Our Village Board of Trustees meets tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM. Some of the topics on their agenda include:
[Vote] An Ordinance Granting an Amendment to an Existing Special Use Permit to Allow an Addition to Countryside Elementary School, 205 W. County Line Road Ordinance 22 –
[Vote] A Resolution Adopting an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Cook County Assessor’s Office to Facilitate Access to GIS Data Resolution 22 –
[Vote] Plan Commission Appointment: Maggie Topping, term expires 2024
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Brian Cecola, David Riff, Laura Ekstrom and Tom Strauss
For the second quarter in a row, the One Barrington Hills (OBH) Committee comprised of Brian Cecola, David Riff, Laura Ekstrom and Tom Strauss, failed to meet the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE) deadline for filing quarterly financial reports due this week. The committee’s 4th quarterly report was due on Tuesday, January 18th, but instead was filed just yesterday afternoon.
Their 3rd quarter report was filed a week late on October 22nd, 2021, and that was likely due only to The Observer bumping them with our friendly reminder post that day.
In their latest filing, OBH reported it had $4,432.86 in donor cash available. A copy of that report can be viewed here, however this is before the ISBE assesses any civil penalties as they no doubt will now.
We spoke with a representative of the ISBE earlier this week, and they indicated sometimes first committee violations are stayed. However, if a second violation occurs, they will assess the fees for both violations. Noteworthy is the ISBE has increasing penalties for multiple committee violations, which will now be in play. A copy of, “Section 125.425 Civil Penalty Assessments,” may be viewed and downloaded here.
Current Village President, Brian D. Cecola, is listed as chair of the OBH committee, and David Riff is listed as treasurer according to the ISBE website. It’s likely both will have some penalty paperwork to fill out, some checks to write, and they’ll likely have to appear at a ISBE hearing to account for their negligence.
However, we submit all four members of the OBH committee bear some responsibility, and we believe their missteps go deeper than that we’ve just reported. Starting next week, we’ll begin revealing why based on FOIA files we’ve obtained in the last year and audio recordings.
Meantime, any concerned donors to the OBH 2021 campaign can always seek refunds by contacting them at Team@barrington-hills.com. While it may seem premature to some now, perhaps what’s reported next week may change that thinking.
Three Village campaign committees have reported their third quarter financial reports from the April 2021 election to the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE). Those filings were due on October 15th. Click on any link below to view their reports:
The “One Barrington Hills” committee missed the filing deadline, and as of this posting, has yet to file their report. Their committee’s ISBE web page can be viewed here.
According to the ISBE website:
“Pursuant to Section 125.425 of Board Rules and Regulations, civil penalties will be assessed for any late filing of a Statement of Organization or campaign disclosure report. For a committee’s first violation, the fine will be stayed (will not need to be paid) unless the political committee subsequently files a late report. Upon the second violation, the political committee will be required to pay civil penalties assessed for both violations. Click here to view Section 125.425.”
Also, “Late filing of a Quarterly Report may result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000.”
No doubt, this was a simple oversight on their part. Once their report is filed, we’ll be sure to post it.
The Village campaign committees have reported their second quarter 2021 finances to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Click on any link to view their reports:
The Barrington Hills Park District Board will hold their regular monthly meeting this evening via Zoom at 7:00 PM. Some of the topics for discussion include:
Swearing in New Commissioner Drew McMahon
Planting new trees for outdoor arena area
Review of outdoor arena options and next steps
Review Draft of FRVH Cooperative Agreement insurance requirements
Hanover Park Youth Tennis Club use of tennis courts at Countryside School
Some may recall the April 14th agenda included, “Swearing in New Commissioners,” which we found odd since the Cook County Clerk had not yet certified the April 6th Consolidated General Election results yet. The Clerk’s April 27th certification of the election results can be viewed here.
Knowing what absolute sticklers our Park Board is when it comes to policies, procedures and the law, we have every confidence this was just (another) oversight or typo on their part. We’ll see tonight.
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting can be found here.
[Vote] A Resolution of Proclamation Appreciating Martin J. McLaughlin forEight (8) Years of Dedicated Service to the Village of Barrington Hills Resolution 21 –
[Vote] President Pro Tem Appointment: Colleen Konicek Hannigan
A copy of the agenda can be viewed and downloaded here. The meeting is open to those wishing to attend, or residents can listen in by calling 508-924-1464.
The Village campaign committees have reported their first quarter 2021 finances to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Click on any link to view their reports:
There are a number of exceptionally qualified candidates running for office in the upcoming Consolidated Elections April 6th.
Following is a summary of candidates running for various offices in the order they appear on the ballots for those offices. The Observer has noted those candidates we endorse with a check mark.
Early voting is available to registered voters now through Election Day.
The Barrington Hills Observer wholeheartedly endorses Brian Cecola for Village of Barrington Hills President, as well as David Riff, Tom Strauss and Laura Ekstrom for Village Trustees in the April 6th Consolidated Election.
Early voting starts this morning for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Elections. For information on where to cast your ballot between now and Election Day, click on your county below:
The Village campaign committees have reported their first quarter 2021 finances to the Illinois State Board of Elections. Click on any link to view their reports:
