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Archive for the ‘Property Taxes’ Category

Despite widespread local opposition, “North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors,” rallies members to support Pritzker’s BUILD Plan

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Fools and their money, Immigration, Land Disconnection, Land Use, OP/Ed, Organizations, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Springfield, Unions, Zoning Board on April 22, 2026| 3 Comments »

More than two months ago we posted, “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control.” Shortly thereafter, local community leaders almost universally voiced their opposition to Pritzker’s plan to diminish local control and property values via his “BUILD,” plans.

Needless to say, we were dumbfounded when an email was forwarded to us with the subject line, “Call For Action: Support the BUILD Plan to Increase Inventory.” That message was sent by, “North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors (NSBAR).” Since most recognize the reputation (many) realtors have, suffice it to say consider the source as we continue…

The NSBAR message begins with, “Please contact your legislator and tell them to support the BUILD Plan to increase housing inventory and ease housing costs for Illinois families.” State Rep. Martin McLaughlin has not been shy in voicing his opposition to Pritzker’s land grab plans stating, “It’s just a bad idea.”

The NSBAR pitch states the BUILD plan will, “Eliminate local housing bans.” One does not need to read further, but those wishing to can do so here.

All we can advise is when buying or selling a home, choose your representative and attorney wisely.

Related: “Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans,” “(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers,” “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

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CUSD 220 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions on April 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

On Monday May 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a meeting conducted by Barrington Community Unit School District 220 will take place at 515 West Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the district’s plan for providing Special Education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the District for the 2026-2027 school year.

If you are a parent of a home-schooled student or a parentally placed private school student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Barrington Community Unit School District 220, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Nicole Kozeneski at (847) 844-4225.

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IRS: Illinois lost $6 billion to outmigration in 2023

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes on April 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

A net of nearly 56,000 people and $6 billion in income left the state in 2023, according to IRS data.

By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinoisans who leave take a lot of money with them.

Federal tax returns show the state lost 55,609 people and $6 billion in adjusted gross income on net in 2023, the most recent IRS data available.

Most of those people were high-income. While people of all income levels left Illinois in 2023, the heaviest loss was among those making more than $100,000 a year. They made up 60% of the state’s net migration losses.

The economic impact of those departures is even greater: Filers making more than $100,000 took more than $5.5 billion with them — 90% of the state’s income loss.

Illinois lost residents to 38 states and the District of Columbia in 2023. By far the largest share of individuals and income was lost to Florida, which gained 10,583 residents and $2.4 billion in income from Illinois.

Texas was No. 2, adding 7,795 residents and $488 million in income from Illinois.

Article continues here.

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District 220 Board of Education meets tonight

Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

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 Request Report
  • Revised Personnel Report
  • Consideration to Approve 2026-2027 Meal Prices
  • Consideration to Approve 2026-2027 NSLP Food Service Renewal
  • Consideration to Approve Transform 220 Bids
  • Project Work Order #12 to the Pepper Construction Company Master Agreement
  • Consideration to Approve a BHS Athletic Program Donation Agreements
  • Grade Level Program Transition Update
  • Transform 220 Pre-Construction Update
  • Teaching and Learning / Equity Update

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

Related: “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”

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Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District Board meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, BCFPD, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Jewel-Osco, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD on April 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The lease on the BCFPD fire station adjacent to Village Hall is being reviewed according to their agenda. | Courtesy Google maps

The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) Board of Trustees meets this evening at 6:30 PM at 22222 N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington. Topics on their agenda include:

  • Station 37 (Barrington Hills) Lease Review
  • Local Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) (Type IV) Memorandum of Understanding

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here.

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Village of Barrington President shares perspectives on Pritzker’s BUILD plans

Posted in Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Unions, Village Code, Zoning Board on April 19, 2026| 1 Comment »

Mike Moran, Village of Barrington President

“Barrington has always taken a thoughtful and balanced approach to growth, preserving the character of our neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future. With that in mind, I am writing to share serious concerns and urge opposition to House Bill (HB) 5626, known as the BUILD legislation. View the full text of the bill and its status here.

This proposal would override local zoning and require municipalities like Barrington to allow multi-family housing on nearly every residential lot.

Local zoning authority grants the Village the power to create and maintain single-family residential districts, which cover most of the Village’s footprint. In these locations today, only single-family homes are permitted. This helps to maintain the existing character and density of our neighborhoods.

What BUILD Would Allow by Lot Size:

Because all single-family residential lots in the Village exceed 5,000 sq. ft., this legislation would allow for any single-family residential lot in the Village to be redeveloped into a 6 or 8-unit building without any ability for the Village to prohibit such redevelopment. In short, if you live in a single-family residential district, the home next to yours could become a 6 or 8-unit apartment building.

This legislation raises several concerns. It removes local control, does not reflect the character of our neighborhoods, and could place additional strain on parking, infrastructure and schools. It also creates the risk that existing single-family homes, including naturally affordable housing, could be replaced by higher-density development, leaving uncertainty about future costs and fees.

Barrington supports responsible growth, but these decisions should remain local and grounded in careful planning. The Village will continue to share updates and information about this legislation in the coming months. I encourage you to visit the Village’s website to stay informed.”

Related: “(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers,” “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

 

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(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Posted in Clown Car, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, FUBAR, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Topics Of Interest, Zoning Board on April 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Image courtesy PridesCrossing

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers to pitch in.

After announcing the Building Up Illinois Developments Plan during his budget address in February, the governor urged support for it Friday at the City Club of Chicago.

Pritzker said the BUILD Plan is ambitious and comprehensive.

“It’s designed to eliminate unnecessary barriers and lower costs for housing construction and renovation, produce a wider range of family-friendly housing types and streamline permitting,” the governor said.

Pritzker said Illinois faces a gap of more than 142,000 housing units and needs to build about 225,000 units over the next five years.

The governor said most of the BUILD Plan would not cost taxpayers anything, but he said there would be an investment.

“The BUILD Plan also includes about $250 million to help spur development of housing and help people to afford housing,” Pritzker said.

Article continues here.

Related: “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

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Illinois lawmakers grill diversity commission over lack of progress

Posted in Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Girlie man, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square on April 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

From Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, references an investigation by The Center Square

By Jared Strong | The Center Square

State lawmakers expressed public, bipartisan concern again Wednesday over an Illinois commission’s efforts to increase access to state contract money for businesses that are owned by racial minorities, women and people with disabilities.

The lawmakers’ concerns are largely based on the reporting of The Center Square in recent months, which has found that the commissioners have fewer responsibilities than their counterparts elsewhere in government and that their decisions have led to a dramatic decline in businesses that are certified for contract preference.

“It seems to be in shambles,” said state Rep. Brad Halbrook, a Shelbyville Republican.

Halbrook made the remark and fired numerous questions at staff of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion during a committee budget hearing Wednesday night. He questioned the pay of the seven commissioners who lead the agency — who each make about $150,000 a year — and their switch to a new computer system nearly two years ago that has effectively blocked more than 2,000 businesses from enhanced access to the contracts.

Other lawmakers had their own concerns, which led them to request that the commission’s staff return to the Capitol for further questioning before they decide whether to approve their $5.6 million budget request for the next fiscal year.

None of the six other agencies that were also subjects of the Wednesday budget hearing were asked to return. The commission’s next appearance before the committee has not yet been scheduled.

Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, a Chicago Democrat, was “taken aback” that the commission had failed for a year to coordinate with the Secretary of State’s Office to contact businesses that might be eligible for certification, as she has previously requested.

Article continues here.

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Pritzker could unlock $1 billion for Illinois students

Posted in Education, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 16, 2026| 1 Comment »

The governor should say yes to a program that would provide donated education money for Illinois families.

By Lilly Rossi | Illinois Policy Institute

A billion dollars for Illinois students is on the line.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker can opt into a new program and allow Illinois families and students access to almost that much in donated education money.

Or he can watch the money flow to other states.

A new program allows donors to take a tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualified donations. If just 30% of filers in Illinois took the full credit, the state could gain nearly $1 billion a year in new education resources to be used for millions of students.

The money would help students afford a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition or fees, get special education services or assist with other academic needs.

Starting next year, any taxpayer can get the credit for a qualified contribution up to $1,700 to a scholarship-granting organization.

The only cost of the program is minimal foregone income tax revenue to the federal government. There is no cost to participating states, only the benefit of more help flowing directly to students.

A number of taxpayer-participation scenarios show that “even modest taxpayer engagement could translate into significant resources,” according to an analysis from Education Reform Now. Based on an estimated participation rate of taxpayers eligible to receive the full $1,700 tax credit in Illinois, students in the state could see as much as $1 billion.

Article continues here.

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Editorial: Before adding new rules on homelessness, let’s enforce the ones we have

Posted in Barrington Hills Park District, Chicago Tribune, New Normal?, OP/Ed, Politics, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes on April 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Tents sit near a burned section of ground in a homeless person encampment in Legion Park in the North Park neighborhood on March 4, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Homelessness is punishing in itself without the fear of being fined or arrested simply for surviving outdoors. On the other hand, abandoning public spaces — such as parks — to lawless tent encampments isn’t fair to residents, either.

That’s why we’re concerned about a bill making its way through the statehouse. While well intentioned, House Bill 1429 would restrict when governments can impose fines or criminal penalties on unhoused people for certain “life-sustaining activities” on public property — and in doing so may actually make it harder to address encampments in public parks.

Some Chicago neighbors who have been fighting to resolve sprawling tent cities compassionately view this seemingly well-intentioned legislation — House Bill 1429 — as another potential obstacle. The bill wouldn’t bar cities from clearing encampments or moving people, but it does prohibit ticketing or arresting unsheltered individuals for basic survival activities, broadly termed “life-sustaining activities” in the legislation.

It defines “life-sustaining activities” expansively to cover essentially all basic human behaviors required to survive outdoors, such as sleeping and eating. But it also goes beyond basic survival to include storing personal property, which in practice is how encampments form and persist, as well as “protecting oneself from the elements,” which is incredibly broad and could create ambiguity around enforcement of activities like using propane tanks or open flames in the parks.

The bill also would require advance notice (generally seven days) and outreach before enforcement, absent an emergency, creating “a system where action can only be taken after a problem occurs, instead of allowing communities to prevent issues before they escalate,” said Restore Gompers Park Coalition’s Lynn Burmeister, whose group has long advocated for housing and services for people living in the encampments in addition to safety for neighbors.

Meanwhile, the encampment problem on the Northwest Side has become unsafe, untenable and unchanging. When the city clears one encampment, another pops up, often nearby.

With these settlements come reports of unsanitary and dangerous conditions, including reports of public sex, drug and alcohol use, and fecal matter in the parks.

Editorial continues here.

Related: “Illinois bill would override local law to allow homeless living in all public parks”

 

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