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District 220 board members approve policy update on political activities

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, Conflict of interest, Daily Herald, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Fundraisers, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Organizations, Politics, Property Taxes, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on October 13, 2026| 6 Comments »

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

In the wake of four (4) school board members coming under investigation, Barrington Area Unit School District 220 has updated a key policy governing political activity by elected officials.

The update, approved by board members last week, allows board members seeking elected office to mention District 220 or use incidental photos of district property in campaign materials, but only as long as they don’t suggest a district endorsement.

“Not to say that the prior policy wasn’t great, but this, I think, clarifies a lot of things,” board member Steve Wang said.

The policy update comes after board member Erin Chan Ding was found to have violated district policies by using school resources, property and social media for prohibited political campaign activities related to her campaign for the Illinois House.

Fellow board members Leah Collister-Lazzari and Barry Altshuler also violated policies by posting images of students, district property and the district’s chess piece logo on campaign social media sites during their 2023 runs for school board.

School board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford was investigated and cleared of wrongdoing regarding a photo of her in front of Barrington High School that appeared in a news article related to the 2025 election.

The board next will be examining its ethics and gift ban policies, officials said

Report continues here.

Related: ““District 220 board members violated campaign policies, investigation finds,” “Proposed Policy Change Would Strip Anonymous Formal Grievances in Barrington District 220,” “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency” and “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’”

 

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Population loss could cost Illinois a second seat in Congress under Pritzker

Posted in Blame Canada, Clown Car, Commodius Maximus, Contests, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Outmigration, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes on October 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Data suggest the state is on pace to lose a U.S. representative in 2030.

By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois is on pace to lose its second congressional seat because of population loss under Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Since Pritzker was elected in 2018, Illinois has lost more than 168,000 residents. In a recent poll of Illinois voters, more than half said they would leave the state if given the opportunity.

Of those who would leave, almost 69% cited taxes as a top one or two issue facing Illinois. In 2024, 95% of those leaving Illinois fled to states with lower tax burdens.

Pritzker entered office as Illinois was already struggling with outmigration. He identified reversing it as a goal in his 2019 economic plan.

Nearly eight years later, that has not happened.

Illinois lost a congressional seat after the 2020 census, continuing a decades-long decline in the state’s representation in Washington. Illinois has lost 10 U.S. House seats since 1910, falling from 27 to 17.

Now past the halfway point in the decade, census data suggest that Illinois is on pace to lose another House seat in the reapportionment after the 2030 census.

In 2030, a decennial census will tally the state’s population and determine how congressional seats are distributed nationwide. Despite small population increases from 2023 to 2025 because of international migration, Illinois has lost residents overall under Pritzker’s administration. Also, international migration to Illinois is declining while the state continues to struggle with outmigration.

Read more here.

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Pritzker record: Illinois 5th-worst for private-sector job growth

Posted in Clown Car, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Elections, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order on September 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Illinois is in the bottom five states for private-sector job growth under Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Since he took office, job growth in the private sector in the state is up less than 0.1%.

By Adam Gorcyca | Illinois Policy Institute

Under Gov. J.B. Pritzker, private-sector job growth in Illinois has remained virtually flat while the nation has seen growth.

Illinois’ private-sector job growth is in the bottom five states. Such jobs grew by less than 0.1% from 2018 to 2025 in Illinois, compared with a national rate of over 6%.

In the three years after the pandemic, the number of businesses leaving Illinois tripled, including  Caterpillar and Citadel moving their headquarters out of the state.

Some will absolve Pritzker of responsibility on this metric and point toward the overarching trend of lagging Midwestern job growth. That ignores the fact that the number of private-sector jobs in the rest of the Midwest grew 2.7 times faster than in Illinois.

Read more here.

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Chicago-area police officers investigated for misusing Flock camera searches for personal use

Posted in ABC7 Chicago, Big Brother, Clown Car, Ethics, Flock Cameras, Police Reports, Privacy, Public Safety, Transparency on August 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Mark Rivera and Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Tom Jones | ABC7

Amidst growing outcry and mounting privacy concerns over misuse of powerful police surveillance technology, the ABC7 I-Team found multiple Chicago-area law enforcement agencies are now investigating their own officers for unauthorized use of the location tracking software.

From tracking ex-romantic partners to searching a former employer, at least two agencies have now forwarded cases of their officers misusing Flock Safety license plate reading technology to county prosecutors for review of possible criminal charges.

The I-Team filed 130 public records requests with local law enforcement agencies across Illinois and Indiana for internal investigation reports into misuse of FLOCK automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras and others that can track a person’s location in real time.

Responses are continuing to come in but have already revealed cases of misuse.

In Prairie Grove, Police Chief Michael Goins said he discovered one of his officers had conducted hundreds of Flock camera searches, but not for any official purpose.

Goins said Officer William Copp was searching “ex-spouses, ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends of current girlfriends, people that had some sort of domestic relationship with him… One individual was searched approximately 140 times.”

Goins said he acted quickly and Copp was arrested and charged in McHenry County with official misconduct.

Prairie Grove is not alone.

The I-Team found at least 10 examples of local area law enforcement agencies investigating their own officers for misusing Flock and other license plate reading technology.

Report continues here.

Related: Some recent Daily Herald reports-

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‘Not 1984’: Flock cameras watching millions of Americans spark bipartisan revolt

Posted in AI, Big Brother, Cell Towers, Clown Car, Data Center, Deception, Flock Cameras, Fox News, One Barrington Hills, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Transparency, VBHPD on August 26, 2026| 1 Comment »

A pigeon perches on a Flock Safety camera, mounted high on a traffic signal pole at the intersection of Chapman Avenue & Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove, Calif., on Aug. 14, 2026. | Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

By Elizabeth Elkind, Alex Miller | Fox News

There’s a new frontier in the national privacy debate that’s uniting people on the right and left, and it’s a tool that millions of Americans encounter every day without even realizing it.

Automatic license plate reader (ALPR) companies have been brought under scrutiny by lawmakers in Washington as privacy hawks warn that the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is testing the bounds of what ALPR devices can legally learn about drivers on the road.

One company in particular, Flock Safety, has been taking hits in the media and political sphere as news of Flock cameras’ misuse — and occasional success — dominates headlines.

“There’s cameras everywhere, people know that, but if law enforcement has the ability to monitor the comings and goings of citizens, I think that’s wrong. I mean, we’re not the CCP, we’re not 1984 and an Orwellian society, and Americans have rights,” Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital.

LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS ARE TRACKING DRIVERS EVERYWHERE

He pointed to a recent incident in his district where a now-former Sarasota police officer was fired and arrested after being accused of misusing Flock camera technology, using it to spy on one particular license plate over 300 times.

FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS NEED CONSTITUTIONAL GUARDRAILS BEFORE FURTHER DEPLOYMENT, TENNESSEE MAYOR ARGUES

“I don’t think you’re gonna be able to stop these cameras from being out there, but at the very least, there should be some type of legal parameters put in place to protect people’s Fourth Amendment rights,” he said.

ALPRs automatically capture and analyze vehicle and location data on public roads without drivers’ consent. Supporters have argued that it’s a critical tool for public safety that only collects minimal information, while opponents labeled it an alarming expansion of the mass surveillance state.

LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS AT HOME DEPOT AND LOWE’S SPARK PRIVACY FEARS

Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital, “These cameras are well beyond an automated license plate reader today. AI has made them so capable that they are now capable of facial recognition, of seeing what you’re doing inside your car. So it’s well beyond the license plate reader…that’s the problem. Technology has moved these beyond just looking at the back of a car.”

On the other side of the aisle, a spokesperson for progressive Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., pointed Fox News Digital to her recent comments responding to news that Flock was updating its oversight standards. Ramirez wrote on X, “Private tech companies have amassed record-breaking profits off our pain and the use of technology for mass surveillance is a threat to our democracy, civil liberties, and privacy. Congress must stop the ever-expanding surveillance state.”

The debate even exploded onto the campaign trail ahead of November’s midterm elections, where ALPRs join AI data centers as Big Tech’s big boogeymen.

Article continues here.

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Village Board of Trustees meet tonight

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Clown Car, Economy, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Flock Cameras, Heritage and Environs Committee, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lennie, One Barrington Hills, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on August 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM.

The only item of significance on their agenda appears to be recognition of William Walsh for 33 years of service. A copy of their agenda, including info on listening to the meeting, can be viewed and downloaded here.

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Pritzker defends 57% toll hike approved by board he appointed

Posted in Appointments, Clown Car, Deception, Elections, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 25, 2026| 1 Comment »

The governor also tried to distance himself from the increases by pointing to the board — which he appointed.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker both defended the toll hikes that were approved last week and sought to distance himself from them.

Pritzker appointed all eight Illinois Tollway board members who signed off unanimously on the increases, which include the largest passenger hike in state history.

Asked about the rate increases last week at the Illinois State Fair, Pritzker said they were necessary to ensure Illinois has proper road infrastructure to keep the state competitive for commercial activity.

“Let’s be clear. We want to make sure that our roads are pothole-free, that we’re making sure to build more so we can build our economy across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

He also defended the hikes in June at an unrelated event.

“It’s something that they need to do in order to make sure that we have the best roads, the best infrastructure, and I think that’s something that you may overlook may when you contemplate why they would consider this,” Pritzker said.

But also at the fair, he said, “That was something voted on by the tollway authority.”

Under Illinois law, the governor appoints the nine-member tollway board (it’s currently eight members) and serves as an ex-officio member along with the state Transportation Secretary.

Pritzker and the transportation secretary did not vote.

Report continues here.

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76% of online comments oppose proposed toll hikes

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Clown Car, Cost of Living, Deception, Fat Bastard, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on August 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Illinois Tollway board is slated to vote on the proposal this week.

By Ethan Soifer | Illinois Policy Institute

Online public commenters overwhelmingly oppose proposed Illinois Tollway hikes slated for a vote this week.

Out of nearly 13,750 online comments received from June 18 to Aug. 3, about 10,500 oppose the proposal, 2,250 support it, and 1,000 were neutral. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained the results via a Freedom of Information Act request.

The public comment period has closed, but you can still let the board and Gov. J.B. Pritzker know you oppose the hike here.

The tollway board will likely approve the largest passenger toll hike in Illinois history at its Aug. 19 meeting. The plan would increase fees by 57% for passengers, costing a commuter who passes through two tolls a day for 50 weeks $225 more in 2027.

Commercial vehicles would pay 30% more, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.

Starting in 2029, automatic inflation-linked increases would be imposed every two years without additional board votes.

Report continues here.

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District 220 Board of Education meets tonight

Posted in 220, Agendas, Animal Welfare, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Snowflake Effect, The New Normal?, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on August 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

CUSD 220 Board members Barry “Dr. No” Altshuler and Leah “Honey Bunny” Collister-Lazzari were found to have violated board policies last month in their 2023 campaigns for their board seats. Earlier this year, the Board also twice determined member Erin Chan Ding violated board policies as a result of her 2025 campaign. Who’s next?

The District 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:

  • FOIA Reports
  • Personnel Report
  • Consideration to Approve Second Reading of Board Policy: 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
  • Consideration to Approve BSEO Contract
  • Consideration to Approve the Release of Confidentiality of Closed Session Minutes: July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
  • Consideration to Approve the Destruction of Verbatim Recordings: January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023
  • Consideration to Approve Terms of IGA for Proposed Village of South Barrington Higgins Corridor TIF District
  • Intentional Use of Technology
  • 2026-27 Tentative Budget
  • First Reading of Board Policy
    • 2:105 Ethics and Gift Ban
    • 8:25 Advertising and Distributing Materials in Schools Provided by Non-School Related Entities
  • Proposed Village of South Barrington Higgins Corridor TIF District

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live streamed on the district YouTube channel.

Related: “District 220 board members violated campaign policies, investigation finds,” “Proposed Policy Change Would Strip Anonymous Formal Grievances in Barrington District 220,” “Reminder: CUSD 220 Board of Education meeting tonight,” “CUSD 220 Board delivers second (slappier) slap on the wrist to member Erin Chan Ding,” “CUSD 220 Board of Education public comments we applaud,” “Special District 220 Board of Education meeting Monday,” “Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job,” “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency” and “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’”

 

 

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PUBLIC NOTICE: Election for Park District (Riding Club) Commissioner-Candidate Filing Information

Posted in Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Red, Clown Car, Commercial Horse Boarding, Cook, Countryside Elementary School, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lake, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Massbach Hounds, McHenry, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOS Party, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions, Your Barrington Hills on August 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

PUBLIC NOTICE

Consolidated Election to be held April 6, 2027

To The Residents of The Barrington Hills Park District Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties, Illinois

Elections will be held to fill the following office:  Park District Commissioner

Number of positions: Three (3)  

All positions are for a four-year term

The candidate services provided here will assist prospective candidates locate the information and forms required to run for office.

Information contained within this section is for informational purposes only. Candidates are advised to seek appropriate legal counsel for any campaign issues. 

Candidates must file their certificates of nomination with the Barrington Hills Park District designated representative.

Petition Circulation Period: August 25, 2026 – November 23, 2026. Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to August 25, 2026

The filing of nomination petitions will be accepted at 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills IL 60010, in the Riding Center’s Meeting Room, November 16, 2026 through Monday November 23, 2026.  Office Hours will be posted here and on the online calendar.

Petitions may be filed in person by the candidate, a representative, or by mail to: Barrington Hills Park District, 364 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills, IL 60010. Nomination papers received in the mail before the first day of filing period will be returned to the sender as not filed.

Candidate’s Guide

Petition Documents:

Nonpartisan Petition Form (Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to August 25, 2026)
Statement of Candidacy: Nonpartisan
Loyalty Oath (optional):
Statement of Economic Interests: Filed with the Cook County Clerk. See page 22 in the Candidate’s Guide regarding filing the receipt.
Fair Campaign Practices Act (voluntary): Filed with the State Board of Elections.,

Source

 

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