girls Night Out from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, March 19, at McGonigal’s Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington.

Cost is $30 per person, which includes complimentary appetizers, one drink ticket, mini-pampering services, free raffle ticket, shopping and prizes. Registration begins at 5 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at www.barringtonchamber.com.

The Women’s Biz Net Spring Fling Girls Night Out event is a fundraiser for the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship, named after the chamber’s former head of communications who passed away at the age of 29 from ovarian cancer.

Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce awards several scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 each year to Barrington area senior high school students who plan to attend a college, university or technical school following graduation.

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BACOG Turns 50

Posted in BACOG, Politics, Taxes on January 9, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Janet Agnoletti (pictured third from left at a 2017 Barrington area legislative breakfast) is the executive director of BACOG

The July/August 2017 issue of Quintessential Barrington featured the story of the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. When it was formed in 1970, the villages that make up the Barrington area were relatively young in their organization. The exception was the Village of Barrington, incorporated in 1865, the landmark hub around which these newer communities gradually emerged. Barrington Hills and Deer Park incorporated in 1957; North Barrington, Lake Barrington, and South Barrington in 1959; and Tower Lakes in 1966.

While each village would develop its own character, its own sense of place, there was commonality that the location and natural resources of the entire area needed an organization to protect those resources, and provide strength in numbers to counter the pressures of burgeoning development in the northwestern suburbs.

Thus, nurtured into being by enlightened leadership from the Barrington Area Development Council, the Barrington Area Council of Governments met for the first time on April 25, 1970. The Executive Board consisted of the village presidents of the member villages. In 2004, the Council was joined by the supervisors of Barrington and Cuba Townships, representing those unincorporated areas still under county jurisdiction, and thus subject to possible incompatible development pressures.

Read the full Quintessential Barrington article here.

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Northwest suburban mayors look back on 2019

Posted in BACOG, Property Taxes, Taxes, Uncategorized, Village Government on December 31, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Every year around this time, we reach out to Northwest suburban mayors and village presidents and ask them to tell us something their community accomplished in the year gone by and something they hope to accomplish in the year ahead. Today, we share the accomplishments of 2019. On Wednesday, we’ll tell you what the mayors hope to see in 2020.

Martin McLaughlin, Barrington Hills

The Village of Barrington Hills is on track to, once again, lower the levy, making it the sixth consecutive year. Since 2013, the village Levy has been reduced by more than 24%. We will continue to lead by example, responding to our residents’ desire to see tax relief.

In 2019, the Village of Barrington Hills approved a revitalized Comprehensive Plan, which was recognized by the Barrington Area Council of Governments. The innovative format allows residents and those interested to explore the unique property rights and freedoms available within our 30-squar- mile village.

In conjunction with our continuing efforts to preserve natural habitat and open spaces, the Village of Barrington Hills has been recognized and certified as one of the first Bee Cities in Illinois, which was showcased at The Hills Are Alive Fall Festival this past September with a honey-tasting competition.

Read the full year end summary from the Daily Herald here.

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BACOG well test kits available for pickup beginning today

Posted in BACOG, Taxes on October 28, 2019| Leave a Comment »

The Barrington Area Council Of Governments will host a water testing event November 5th for Barrington-area residents who receive their water from private wells.

Households with private wells are advised to test for bacteria and nitrates on an annual basis to detect invisible, odorless contaminants. Bacteria and nitrates can result from animal or human waste or fertilizer components reaching the well water and can cause illness. 

Residents of Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes and the unincorporated areas of Barrington and Cuba townships are eligible.

Kits can be purchased for $15 between October 28th to November 1st at village and township offices of BACOG member communities. They can be dropped off between 1 and 7 PM November 5th, at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Results will be mailed to homeowners within two weeks.

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Metra customers: Be prepared for premium parking, more changes in Barrington this week

Posted in BACOG, Taxes on September 30, 2019| Leave a Comment »

An assortment of changes go into effect Tuesday for the commuter parking at Barrington’s Metra station, including higher daily fees, a new way of paying and the launch of a premium parking program.

An assortment of changes go into effect Tuesday for commuters parking at Barrington’s Metra station.

Higher daily weekday fees, more available spaces, premium parking and a new way to pay are on tap for the station that attracts commuters from Barrington and several surrounding suburbs. Officials said the changes were prompted by increased demand and a desire to provide a more equitable distribution of spots.

Among the changes: It’ll cost $3.50 per day instead of $3 to park in the north and south commuter lots. Village officials expanded the daily parking opportunities by deciding to open the south lot to everyone and no longer reserve it just for drivers from towns belonging to the Barrington Area Council of Governments.

Those seeking a daily weekday fee price break may obtain prepaid hangtags for $200 per quarter. That’ll take the daily cost down to $3.14.

The village created 67 new spaces on the north side by buying the First Church of Christ, Scientist parking lot. Officials said the daily fee hike will help cover the $625,000 cost, along with those of installing of train platform heat lamps, continuing maintenance and a planned new commuter entrance off Northwest Highway near Barrington Animal Hospital.

Read more from the Daily Herald here.

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Commuters buying “premium” parking spots in Barrington

Posted in BACOG, Ethics, Politics, Topics Of Interest on August 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »

With spots already awarded to the first wave of nearly 60 applicants, Barrington is continuing to sell newly created “premium” parking spaces located closest to the village’s Metra station.

Applications became available in late May for the premium commuter parking permit that will cost $1,200 a year per space. The reserved parking program will start Oct. 1.

“Fifty-nine spots are now sold, and all original applicants have been assigned their zones and their particular spot in that zone through a lottery system,” said Patty Dowd Schmitz, Barrington’s director of communications, marketing and events. “We are continuing to sell spots as they come in, assigning them on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Barrington also is offering commuters an opportunity for a discount from the daily rate starting Oct. 1, with a prepaid quarterly permit for a first-come, first-serve space for $200, or $800 a year. Also on Oct. 1, the daily fee will rise 50 cents to $3.50.

Read more here.

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