Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Brother, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Financial Statements, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Disconnection, Lighting Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Perjury, Plum Farm development, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, WTF on February 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 7:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Entertainment, Illinois Policy Institute, Resident Spotlights on November 29, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees have been the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.
By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute
Illinoisans have an extra reason to “shop small” on Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday: “mom and pop” shops have been the engine behind the state’s job recovery from the COVID-19 economic downturn. They deserve a “thank you.”
Businesses with fewer than 20 employees have been the only firms to add jobs on net since the onset of the pandemic, accounting for the creation of nearly 110,000 jobs. Meanwhile, firms of all other sizes have yet to restore employment to pre-pandemic levels and remain more than 84,000 jobs below early 2020 levels combined, according to Census Bureau data.
In 2023 alone, businesses with fewer than 20 employees were responsible for creating nearly 31,000 jobs – 74% of the job creation in the state. The state’s largest businesses with 500 or more employees shed more than 17,500 jobs.
While small businesses have been responsible for virtually all net job growth in recent years, their contributions to the Illinois economy are nothing new. In the decade prior to the pandemic, small businesses were the leading job creator in the state. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees were responsible for 64% of the state’s job growth. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees alone created 57% – nearly 312,000 – of the net new jobs.
What is a new development for Illinois’ small businesses and their employees is the impressive wage growth they have experienced in recent years. Historically, wage growth among small businesses has lagged the statewide average and those of larger businesses. This hasn’t been the case in recent years. From 2023-2024, employee wage growth at businesses with fewer than 50 employees was 32% faster than the statewide average, or 3.8% compared to 2.8% statewide. This was higher than for employees of larger businesses. Average wage growth among firms with 500 or more employees was 3.6%, while businesses with 50-499 employees experienced no wage growth on average.
Read on here.
Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Brother, BraveHearts, Cell Towers, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Financial Statements, FPDCC, FRVPC, FUBAR, Fundraisers, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Disconnection, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cows, Mówimy po polsku, Open Meetings Act, Perjury, Politics, Privacy, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Taxes, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on October 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will be holding an Efficiency Act Meeting beginning at 6:00 PM followed by the Park Board Meeting (though only one agenda is posted?). Some topics on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Elections, Politics on October 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Come hear first-hand updates from local and state officials on issues affecting our communities at the annual Barrington Area Legislative Breakfast.
Registration, networking, coffee and pastries at 8:00 am; Program begins at 8:30 am. Price to attend is $15 per person. Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Dr., Sullivan Room, Barrington, IL.
Register here.
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, DARCHED, Entertainment, Organizations, Politics, Topics Of Interest on October 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Village of Barrington posted the following last night of Facebook:
“Don’t miss the fun events happening in Barrington tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 5!
𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Memorial Park (Hough St. & Lincoln Ave.)
Bring the family for pumpkin painting, scarecrow decorating, face painting, balloon artistry, music by Bob the DJ, and more! Free hot dogs and chips while supplies last.
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻! 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀, 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲
2 p.m. – Barrington’s White House (145 W. Main St.)
Meet nearly 30 plein air artists and view their creations at this free event. For more details, visit www.barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.
𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀: Barrington’s White House is a stop on the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC)‘s Fall Wine Walk! For tickets, visit www.barringtonchamber.com.”
Tickets are still available at the time of this posting.
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Entertainment, Topics Of Interest on June 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Village of Barrington President Karen Darch
Fourth of July Festivities and Remembering Carol Beese
What a wonderful turnout to last week’s Metra Lot Concert: Dancing Queen – An ABBA salute. So many neighbors came out to enjoy a beautiful evening outdoors listening to the energetic ABBA tribute band. I hope you will join us at the next three Metra Lot Concerts, including Blooze Brothers on Wednesday, July 3.
It’s the end of June, which means it’s time to gear up for one of my favorite holidays—July 4th! Each year, Barrington’s Fourth of July celebrations bring our community together in the most patriotic way, and this year promises to be no different.
We have an exciting lineup of events planned for next week, with the guide to this year’s celebration listed below and on the Village’s website. Highlights include the Concert in the Park with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, fireworks, Metra Lot Concert, Family Fitness Run, parade, Barrington’s White House concert, and the return of the Barrington Lions Club Brat Tent featuring food and music. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
As we think about enjoying community, I would like to take a moment to remember Carol Beese, who passed away earlier this month in Edina, MN. Carol was a Barrington resident for 57 years, during which time she made significant contributions to the community. For 32 years, Carol served as President and Executive Director of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the chamber grew from 50 to 760 members, marking a substantial impact on local businesses. Carol’s dedication extended beyond her professional role; she was a member of numerous boards and organizations. One of her biggest pleasures was seeing the development of Ron Beese Park, an 80-acre park named in honor of her late husband, Ronald E. Beese. Carol’s legacy of service and community engagement continues to inspire those who knew her – my condolences to the Beese family and all who loved her.
I look forward to seeing you around town at the festivities. Happy birthday, America!
Karen Darch
Village President
Related: “Carol Meyn Beese | December 17, 1930 – June 6, 2024”
Posted in 220, Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Barrington United Methodist Church, Board of Education, Community Alerts, Harper College, School Districts on June 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Carol Bee
“Carol Meyn Beese, age 93, of Edina, MN, formerly of Barrington, IL, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024. Preceded in death by her parents Rudy and Lucile Meyn, and husband Ronald E. Beese, she is survived by her loving sister Suzanne Froberg, daughter Lorena Beese (Homme Hellinga) of Durham, NC, son Mark Beese (Karen) of Edina, MN, and grandchildren Carolyn Brewster (Danny), Kristin Gorge (Alec), Lauren Beese, and Robert Hellinga.
Carol was born on December 17, 1930, in Maywood, IL. She attended Proviso High School, DePauw University and Notre Dame University. She married Ron Beese on February 13, 1954, the love of her life. They moved to Barrington, IL in 1956 to begin their family.
Carol Beese was devoted to her family, bringing them together from across the country for singing, stories, and laughter every holiday season. Carol loved music, chocolate, the color red, leading adventures abroad, and family expeditions to National Parks. She brought joy with her wherever she went. She had a remarkable talent for knowing exactly what to say to make someone feel welcome, appreciated, and loved.
Carol also was devoted to her community in Barrington, Illinois. For 57 years she served on boards for numerous organizations including the Buehler YMCA, William Rainey Harper College, Family Service of South Lake County, the Council on Aging, Barrington Area Arts Council, Barrington Park District, First Federal of Barrington, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Barrington school district 220, and the Barrington Volunteer Bureau. Carol was also a beloved active member of the Barrington United Methodist church and Rotary Club. One of her biggest passions was shaping the development of Ron Beese Park, an 80 acre Barrington park named in honor of her late husband.
Carol acted as a role model paving the way for women looking to make a difference professionally in business and community service. She became the President and Executive Director of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce and was one of the pioneering women in this field, at local, state and national levels. For 32 years, she guided the growth of the Barrington Chamber from 50 to 760 business and professional members. She was a director of the Illinois State Chamber, served on the Board of Regents for the U.S. Chamber Institute, and was a member of the U.S Chamber of Commerce Advisory Committee. In 1995 Carol was named Illinois chamber executive of the year. Upon her retirement, the Governor of the State of Illinois proclaimed December 8, 2000, to be CAROL BEESE DAY in Illinois. She received the Illinois Woman of Achievement Award in 2001.
Post-retirement Carol continued to be active in the community, serving on advisory boards and volunteering for Rotary projects. Carol moved to Edina, Minnesota in 2016 to be closer to family.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at Meetinghouse Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN, Wednesday, June 26, 11 am.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carol Meyn Beese please visit our Sympathy Store.”
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Entertainment on June 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Get ready to sip, savor and stroll through downtown Barrington at the first Barrington Bourbon and Brew Crawl, hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 13, from 1 to 5 p.m., for an afternoon of delights, entertainment and local charm.
Participants will embark on a flavorful journey, sampling specialty bourbons and local brews at 16 unique stops throughout the charming streets of downtown Barrington. This event offers the perfect opportunity to explore local shops, meet fellow enthusiasts and enjoy live music along the way. Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado, a craft beer lover, or simply looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, the Barrington Bourbon and Brew Crawl promises an experience like no other.
Tickets for this exclusive event are $35 and can be purchased in advance. Attendees must be 21 or older, and all IDs will be checked at registration. Check-in begins promptly at 1 p.m., at Scratch Pastificio, 135 Park Ave., in Barrington. From there, participants will receive their event maps and tasting passports, guiding them through a delightful exploration of specialty bourbons and local brews.
“This event is not just about a tasting experience; it’s about celebrating and supporting our vibrant local community,” said BACC President/CEO Suzanne Corr. “The Bourbon and Brew Crawl is a fantastic way to discover the unique shops and businesses that make Barrington special, all while enjoying a festive atmosphere.”
Don’t miss out on this spirited adventure. Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure yours soon and prepare for an unforgettable experience at the Barrington Bourbon and Brew Crawl.
For information and to purchase tickets, visit BarringtonChamber.com
Come for the bourbon and brews, stay for the fun, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the wonderful shops and local businesses in Barrington.
Bourbon & Brew Crawl stops include:
1924 Fine Men’s Salon, Estate Jewelers LTD, Grand Frame, M.J. Miller & Co., One Girl, Skin Wellness by Renee, Tootsies Women’s & Children’s Shoes, Cook Street Coffee, French N. 75 Maison, Long & Co. Jewelers, Neoteca, Savvy Spirit Women’s Clothing & Shoes, The Barn, Vin Chicago, and Yogasix.
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, One Barrington Hills, The Barrington Scoop, Village President on February 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Courtesy The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce/The Barrington Scoop
The Barrington Scoop recently posted, “A summary of ‘NEW’ highlights that were shared,” on their Facebook page from yesterday’s Economic Summit, and they included Barrington Hills as part of that post as seen below. To view their entire posting, click here.
Courtesy The Barrington Scoop
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