Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Countryside Elementary School, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on August 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Cult of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 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 Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Taxes, Wirepoints on August 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By: Mark Glennon* | Wirepoints
Juliana Stratton, Illinois’s lieutenant governor and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, spent this campaign season lecturing voters on campaign finance reform and keeping dark money out of politics. “I’ll work tirelessly to end the corrupting influence of special interest money in [politics],” she has said, and “I think that we have to end dark money. I think that is really infecting all campaigns at this point.” That message has been central to her political identity.
But that hasn’t stopped her from cashing checks from a man who has been repeatedly honored by his company as an “Outstanding [Chinese] Communist Party Member” and credibly described as an influence peddler for China.
The hypocrisy is brazen, but so is Stratton’s indifference to what are called Chinese “subnational incursions” – Chinese influence or operations inserted directly into American government –the battle against which has been a top federal priority under both the Biden and Trump Administrations. Questions of legality loom as well or, if they don’t, holes in our campaign donation laws are apparent and the spirit of the law is being shattered.
The man is China-born Pin Ni, who has been living in America for some 30 years. Among the positions he holds is president of Wanxiang America and chairman of Karma Automotive, both U.S. subsidiaries of Wanxiang Group, a China-based conglomerate. During the current campaign cycle, Ni has given $52,000 to Stratton’s campaign. Ni has been a prolific political contributor across America, primarily to Democrats but not exclusively.
Those central facts about Ni and how he operates were described in a Washington Free Beacon column last week and multiple earlier articles about other political contributions that have appeared in Newsweek and the Washington Examiner, among others. Here is what they reported:
Based on the facts alleged in those articles, Ni’s CCP allegiance is neither trivial nor a fringe theory. Wanxiang’s own corporate materials from last year state that Ni is a CCP member, and the company has named him an “Outstanding Communist Party Member” fifteen separate times. We can find no indication that he has resigned from the party.
Lu Weiding, who now runs Wanxiang and is Ni’s brother-in-law, has said flatly: “Everyone here is a Communist Party member…. Wanxiang’s hallmark is to promote cadres from among its members and recruit party members from among its cadres.” Xi Jinping himself praised Wanxiang’s founder for a company that “always actively does what our Party committees and governments at all levels advocate.”
CCP members are personally obligated to advance the party and its agenda. Among those obligations, as stated in the party’s constitution, are to be “ready to make any personal sacrifices,” put “the interests of the Party and the people above everything else,” execute the Party’s decisions” and “accept any job and actively fulfill any task assigned them by the Party.”
Is there some quid pro quo attached to Ni’s giving? Decide for yourself based on experience.
According to the Washington Examiner, Ni gave Mikie Sherrill’s (D-NJ) gubernatorial race $60,000 and her political action committee another $5,800. Sherrill refused to vote on the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act, a bill to cut the flow of lethal, Chinese-manufactured drugs. She also voted against the DETERRENT Act, a bill to curb the CCP’s influence over America’s higher education.
Article continues here.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
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 »
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.
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.,
Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on August 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Barrington Community Unit School District 220, in the County of Lake, State of Illinois, that a Tentative Budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, will be on file and “conveniently available” for public inspection at the Administrative Offices located at 515 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois 60010, beginning August 1, 2026.
NOTICE IS FURTHER HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on said Budget will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st day of September, 2026, at the Administrative Offices, 515 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois 60010.
Dated this 1st day of August, 2026.
Board of Education
Barrington Community Unit School District 220
County of Lake, State of Illinois
Diana Clopton
Secretary
Board of Education
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’“
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on July 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Democratic candidates Juliana Stratton and Maria Peterson | Photo courtesy Maria Peterson’s Facebook page
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
Who doesn’t love a good wish list? Come dream with us right here.
First step, we abolish capitalism. Without that most ultimate of evils? No more bills. No more debt. We’re all carefree now.
That’s the basic premise of the Democratic Socialists of America’s vision. If you haven’t looked at the platform lately, we offer you the following condensed version.
In addition to abolishing capitalism (step one), the DSA proposes eliminating the Senate and the Electoral College, subordinating the presidency and Supreme Court to Congress, and placing major industries under public ownership.
Housing, health care and energy all become public goods.
Oh, and we don’t need defense or public safety, so we can defund the Pentagon and get rid of prisons. The lamb will live among the wolves and will not be bitten.
While it’s tempting to dismiss all of the above as fringe politics, that might be a dangerously cavalier approach for sensible Democrats. The DSA’s influence has grown inside the Democratic Party, and both Chicago and New York, no small burgs, are governed by mayors who openly identify with the movement.
Editorial continues here.
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Unions on July 31, 2026| 1 Comment »
Partisan politics is a big player in the Illinois Capitol. The state needs real redistricting reform to increase competition, expand representation and strengthen accountability.
By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute
Over 90% of the bills that passed both chambers in the second regular session of the 104th Illinois General Assembly were sponsored by Democrats, reflecting one-party dominance created by partisan gerrymandering.
In that second session, nearly 3,100 bills were filed. Almost 400 passed both chambers — with only 34 of those introduced by Republicans. That’s fewer than 10% of the bills sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Why does that matter? The Illinois Democratic supermajority is freezing out its Republican peers via partisan gerrymandering of legislative districts.
Many Republican bills die before even being heard.
All bills filed in the General Assembly go to the House Rules Committee or Senate Assignments Committee before being referred to an appropriate subject committee. In practice, the rules and assignment committees are often where bills go to die.
This is particularly true for bills introduced by Republican lawmakers. Nearly half of Republican-sponsored bills in the 2026 regular session were never referred to a subject committee, compared with 15% of Democrat-sponsored bills.
Illinois needs real redistricting.
In the 2024 presidential election, about 55% of the Illinois vote went to Democrat Kamala Harris, yet the party holds 66% of the total seats in the General Assembly.
Report continues here.
Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Daily Herald, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 28, 2026| 1 Comment »
Leah Collister-Lazzari
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Two Barrington Area Unit School District 220 board members violated board policies by posting images of students, district property and the district’s chess piece logo on campaign social media sites, an outside investigator determined.
Board members Leah Collister-Lazzari and Barry Altshuler have since deactivated those campaign Facebook pages.
Barry Altshuler
The same investigation cleared board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford of alleged wrongdoing for a photo of her in front of Barrington High School that appeared in a 2025 Daily Herald article.
The school board on Thursday accepted the results of the investigation, which was conducted by the law firm of Robbins Schwartz. None of Collister-Lazzari, Altshuler or Ficke-Bradford addressed the report during the meeting.
Collister-Lazzari and Ficke-Bradford later declined to comment on the findings.
“I admit that I’m not a perfect person,” Altshuler said after the meeting. “I’m just not sure it had to go the way it went.”
The investigation was sparked by a complaint made anonymously under the school district’s Uniform Grievance Procedure.
The investigation report said Collister-Lazzari stated that in 2023 she followed what was district protocol at the time in using the school district’s logo in campaign materials.
Report continues here.
Related: “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’”
Posted in 300, Chicago Tribune, County, Elections, Look For The Union Label, McHenry, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions on July 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Gloria Casas | For the Naperville Sun
Community School District 300, which encompasses all or parts of West Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow and a half dozen other towns, will seek voter approval of a $355.5 million bond referendum in November election.
The D300 school board this week voted 7-0 to place the question on the Nov. 3 ballot. Bonds sold would fund more than 20 projects, including classroom additions to overcrowded schools, repairs to aging buildings, safety updates, entrance security improvements, and a new career and technical education center for hands-on training.
If the measure is approved, the owner of a $400,000 home would see a property tax bill increase of about $8.41 per month, or $101 per year, a news release on the initiative said.
“The referendum question follows a multiyear master facility plan process that examined the condition and capacity of all 27 district schools,” the release said.
“On average, District 300 schools are a half-century old, and roofs, windows, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems need repairs and updates. Many schools are already overcrowded, and an additional 4,000 students are expected over the next 10 years.”
Article continues here.
Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Look For The Union Label, New Normal?, Open Meetings Act, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 23, 2026| 2 Comments »
The Barrington CUSD 220 Board of Education is considering a key amendment to its Policy 2:260 (Uniform Grievance Procedure). The proposed revision would eliminate the ability for parents, staff, and community members to have anonymous reports processed through the formal Uniform Grievance Procedure—a move that directly impacts public oversight of elected Board members and District leadership.
Under current District rules, individuals can file anonymous complaints alleging policy, statutory, or constitutional violations. However, proposed edits to Policy 2:260 explicitly strike out standard formal grievance processing for anonymous claims, introducing strict new requirements recommended by the Policy Committee (highlighted in blue) and edited by the District’s Attorney (stricken in yellow highlights and added in pink highlights):
While the District notes it may still review anonymous reports “as appropriate,” stripped of the formal grievance mechanism, anonymous submissions will no longer trigger mandatory investigation reporting, formal Board findings, or structured appeal rights.
The proposed restriction on anonymous grievances follows two separate formal grievance investigations involving Board Member Erin Chan Ding, both of which resulted in official Board determinations that she violated Board policy:
The effort to change the grievance policy also comes as the Board navigates additional formal complaints brought against other sitting Board members, including Board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Vice President Barry Altshuler, and Board Member Leah Collister-Lazzari.
Ending formal anonymous grievances creates a chilling effect on community members, parents, and District personnel who may fear professional or political retaliation if forced to attach their names to a complaint.
When complaints involve elected officials who wield significant authority over District personnel, policy, and budget decisions, anonymous grievance channels have historically served as a critical whistleblower mechanism. Stripping anonymous claims from formal procedure effectively raises the threshold for public scrutiny—at a time when Board members themselves are subject to active grievance findings.
The proposed edits to Policy 2:260 are currently undergoing Board review and are on the Agenda for discussion at today’s meeting, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Item 6.01. Community members wishing to comment on the proposed changes to the Uniform Grievance Procedure or Board oversight standards can submit public comments or attend tonight’s District 220 Board of Education meeting.
Related: “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’”
Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lipstick On A Pig, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Snowflake Effect, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Video Streaming, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »
CUSD 220 Board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford, Vice President Barry Altshuler and member Leah Collister-Lazzari.
The CUSD 220 Board of Education meets this evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items of most interest on the agenda are:
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here. The meeting will be live streamed on the district YouTube channel.
Related: “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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