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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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Happy April 15th: Illinois property taxes up 27% under Pritzker

Posted in Barrington Education Association, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The governor pins the issue on local governments, but state law and decisions contribute to the problem.

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute

Gov. J.B. Pritzker isn’t as innocent as he wants us to think when it comes to Illinois’ property tax woes.

“I want to remind you that property taxes are not determined by the state of Illinois, but rather by local governments…including school boards, park boards, library boards, municipalities, etc.,” he said last month.

He put special emphasis on school boards.

Pritzker is right that local taxing bodies set levies, but suggesting those decisions have nothing to do with him is naive at best and dishonest at worst. State mandates, pension obligations and funding choices he oversees play a significant role.

Under the governor, property taxes have risen nearly 27% — from $31.8 billion in 2018 just before he took office to $40.37 billion in 2024.

State decisions shape some of the largest pressures behind those tax bills.

Illinois public schools are primarily funded by property taxes. But school districts are forced to rely so heavily on those taxes in part because the state diverts a growing share of its education spending to pensions instead of classrooms.

Article continues here.

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Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules

Posted in BACOG, Chicago Tribune, Girlie man, Home Occupation Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Springfield, Unions, Zoning Board on April 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Developer Nick Serra steps April 7, 2026, onto the future balcony of a newly constructed third floor unit in a building he’s redeveloping to add rental apartments in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

By Olivia Olander | Chicago Tribune

Above the bay windows that run up the center of a two-story apartment building in Uptown, Nick Serra stands on what had been the roof but will soon be the balcony for a new third-floor unit he’s adding.

In many circumstances, the construction work would be a sure sign that another traditional Chicago apartment building was being gutted and converted into a single-family home that could fetch more than $1 million.

Instead, the new top floor will be a four-bedroom apartment that, along with other changes Serra is making, will turn the entire building into a six-unit development capable of housing a dozen people.

“Versus, you know, two people and their golden retriever,” Serra said, as he stood last week on the unfinished top floor.

Serra is part of a cohort of developers adding units to existing buildings rather than tearing them down or converting them to single-family homes — a practice many housing advocates say helps with affordability in high-demand neighborhoods. But finding lots zoned to allow the additional square footage and density he needs is difficult, particularly on the North Side, where he primarily works. Under current rules, he has managed roughly two dozen such projects over five years.

Those difficulties finding lots for such projects could change significantly under a package of proposals from Gov. JB Pritzker that would make it easier for developers and property owners across Illinois to build the kind of multiunit housing Serra specializes in.

The plan, a cornerstone political and policy piece of Pritzker’s State of the State address in February, would loosen zoning restrictions that currently limit the residential density allowed on a given lot and, supporters say, open the door to new multifamily buildings across the state.

Additional local rules for building size and height could still apply, potentially restricting a building of the exact dimensions of the one in Uptown.

But the prospect of allowing four-flats or six-unit apartments on quiet suburban streets, and granny flats in backyards across the state, has raised alarms among many local leaders.

The response from the governor’s office? Something has to be done in the face of a housing shortage across the state, and the Pritzker administration is pushing forward anyway.

Story continues here.

Related: “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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Editorial: As AI turns classmates into targets, schools and parents are playing catch-up

Posted in AI, Chicago Tribune, OP/Ed, School Districts on April 12, 2026| 1 Comment »

The sun sets on the Illinois State Capitol on Feb. 18, 2026, in Springfield. State lawmakers recently updated Illinois’ child pornography laws to include AI-generated images. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Every parent should be paying attention to what’s been going on at Lake Zurich High School.

In an April 2 communication to families, school officials said police are investigating allegations that students used artificial intelligence to generate and share explicit, pornographic images using the likeness of other students. District officials have said that no staff members directly viewed the images, underscoring both the sensitivity of the material and the limits schools face once a police investigation begins. The conduct itself dates to late February, but only came to light April 2.

Kids have been bullying each other since the dawn of human existence. These allegations are different. Imagine being a victim’s mother or father and having to console them, to strategize how to show their face back at school, to process the feelings of violation, embarrassment and sadness that inevitably follow such exposure. Imagine being the parent of the child who did it and will have to face the consequences.

What’s going on is an uncomfortable tension between two difficult truths. Victims of AI manipulation are suffering real harm, including humiliation and lasting emotional damage. At the same time, many of the teens responsible are not fully equipped to grasp the permanence and scale of what they’re doing.

Adolescent minds today have easy access to technology that can create and distribute images instantly, without clear or consistently enforced guardrails. Schools, laws and parents are still operating under rules built for a world where harmful images had to be shot, not fabricated, and where the consequences unfolded more slowly.

Last month, two teenage Pennsylvania boys received probation after generating hundreds of fake nude photos of classmates using AI. The boys were 14 at the time of the crime. Last year, police in Louisiana discovered several middle-school boys had been sharing AI-generated nude photographs of female classmates on Snapchat. Advocates say there are thousands of instances of AI targeting each year, and as the technology improves the problem grows with it.

A key challenge in attacking the problem is the nature of teenagers; their decision-making and maturity are still developing. In the same way we don’t expect kids to drink until they’re 21 or drive until they’re 16, we cannot expect all teenagers to make responsible decisions with tools this powerful.

Editorial continues here.

Related: “Lake Zurich mom calls for relocation of students accused in AI porn incident: ‘A deep violation of the girls’ personhood’”

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District 300 teacher arrested for attacking 3 victims and responding police officer in Crystal Lake

Posted in 300, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, School Districts on April 10, 2026| 1 Comment »

Jason K. Katzbeck, 49, of Lake in the Hills, was arrested after allegedly battering three people at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, 72 North Williams Street in Crystal Lake, and then kicking a police officer early Saturday morning. | Photo – Left: Provided; Photo – Right: Rookies Sports Bar & Grill

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

An Algonquin-based District 300 teacher and tutor was arrested after he allegedly punched a man repeatedly, battered two other men and then kicked a responding police officer at a bar in Crystal Lake.

Jason K. Katzbeck, 49, of Lake in the Hills, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, four counts of aggravated battery in a public place, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Katzbeck punched a man on the left side of his face with a closed fist around 1 a.m. Saturday.

Katzbeck also punched the victim on the left side of his torso with a closed fist, the complaint said.

The complaint said Katzbeck additionally battered a second man by chest-bumping him, causing the victim to fall to the ground.

Katzbeck also allegedly pushed a third man in the chest with two open hands, the complaint said.

Story continues here.

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Barrington Hills Park District (Riding Cult) meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BCFPD, Bicyclists, Big Red, BraveHearts, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Ethics, Financial Statements, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Simple Minds, SOS Party, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on April 8, 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:

  • Advisory Committee Report
  • Emergency Stabling at the Riding Center
  • Payment Alternatives to Cash/Checks (Ozempic)
  • Administrator’s Report
  • Closed Session for Employee Matters & Contracts/Agreements

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

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Over $100,000 in Special Interest Funding gifted to 220 Board member’s campaign in failed bid for State Rep job

Posted in 220, AI, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Conflict of interest, Data Center, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, Guest Essay, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 7, 2026| 1 Comment »

“As a resident of Barrington, IL, I am deeply concerned about the actions of one of our School Board members, Erin Chan Ding, who has admitted to violating School Board policy, using her position for personal gain and political leverage. Her recent activities have raised eyebrows in our community, as it seems she is prioritizing her run for the Democratic candidate for State Representative of the 52nd District over her duties and responsibilities to our children and community. The Board has already voted that she has flagrantly violated School Board policy.

School Board members should exemplify unbiased dedication to the educational needs and welfare of our students. However, it has come to light that this individual is leveraging her role for publicity to further her political career, diverting attention from our District’s educational priorities. Our students deserve leaders who are fully committed to their well-being, not those looking for personal advancement or caught in political machinations.

Evidence of this misuse includes multiple occasions where she solicited petition signatures during school events in violation of Board policies. She was warned by the Board President in July of the violations and her need to adhere to Board policies and she agreed to do so. Despite these admonitions and Chan Ding’s agreement to adhere to policy in July, she’s continued to repeatedly violate policy. The Board voted for remedial training as the consequence for her violations. This is not an acceptable response to her conscious decision to repeatedly violate the very policies she presided over as one of the 2 Board members on the Policy Committee; particularly where Chan Ding was warned by Board President Bradford publicly at the July Board meeting of the violations but continued violations despite the public admonitions.

Chan Ding’s interests align more with her political campaigning ambitions than with School Board responsibilities. Furthermore, decisions made on critical educational issues are now being scrutinized for potential conflicts of interest influenced by her political agenda. This is not the kind of behavior we can afford to permit, as it undermines the trust and integrity essential to governing bodies like our Board of Education.

Removing this member will not only help restore the Board’s focus on its core mission but also sends a clear message that our community will not stand for misconduct or exploitation of elected positions for ulterior motives. It’s crucial that our School Board reflects the best interests of our students and maintains an unwavering commitment to their education and growth.

Join me in calling for the removal of Chan Ding to ensure our Board remains a place for sincere, student-centered service. Let’s protect the integrity of Barrington’s educational system and hold our officials accountable. Sign this petition today to take a stand for our schools and community.”

Read more here.

Related: “New Evidence of Chan Ding’s Policy Violations and Conflicts of Interest,” “Candidate Erin Chan Ding’s opinion on Data Centers,” “Barrington area Democrats condemn Chan Ding mailers,” “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “School district’s parking plan defies logic,” “Zoning change defies village policy,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “Erin Chan Ding: The violations just keep piling up…,” “Erin Chan Ding starring in another episode of, ‘Rules For Thee But NOT For Me…’,”  “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency,” “Ding Politicking on School District Property,” “Dual School Board and State Rep Positions Legally Incompatible,” “D220 Abuses Taxpayer Funds in favor of Partisan Campaign,” “Ding In Her Own Words – CONFLICTED!,” “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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District 220 Board of Education meets tomorrow

Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Big Brother, Board of Education, Deception, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Taxes, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

 

The District 220 Board of Education meets Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM at the District Administration Center, 515 W. Main Street. Items on their agenda include:

  • FOIA Requests*
  • Personnel Report
  • Resolution abating the working cash fund of the District
  • Consideration to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal Due to Reduction in Force of Part-Time or Full-Time Educational Support Personnel
  • Consideration to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Honorable Dismissal Due to Reduction in Force of Group 2-4 Certified Staff
  • Consideration to Approve Non-BSEO Classified Staff Compensation and Benefits for the 2026-2027 School Year
  • Consideration to Approve Administrative Compensation and Benefits for the 2026-2027 School Year
  • Consideration to Approve the Adoption of Multi-Year, Performance-Based Contracts for Chad May, BMS-Station Campus Principal; Chelsea Hedges, Assistant Superintendent of HR & Talent Acquisition; Eric Steckling, Director of Communications; Heather Schumacher, Hough Elementary School Principal; Josh Carpenter, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Melissa Byrne, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning; Micah Korb, Countryside Elementary School Principal; Michelle Acosta, Early Learning Center Principal; Sarah Rabe, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction & Student Performance; Steve McWilliams, Barrington High School Principal; Peg Lasiewicki, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Support; Travis Lobbins, BMS-Prairie Campus Principal
  • Consideration to Adopt Resolution directing the Regional Superintendent of Schools for The County of Lake, Illinois, to certify to the County Clerk of said County the question of imposing a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals, for submission to the electors of said County at the general election to be held on the 3rd day of November, 2026 – Resolution – Lake County School Facilities Sales Tax

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

*Interesting to see NBC Chicago requests.

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State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, Look For The Union Label, Perjury, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, The Center Square, Unions on April 1, 2026| 1 Comment »

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty tax increases are allowed by state law.

The governor was asked about property tax relief at an event in Chicago on Monday.

“Well, I want to remind you that property taxes are not determined by the state of Illinois, but rather by local governments, indeed, local units of government, including school boards, park boards, library boards, municipalities, etc,” Pritzker said.

The governor then pointed to the minority party in Illinois.

“So I think people sometimes get confused. I know the Republican Party in Illinois is quite confused and thinks that this is a state issue when it is actually a local issue,” Pritzker said.

Americans for Prosperity Illinois Deputy State Director Brian Costin said the governor’s statement is false.

“It is absolutely a state issue. If Gov. Pritzker doesn’t understand that, he doesn’t understand what the state constitution is about and that local governments are created by the state government,” Costin told The Center Square.

A report by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said loopholes in state law allowed local officials to raise taxes at twice the rate of inflation and also higher than wage growth from 1994 to 2025.

Article continues here.

Related: “Editorial: Maria Pappas’ property tax numbers don’t lie. Governance in Illinois has been a stark failure for 30 years,” “Cook County property taxes doubled the rate of inflation in past 30 years, Treasurer Maria Pappas study finds”

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