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 ‘Fools and their money’ 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 »
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.
Who really funds Nabeela Syed?
Posted in BACOG, Breakthrough Ideas, Cost of Living, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fools and their money, Guest Essay, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency on October 31, 2026| 1 Comment »
This week’s Reveille: The race between Nabeela Syed and Darby Hills for Illinois Senate District 26. Jeanne breaks down nearly $1.7 million in reported contributions from unions and Democratic leaders to Syed, and Syed’s campaign promises vs. her legislative voting record in the IL State House.
By Jeanne Ives | Breakthrough Ideas
“Nabeela Syed was only 23 when she was elected as a state rep. She went from college at the University of California, Berkeley, to running for office with a short stint as a digital strategist for an activist NGO.
She’s been celebrated by the press mostly for her identity. The Indian Express in 2022 said her victory was noteworthy in part because she is young, a first-generation Asian American, and a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.
Syed is a political climber, though. After 4 years in the House, she’s now running for State Senate. She says property taxes are too high, that she’ll fight for small business, and supports efforts to eliminate wasteful spending.
Her votes, though, show the opposite is true. There’s been no property tax relief, and she’s voted for millions in tax increases and the highest budgets in state history. She’s just another progressive Democrat bought and paid for by the unions and the Democrat Party in Illinois.
Over just the last 10 days, Senate Democrats have pushed over $1 million into Syed’s campaign.
Pritzker gave her another $10,000 and a teachers union PAC $40,000. Last quarter, her campaign took in nearly $1.7 million in donations from unions and Democrat leaders. They want this seat.
Also backing Syed is the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium. Their goal is building Asian American and immigrant power. And they want to fight for the civil, immigrant, and human rights for low-income, undocumented, queer, young people, seniors, and women.
Well, where does that leave the average Jane and Joe in Palatine and Barrington, Illinois? If you really want to know who your state rep or senator will represent when elected to office, just find out who’s funding their campaign.
Fortunately, the Chicago Tribune had the common sense to endorse Darby Hills for Senate District 26. She’ll represent Americans and taxpayers.
I’m Jeanne Ives.”
breakthrough-ideas.com
The Facebook reel of this post can be found here. Please share it!
Related: “Editorial: Darby Hills for Illinois 26th Senate District,” “A sound reason for Barrington Hills residents to vote for McLaughlin and Hills”
Barrington hopes streetscape improvements boost downtown’s draw
Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment, Fools and their money, Politics, Road construction, Taxes, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on August 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Barrington officials are celebrating the completion of phase one of the village’s downtown streetscape project, which they hope will boost the town center as a regional attraction.
The $1.5 million project included replacing deteriorating sidewalk pavers with new concrete and clay brick accents, and resurfacing and restriping aging streets.
New landscaping includes flower beds and planters bursting with color.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create a downtown that is more beautiful, accessible, welcoming and easier to maintain for years to come,” Village Manager Scott Anderson said.
Village President Mike Moran noted the work also creates expanded outdoor dining spaces (but not parking) for businesses such as Cook Street Coffee and Gigi Wine Bar and Bistro.
Article continues here.
The Stunning Rise of the Democratic Socialists of America
Posted in 220, Barrington Area Library, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, DARCHED, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Fools and their money, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Immigration, League of Women Voters, News Media, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, School Districts, Taxes, The New Normal?, The New York Times, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on August 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Daily | The New York Times
This summer, the Democratic Socialists of America have mounted their biggest and most successful attempt yet to redefine the Democratic Party. They have defeated its candidates in primary after primary from coast to coast.
As its electoral success grows, the organization is confronting big, unresolved questions about what it stands for and what level of compromise is required to become a lasting political force.
Charles Homans, who talked to more than 30 D.S.A. candidates, organizers, members and volunteers across the countries, discusses the rise and limitations of the D.S.A.
Guest: Charles Homans writes about national politics for The New York Times and The Times Magazine.
The link to the podcast can be found here.
Illinois lawmaker salaries rise 34% faster than their constituents’ paychecks under Pritzker
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Ethics, Fools and their money, Illinois Policy Institute, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Snowflake Effect, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency on July 22, 2026| 1 Comment »
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers have increased lawmaker pay while approving budgets that raised taxes on Illinoisans.
By Shaw Carlson | Illinois Policy Institute
Lawmakers’ pay has grown much faster than the average Illinois salary during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s time in office.
Since 2019, the base salary for members of the General Assembly has risen 44.9%, to $98,304 in 2026.
In the same period, the average Illinois salary rose 33.7%, to about $79,779.
That base salary for lawmakers is set to rise to six figures under the newly enacted fiscal 2027 budget and doesn’t include the additional compensation they get for leadership positions and per diems for items such as lodging.
Pritzker signed the record-high $55.9 billion budget that included more than $800 million in business tax increases and rise to lawmakers.
While lawmaker compensation climbs, voters’ priorities are tossed aside
Illinoisans have made clear what they want state leaders to address.
A recent poll found high taxes were the top concern among Illinois voters, with 52.8% choosing it as one of the biggest issues facing the state. The economy ranked second, with about 41% naming it a top one or two issue out of seven.
Report continues here.
Pritzker doubled your gas tax and is sitting on the money
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BOHICA, Commodius Maximus, Deception, Fools and their money, IDOT, Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Tollway, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, The Chicago Way on July 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The law promised major infrastructure improvements, but the state’s roads aren’t in any better shape than when it took effect seven years ago.
By Jess Plowman | Illinois Policy Institute
The state has collected billions of dollars in taxes for road improvements from the massive 2019 Rebuild Illinois law, but drivers aren’t seeing the benefits.
Illinois is taking in tax dollars faster than it’s spending them on improving infrastructure, and the roads are in no better shape than they were seven years ago, when the hallmark legislation of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first term took effect.
Despite Road Fund revenue growing an average of 14% a year under the bill, fund expenditures grew by an average of just 5% yearly.
What’s more, most of that increased spending was front-loaded in the first two years of the program. Since 2022, Road Fund outlays have increased just 1.3% a year on average, not even the rate of inflation.
In other words, since passing Rebuild Illinois, the state is collecting more money for roads, but it isn’t spending more money on roads.
The Illinois Department of Transportation did not respond to the question of why spending on state roads and bridges appears to have leveled off.
Meanwhile, a “lockbox” provision in the Illinois Constitution prevents Road Fund money from being diverted to non-transportation spending (in theory). That, coupled with the imbalance between revenues and expenditures, has left the fund flush with cash. At the end of fiscal 2025 it held $3.7 billion.
Report continues along with video here.
James Talarico, Running for Senate as a Crusader Against Billionaires, Holds Big-Ticket Fundraiser With Billionaire Hyatt Heir JB Pritzker
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Elections, Fools and their money, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, The Washington Free Beacon on June 26, 2026| 1 Comment »
The Hyatt Hotels heir and Illinois governor once removed five toilets from his mansion to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes | L: James Talarico (Alberto Silva Fernandez/Getty Images), R: J.B. Pritzker (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
By Zach Kessel | The Washington Free Beacon
Left-wing Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, who says “billionaires” are “destroying this country,” held a big-ticket Chicago fundraiser with billionaire Hyatt Hotels heir and Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker (D.), where attendees were encouraged to contribute as much as $13,500 to attend.
The invitation for the Wednesday evening fundraiser, which was first reported by the New York Times‘s Teddy Schleifer, lists prominent liberal donors Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett as part of a host committee and touts Pritzker as the “special guest.” An online RSVP page shows that a ticket cost at least $500, while “hosts” contributed $5,000 and “champions” contributed $13,500. Contributions above the federal limit to an individual candidate of $3,500 went to the Texas Democratic Party and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, according to the invitation.
While Talarico for years advertised his support for “trans kids” and “bold, progressive ideas” as a state lawmaker in a deep-blue Austin district, he has pivoted to attacking billionaires while running for Senate in a state that backed President Donald Trump by double digits. Shortly before launching his campaign, in July 2025, Talarico said in a stump speech, “The only minority destroying this country is the billionaires. … Undocumented people aren’t defunding our schools.” Talarico’s campaign site, meanwhile, says that the “biggest divide in this country is not left vs. right” but “top vs. bottom” and that billionaire “corruption” is hurting “working people.”
Pritzker might be a target of Talarico’s ire, were he not a Democratic official driving deep-pocketed donors to Talarico’s campaign.
Article continues here.
‘Twenty years to grow and 20 minutes to cut down’: Barrington streetscape improvements irk some
Posted in Audubon Society, Daily Caller, Fools and their money, FUBAR, Politics, Tree Preservation Ordinance on June 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »
A picture of the corner of Cook and Station streets shows a tree that was recently taken down as part of the Barrington streetscape improvements. | Courtesy of Bill Hartman
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
The owner and manager of a downtown Barrington building are upset that a mature tree was cut down during the village’s streetscape improvements around Cook Street Plaza.
Holly McClintock, who owns the plaza near Cook and Station streets, and Kristin Beecher, who manages it and lives above Cook Street Coffee, which is part of the development, confronted the village board Monday, as did another concerned resident, Bill Hartman.
Beecher and McClintock said the village the tree, located on the east side of Cook Street Coffee at Cook and Station streets, could stay.
“We were told the tree would stay,” Beecher said. “Twenty years to grow and 20 minutes to cut down.”
Beecher said she was told May 15 the tree needed to come down, but she scheduled a meeting with village officials the next business day to discuss it. Before the meeting could be held, she said, a crew cut it down. She said a street superintend
The corner of Cook and Station streets, the former location of a tree recently removed as part of ongoing streetscape improvements. | Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
In its place the village is building a seat wall where downtown visitors can sit. Beecher is concerned new trees will struggle to grow within the four-foot-deep fixture.
Article continues here.
Totaling the unsustainable tax increases and windfall revenue during Pritzker
Posted in Fools and their money, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, Unions, Wirepoints on May 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
By Mark Glennon* | Wirepoints
Both Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton cite their fiscal accomplishments in Illinois in their campaigns for higher office. Among many reasons to reject those claims is the unsustainability of what’s been put onto taxpayers’ backs during their administration. That total, which very roughly is $162 billion, has provided some degree of stability to state finances and garnered bond upgrades.
However, the consequence is unaffordable government and a cannibalized tax base that is fleeing.
Three buckets go into that $162 billion estimate. Some of it is imprecise, for the reasons indicated, but the big picture is clear.
First, 57 separate state tax and fee increases a raised $77 billion in total since Pritzker took office in January 2019, That number is quite precise and is detailed in a recent report by the Illinois Policy Institute.
Total tax and fee increases: $77 billion
Second, Illinois governments received some $40 to $54 billion (depending on who is counting) of federal Covid pandemic relief.
That figure includes assistance to local governments that did not all go directly into the state budget. However, that local relief helped take the burden off the state for many of the myriad obligations shared by the state and localities. Moreover, the state also got a huge boost in income tax revenue thanks to the surge in private sector Covid relief. According to Pew Research, Illinois was among the biggest beneficiaries. It was one of 17 states where above-trend revenue accounted for more than half of their total growth during that period. A separate study by University of Illinois researchers also documented the surge as well. We will ignore that surge and just go with the lower number for direct Covid payments to government, which is $40 billion.’
Report continues here.
*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
Comments
Credit Due on Man pleads guilty in YouTube t… Shirley Mitchell on Playing For Keeps timewilltell on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… timewilltell on Illinois Senate 26th candidate… 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… Recently Viewed Posts
Archives
Categories
Subscribe to The Observer
