IL State Senate District 26 Results
IL State House District 52 Results
Related: “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes”
Archive for the ‘Unions’ Category
Bought and paid for. Not sour grapes but reality.
Posted in Barrington Education Association, Clown Car, Cost of Living, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Economy, Education, Elections, ETSB, Fat Bastard, Fools and their money, Girlie man, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, Lipstick On A Pig, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on November 4, 2026| 2 Comments »
Syed vs. Hills suburban state legislative race is one of the most expensive ever
Posted in Chicago Sun*Times, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Fat Man Walking, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Unions on November 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Republican Senator Darby Hills and Democrat Rep. Nabeela | Photos by Jerry Nowicki
Democrat Nabeela Syed is outraising Republican Darby Hills two to one in an Illinois Senate race that’s already fetched $6.5 million in contributions.
By Brett Chase | Chicago Sun*Times
Republicans are not expected to make a dent in Democrats’ supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly, but a multi-million-dollar suburban legislative race has turned into a fiery, closely watched contest in the lead-up to Election Day Tuesday.
In that race, state Rep. Nabeela Syed, a Democrat from Inverness, is challenging incumbent Republican Darby Hills of Barrington Hills for the Illinois Senate 26th District seat.
The $6.5 million raised makes it one of the most expensive contests in the history of the General Assembly, said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois.
Syed received at least $4.7 million in contributions, much of it from her party, while Hills has raised $1.8 million, said Kaplan, whose organization runs the Illinois Sunshine Database.
“The Democratic leadership wants to flip this seat, and it shows,” Kaplan said.
Syed raised more than $3 million from the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund, which is controlled by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. She’s also raised substantial amounts of money from unions.
Darby’s last big contribution from her party was in August when the Illinois Senate Republican Campaign gave her $300,000.
Report continues here.
Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin,” “Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes,” “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District” and “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”
Polls are now open
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Road construction, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on November 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »
It’s Election Day, 2026. We’re asking everyone to vote for the following with good reasons:
- Senate District 26 – Darby Hills
- Representatives District 52 – Martin McLaughlin
Our reasons to vote for Darby and Marty include:
- A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills
- Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin
- Wealth and Party Machine Are Buying the Northwest Suburbs Votes
- Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District
- Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District and
- Who really funds Nabeela Syed?
Information on where you are registered to vote today can be found here.
PLEASE VOTE!
Another sound reason for residents to vote for Hills and McLaughlin
Posted in Barrington Education Association, Chicago Tribune, Cost of Living, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Fools and their money, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on November 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
State Rep. Martin “Marty” McLaughlin and State Sen. Darby Hills are endorsed by the Chicago Tribune and a very large number of elected officials in their respective Districts.
According to their candidate campaign websites, State Senator Darby Hills and Representative Martin McLaughlin have the endorsements of the Mayors or Village Presidents in their Districts of:
Barrington Hills, Barrington, South Barrington, Lake Barrington, Port Barrington, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Libertyville, Island Lake, Volo and Wauconda.
Additionally, Hills is endorsed by the mayors of Long Grove and Tower Lakes. McLaughlin has the vote of the mayors of North Barrington, Cary and Hoffman Estates as well as former elected officials.
Contrast this with the campaign websites of Nabeela Syed and Maria Peterson, who boast the endorsements of the Mayors or Village Presidents of: Zero, Zip, Zilch and Nada!
What does this tell you? This explains exactly why Pritzker, PACs, Unions and Democrats have bankrolled their campaigns with millions of dollars in efforts to avert your attention.
Vote wisely. Vote for Marty McLaughlin and Darby Hills!
Related: “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills,” “Who really funds Nabeela Syed?”
Editorial note: The minute a list is posted, a sin of omission is likely committed. Please notify us if additions are needed.
Crucial swing voters troubled by DSA, new poll shows: ‘Souring on socialism’
Posted in Barrington Education Association, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Land Use, League of Women Voters, Look For The Union Label, New York Post, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Code on October 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Maria Peterson and Nabeela Syed | Images courtesy Facebook
By Ryan King | New York Post
Crucial swing voters have become increasingly troubled by the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America and the far-left in general — a major warning sign for Dems ahead of the midterms, a new poll shows.
When asked about their views of the DSA, 56% of respondents indicated they had an unfavorable view, up from 50% in September, according to Americans for Prosperity’s latest “Americans Unscripted” report.
Nearly 60% also felt the Democratic Party was controlled by the far left, again up from 50% in September, and 82% indicated they favor personal freedom and free markets over government control.
“Swing voters are souring on socialism — and fast,” AFP spokeswoman Katelyn Bledsoe told The Post.
“That’s a real opening for Republicans, and the candidates who show voters a credible plan to bring their costs down are in the strongest position on November 3.”
Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian-leaning policy advocacy group associated with the billionaire Koch brothers, has been leaning on its network of organizers across the country to get a pulse check. This is its last “Americans Unscripted” report before the Nov. 3 elections.
The question about the DSA was asked to about 9,000 to 10,200 people in eight states: Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Critically, the trend from September to October indicates that swing voters who will be deciding key races are increasingly turning on the far left.
“Nothing is free,” a man named Michael from Holland, Mich., told an Americans for Prosperity volunteer, according to the report. “There’s an agenda behind all these promises of free benefits.”
Report continues here.
A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills
Posted in BACOG, Capitol News Illinois, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Land Disconnection, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Plan Commission, Politics, Press Release, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Unions, Village Code, Village of Barrington, Zoning Board on October 23, 2026| 1 Comment »
Rep. McLaughlin Hosts Press Conference with Northwest Suburban Mayors – February 26, 2026 | Screenshot via Facebook
On February 18th of this year, one headline read, “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control.” The report stated his BUILD Act would (and still does):
“…drastically limit local governments’ authority to restrict the types of structures that can be built on property zoned residential.”
“Accessory dwelling units — attached or detached secondary residences such as granny flats, backyard cottages and above-garage apartments — would be legalized on all properties zoned for residential use.”
“…would establish statewide timelines for inspections and reviews and allow third-party inspectors ($$$) if municipalities miss deadlines.”
Objections to Pritzker’s plan was very quickly spearheaded by Rep. Marty McLaughlin who gathered many community leaders in a room for a press conference February 26th. The headline following that press conference read:
In recent months, Pritzker rarely speaks of the BUILD Act since he doesn’t want it to be a fatal plank in local campaigns, but it by no means has gone away! It’s just been muted until after the November 3rd elections…
Last Friday, The Center Square reported:
“Leaders in Illinois are suggesting a package of legislation aimed at increasing housing affordability and supply in the state may be kicked further down the road, after proposals stalled in May after disagreements between stakeholders.
The Building Up Illinois Developments housing plan, or BUILD, was recommended to the legislature by Gov. J.B. Pritzker early this year, but largely sat on the back burner during the last session of the assembly.
The plan is an extensive proposal that would make sweeping changes to zoning and regulations statewide, aimed at increasing supply, reducing overhead costs, and speeding up development timelines.
At an unrelated news conference Thursday, Pritzker said he thinks the housing legislation may be put aside again during the six-day fall veto session in November and December, in favor of waiting until the 105th General Assembly begins to reintroduce the initiative.
‘It’s a short session, as you know, the veto session. So, I do believe that you’re going to see that in the coming full session starting in January,’ Pritzker said.”
The same article continues:
“Multiple bills in the BUILD proposal would have to be re-introduced and go through the legislative process again in January if not passed sooner.
Pritzker said he remains committed to his end goal with the legislation.”
Pritzker views McLaughlin as a vocal stumbling block. The same is true of Hills, so the Democrats are spending literally millions in the current campaign to silence them.
If you value your property rights as a homeowner in Barrington Hills as we do, then we urge you to vote for Martin McLaughlin and Darby Hills.
For information on where, when and how to vote, click here.
Related: “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential zoning,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie provides an update of Pritzker’s proposed BUILD Act,” “Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans,” “(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers”
52nd Illinois House candidates differ on cash bail, school choice and Bears
Posted in BACOG, Daily Herald, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, Village President on October 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
The race for the 52nd District Illinois House seat is a rematch between incumbent Republican state Rep. Marty McLaughlin and Democratic challenger Maria Peterson.
McLaughlin, of Barrington Hills, beat Peterson, of North Barrington, by less than 50 votes in 2024 to hold onto his seat in the General Assembly.
The two differ on a number of issues, including school choice, the elimination of cash bail and Chicago Bears stadium proposals.
At a recent League of Women Voters forum, the candidates were asked about a new federal tax credit program for donations to organizations that award private school scholarships, created by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in 2025. Illinois has to decide whether to participate.
McLaughlin, a former village president of Barrington Hills, said “choice in all things is good, particularly education.”
He said proficiency in math and reading has dropped, while education costs have escalated and criticized state Democrats for not renewing the Invest in Kids program, which awarded tax credits for donations that funded private school scholarships.
The two also disagree over the state’s elimination of cash bail.
McLaughlin said it has created significant problems with repeat offending and public confidence in the criminal justice system.
“In the 52nd District, we have experienced concerns involving robberies, residential and commercial burglaries, vehicle thefts, car break-ins and smash-and-grab incidents,” he wrote in reply to a Daily Herald questionnaire.
The full report can be found here.
Equestrian/Riding Club Commission meets tonight
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Audio recordings, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Crime, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, HARPS, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on October 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian/Riding Club Commission will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
- [Vote] Minutes – September 1, 2026 (Item left blank)
- Horse/Large Animal Disaster Preparedness Plan – Discussion
A copy of the agenda and Zoom link can be found here.
Barrington High School’s Polling Place Appears to Be Missing from the Notices the Law Requires
Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Barrington High School, Board of Education, CBS News, Cook, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, FOIA, FUBAR, Guest Essay, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on October 16, 2026| 6 Comments »
Image courtesy 10.14.26 Barrington 220 School District Facebook post
A follow-up to “A Polling Place for Some”
The law requires certain actions before any early voting site can operate, including official lists that are supposed to show the public where and when it can vote. Barrington High School isn’t on any of them.
What the law requires
Illinois’ early voting statute, 10 ILCS 5/19A-25, is short and clear. The election authority, here the Cook County Clerk, must:
- publish, in a newspaper of general circulation, during the week before early voting and at least once a week during it, a schedule listing every permanent and temporary early voting location and the dates and hours of each (subsection (a));
- post that schedule at every early voting location, starting no later than 10 days before early voting begins (subsection (b));
- make free copies of the schedule available to the public (subsection (c));
- put the schedule on its website (subsection (d)); and
- give the State Board of Elections a list of all early voting sites and their hours at least 10 days before early voting begins (subsection (f)).
Subsection (e) covers sites added after the schedule is published:
“Additional temporary locations may be established after the schedule is published, provided that the location is open to all eligible voters. The location, dates, and hours shall be reported to the State Board of Elections and posted on the election authority’s website.”
Open to all eligible voters, reported to the State Board, and posted on the Clerk’s website. From what we’ve been able to determine, Barrington High’s site fails each of these on the public record.
Not on the Clerk’s website
The Cook County Clerk’s Early Voting Locations page on October 15, 2026, the day after the District announced the BHS voting site, says limited early voting for the November 3 election began October 7 at six Vote Centers, and that expanded early voting begins October 19 at 56 suburban locations. The page lists courthouses, village halls, libraries, community centers, and a few college and school campuses, all open to the public. It does not list Barrington High School, and it does not mention a high school early voting day. https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote/early-voting/early-voting-locations
The District posted on October 14 that BHS hosted the site “today.” On that date, according to the Clerk’s own page, early voting in suburban Cook County was limited to six sites: the Clerk’s downtown office and the courthouses in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham. The nearest public site for a Barrington voter was the Rolling Meadows courthouse. The site at BHS appears nowhere on the public schedule.
Not on the State Board of Elections’ list
Similarly, Barrington High School is not on the State Board of Elections’ list of 2026 General Election early voting locations for Cook County, which is built from what election authorities report under subsections (e) and (f). The only Barrington-area entry is Barrington Hills Village Hall, 112 Algonquin Road, which doesn’t open until October 19. https://www.elections.il.gov/votingandregistrationsystems/earlyvotinglocationssearch.aspx
Not open to all eligible voters
By the District’s own description, the site was for “eligible BHS students and staff who are Cook County voters.” A Cook County retiree living down the street from the school, a veteran, a parent: none of them were invited, and none of them could have known to come, because the BHS site wasn’t on any schedule. That is the opposite of “open to all eligible voters.”
The Clerk’s own training materials make the same point. The 2026 High School Early Voting Handbook, which the Clerk’s Office prepared for the student election judges, opens by stating the general rule: “A suburban Cook County registered voter can vote early at any of the suburban Cook County Early Voting sites.” Nothing in the Handbook says a high school site may be limited to the school’s own students and staff.
And, the Handbook is no rulebook for this fall’s General Election sites. Its cover reads “2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election,” and its calendar lists a “Primary High School Early Voting Day” of February 26, 2026, but no high school voting day for the November 3 General Election. As far as the public record shows, the high school sites that operated this October were run without any published procedures specific to them. https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/hs-ev-handbook-2026.pdf
Image courtesy 10.14.26 Barrington 220 School District Facebook post
What about pollwatchers?
In fairness, the Handbook doesn’t bar pollwatchers. However, the Handbook never mentions a fall high school voting day. The Handbook advises judges that credentialed pollwatchers, media and exit pollsters may enter the site for the Primary Election. And, in fact, the media seems to have been made aware of the polling as there is coverage from CBS on Cook County “transform(ing) 27 suburban high schools into early voting sites for a ‘Teen Takeover for Democracy’ event … transform(ing) high schools into early voting sites to help eligible students vote.” https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cook-county-high-schools-early-voting-students/
But a right to observe means little if no one (except CBS) knows where or when to show up. A pollwatcher’s credential has to name the specific early voting site. If a site isn’t on the Clerk’s schedule, isn’t on the State Board’s list, and is announced by the school district only on the day it happens, no party, candidate, or civic group can realistically get a credential for it and get through the door of a secured school building. The Handbook says nothing about how an outside pollwatcher is supposed to get into a high school during the school day.
Questions the Clerk should answer
We’re not mind readers, and there may be an explanation. If so, the Clerk’s Office should give it publicly:
- Under what legal authority did the BHS site operate, and was it treated as an early voting location under Article 19A?
- If it was a temporary location, why isn’t it on the Clerk’s website or the State Board’s list, as subsection (e) requires?
- Was it ever included in the published newspaper schedule or posted at the site, as subsections (a) and (b) require?
- Was it open to any eligible Cook County voter who showed up? If not, how is that consistent with “open to all eligible voters”?
- Which other high schools hosted sites this fall, on what dates, and how many ballots were cast at each?
- What is the Chicago Bears’ role in the “Defenders of DA’mocracy” program, and will the Clerk release the agreement?
These aren’t partisan questions. The notice rules in 19A-25 protect every voter and every campaign equally. They exist so that no one, whether the Clerk, a school district, or anyone else, can set up a polling place that only the privileged few know about.
Perhaps a Freedom of Information Act request to District 220 and the Cook County Clerk’s Office for the published early voting schedules and newspaper notices, the reports to the State Board of Elections, the list of high school sites and dates for this election, and any agreement with the Chicago Bears would provide some insight.
Related: “A Polling Place for Some: Barrington High School’s Invitation-Only Early Voting”
Endorsement: McLaughlin for Illinois House Dist. 52
Posted in Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Commodius Maximus, Cost of Living, Daily Herald, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, League of Women Voters, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Code on October 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills spoke out in February against Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control of residential zoning rules in a news conference in South Barrington. Flanking him were Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine, left, and South Barrington Mayor Paula McCombie. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Daily Herald Editorial Board
In District 52, incumbent Republican Martin McLaughlin brings a lengthy Springfield record focused on fiscal responsibility. We endorsed him in 2020 for his energy and resourcefulness, in 2022 for his measured approach to state government and in 2024 as a steadfast voice for controlled spending. Democratic challenger Maria Peterson emphasizes lower costs for working families, affordable housing, gun-violence prevention, health care and tax changes. While Peterson is a strong candidate, McLaughlin’s experience and focus on fiscal restraint and oversight continue to make him the stronger choice. McLaughlin is endorsed.
Endorsement can be seen here.
Related: “Editorial: Martin McLaughlin for Illinois 52nd House District” – Chicago Tribune
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Super lame on On 1st day since winning 3rd t… Barrington Insider on Bought and paid for. Not sour… Timehastold on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… timewilltell on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… Brad on Bought and paid for. Not sour… Timehastold on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… You’re a gullible fo… on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… Recently Viewed Posts
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