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Archive for the ‘Dinky’ Category

‘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”

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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”

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GOP Sen. Darby Hills Hid During Crucial Sanctuary Vote Blocking ICE From Schools, Hospitals, and Courthouses — The Only Republican Who Didn’t Vote NO

Posted in Dinky, Elections, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, RINO, Springfield on December 13, 2025| 2 Comments »

By Illinois Review

Illinois Republicans have warned for years that their greatest weakness isn’t always Democrats – it’s the lack of courage within their own caucus. And few episodes illustrate that better than what happened on October 30, 2025, when freshman State Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, walked off the Senate floor and hid during the most consequential immigration vote of the year.

Multiple lawmakers, staffers, and lobbyists share the same story: as debate closed on House Bill 1312 – the Safety and Liberation Together (SALT) Act – Hills abruptly left the Senate chamber. Witnesses say she ducked into the bathroom. Others say she fled down the hallway. But the outcome is undeniable: when the vote was called, she was gone.

While every single Republican senator voted NO, Darby Hills alone was recorded as “NV” – No Vote. She was the only GOP legislator who failed to stand against the largest sanctuary expansion in Illinois history.

Hills returned to the Senate floor only after the clock had stopped and voting had officially ended. She missed the vote – yet reappeared just moments too late to be held publicly accountable.

That is how she earned the nickname now spreading around Springfield: “Hiding Hills.”

More here.

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Nightmare on Main and Hough Streets begins Monday with Route 14 closure

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Dinky, EJ&E/Canadian National, Elections, Politics, RINO, Road construction, Springfield, Traffic on September 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Appointed State Senate Darby Hills seized the opportunity for a photo op celebrating the groundbreaking of the US Route 14 Grade Separation on April 23rd. Last week, Hills submitted her letter of resignation as Trustee for the Village of Barrington Hills effective September 1st.

Temporary Full Route 14 Closure Starting Monday, 9/15

“Please be advised that Route 14 will be fully closed from north of Valencia Road (Ave) to Hough Street beginning Monday, Sept. 15. The work is part of the Route 14 underpass project. The temporary closure, expected to last approximately four weeks, will allow Canadian National Railway to complete the temporary railroad tracks and shift train traffic. Once the railroad work is completed and the gap in the temporary roadway is constructed, Route 14 will reopen to full four-lane traffic on the temporary roadway.

Detour routes will be clearly marked with signage along Hough Street (Route 59) and Main Street (Lake Cook Road) starting Monday morning, Sept. 15. Please reference the combined traffic and detour map below and attached.

Note that all local businesses, including the Barrington Area Library, will remain open and accessible during the closure. Shorely Drive local access will also be maintained for residents.

Please:

  • Follow posted detours
  • Plan for extra travel time
  • Drive cautiously
  • Avoid speeding and distracted driving

If you have not already done so, please consider signing up for Route 14 project update emails on the dedicated project website.”

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Dual School Board and State Rep Positions Legally Incompatible 

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, FOIA, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, New Normal?, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, RINO, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Village Board, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on August 29, 2025| 5 Comments »

Following our recent posts Ding In Her Own Words – CONFLICTED! and D220 Abuses Taxpayer Funds in favor of Partisan Campaign we understand some believe Erin Chan Ding has the right to sit dually on both the D220 Board of Education (BOE) and as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 52nd District. This is unequivocally false (and we didn’t need to consult any high paid lawyers on the taxpayer dime to figure that out).

While a person may be able to serve certain government positions dually, say Village of Barrington Hills Trustee simultaneously with Illinois State Senator for the 26th District, Illinois law recognizes that certain positions, including that of serving on a School Board and as a member of the House of Representatives, are deemed legally incompatible under Illinois law. Illinois law holds that the duties of those two offices conflict such that an individual cannot fully and faithfully perform the responsibilities of both. Illinois courts have applied this doctrine to prevent dual officeholding in cases where conflicts of interest or overlapping duties arise and have emphasized that incompatibility does not require an actual conflict but rather the potential for conflict between the duties of the two offices.

The duties of a school board member involve overseeing local education policies, budgets, and contracts, while a state representative is responsible for broader legislative functions, including education funding and policy at the state level. These overlapping responsibilities could create conflicts of interest, particularly in matters where state legislation impacts local school districts. Even if no actual conflict has arisen, the potential for conflict is sufficient to render dual officeholding incompatible.

One may look to the very partisan League of Women Voters who has previously provided context for this conflict, stating: “Recusal is not a sufficient remedy where two public offices have conflicting duties because public officials are elected to be the voice of the citizens and abstaining from a vote deprives the citizens of their voices. Also, public policy demands that an office holder must discharge his duties with the actuality of impartiality and undivided loyalty. Such conflicts of duty are public conflicts and cannot be cured by recusal. However, private conflicts of interests may be cured by recusal.”

To put this in perspective related to our prior posts about BOE Member Chan Ding,: She is currently violating her Oath of Office and the BOE Code of Conduct; BOE President Ficke-Bradford has effectively silenced Chan Ding, depriving the citizens of her voice, by removing her from the majority of her BOE committees; and, Chan Ding’s run for the 52nd has additionally raised the specter of partiality to the Democratic Party and divided loyalty between it and the BOE.

Related: “D220 Abuses Taxpayer Funds in favor of Partisan Campaign,” “Ding In Her Own Words – CONFLICTED!,” “District 220 Board of Education meets this evening (07.15.25)” “Ding Doubles Down,” “Ding’s D220 Deception,” “Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd,” “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

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Village Board of Trustees meet tonight

Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Barrington High School, Building Department, Clown Car, Conflict of interest, Dinky, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Traffic, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on August 25, 2025| 3 Comments »

The “Cecola Room” depicted in planned $328,500 Village Hall renovations.

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

A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

Related: “‘It is an enclave’: Developer defends concept of gated community on former PepsiCo site in Barrington,” “Barrington Plan Commission Public Hearing regarding proposed 88 single-family home development at former PepsiCo site continues Tuesday,” “Barrington luxury home proposal draws criticism from plan commissioners, residents, park district,” “Barrington Plan Commission Public Hearing tomorrow night regarding planned 88 single-family residential homes at former PepsiCo site,” “Barrington posts further information on proposed Claremont development,” “Barrington posts Public Hearing notice regarding proposed 88 home development at former PepsiCo site,” “88 custom home development planned for former PepsiCo Research & Development Center property in Barrington”

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Village Board of Trustees meet tonight

Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Clown Car, County, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Going green, Heritage and Environs Committee, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Disconnection, McHenry, Minutes, Open Meetings Act, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Reports, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, 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 July 28, 2025| 1 Comment »

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

A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

*“Commercial development planned off Ridge Road in unincorporated McHenry County“

Related: “Barrington luxury home proposal draws criticism from plan commissioners, residents, park district,” “Barrington Plan Commission Public Hearing tomorrow night regarding planned 88 single-family residential homes at former PepsiCo site,” “Barrington posts further information on proposed Claremont development,” “Barrington posts Public Hearing notice regarding proposed 88 home development at former PepsiCo site,” “88 custom home development planned for former PepsiCo Research & Development Center property in Barrington”

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Plan Commission meets this evening

Posted in Agendas, Comprehensive Plan, Dinky, Going green, Plan Commission, Tree Preservation Ordinance, Village Code on July 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The Plan Commission will have a special meeting this evening at 6:30 PM to discuss the Village Tree Preservation Ordinance.  A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.

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Pritzker: 2% support in potential presidential candidate poll – Wirepoints Quickpoint

Posted in Clown Car, ComEd Four, Commodius Maximus, Deception, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Uncategorized, Unions, Wirepoints on July 1, 2025| 1 Comment »

By Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner | Wirepoints

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pursued some of the nation’s most progressive policies while in office and he now claims Illinois is the “most progressive state” in the country. He’s right. Just look at what he’s managed to get passed in his 6.5 years. No cash bail. Constitutionally-enshrined government union powers. The elimination of school choice. An “assault rifle” ban. Utility-bill-busting green energy goals. The “most LGBTQ+ friendly” education policies. The Midwest’s abortion capital.

Pritzker is so confident in his policies that he’s gunning even further left to try and win the Democratic primary for president. Just listen to his speeches at Equality Illinois and in New Hampshire, where he all but announced his candidacy.

But few seem to be biting. At least that’s what the latest Emerson College Polling data says. Among the wide list of potential presidential candidates for Democratic primary voters to choose from, Pritzker ranked near the bottom with only 2% support.

And despite all his efforts and “investment” in diversity, equity and inclusion, his support among black primary voters hit just 1%.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Blame Pritzker’s numbers on a lack of name recognition, but his near-zero support is not from a lack of trying. He hosted the DNC. He launched the 2028 presidential cycle with his New Hampshire speech. And he’s spent Think Big millions in other states like Ohio and Wisconsin – all in an attempt to garner national attention.

More here.

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July 1 starts Illinois laws on gender-inclusiveness, climate education, prostitution privacy

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Commodius Maximus, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Girlie man, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, RINO, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on June 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Climate change education, gender inclusiveness, birth certificates, prostitution privacy, court translators and insulin costs all received attention from the Illinois General Assembly. Laws involving them take effect July 1. Plus, the state gasoline tax goes up.

By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

July 1 is when spending starts on Illinois’ record $55.2 billion budget, when the state gas tax automatically goes up to 48.3 cents a gallon and when new laws take effect – some passed as long ago as 2023.

Here are nine laws passed by the 103rd Illinois General Assembly impacting gender, birth certificates for those under guardianship and for fetal deaths, climate change education, insulin costs, assisted living, overdose survival, court translators and prostitution records. All nine go into effect July 1.

Gender data, birth certificates

House Bill 2297 will have state agencies collect and report gender-inclusive data.

Starting July 1, “male and female” categories will be removed. To conform with gender inclusive initiatives, state agencies will collect and report data for  “man, woman, and persons who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming” categories.

House Bill 4727 will waive fees for a new birth certificate or for a search for a birth record for those with a guardian.

Requests made by the Office of the State Guardian to the Office of the State Registrar of Vital Records in Springfield will have fees waived beginning July 1.

Senate Bill 3182 will allow parents to receive a certificate of birth following a spontaneous fetal death during or after a 20-week gestational period.

According to Liam’s law, if a stillbirth of a fetus occurs during or after 20 gestational weeks, parents have the right to receive a certificate of birth for their child. The law going into effect on July 1 will also replace “mother” with “patient.”

Read more here.

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