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Progressive Policies Have Left Illinois the Least Equitable State in the Country

Posted in Clown Car, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), John Kass News, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Snowflake Effect, Springfield, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 15, 2026| 1 Comment »

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signs a bill into law. Photo by Mark Black

By Paul Vallas | John Kass News

Illinois politicians love the word equity. They use it as a moral shield, a budget justification, a substitute for results.

If equity is supposed to improve life for Black residents, Illinois isn’t a model — it’s an indictment, as the state consistently ranks at or near the bottom when Black-White economic disparities are examined while Illinois residents pay the residents paying the highest taxes and fees in the country. Yet this hasn’t produced any policy reassessment among the Democratic Party leadership that dominates state and Chicago government, only rhetoric and scapegoating.

Most everything in Illinois and Chicago government in recent years claims to deliver some form of “equity.” To our progressive establishment, that means greater equality in actual outcomes for the poor and other disadvantaged groups, especially racial minorities. Equity has been central to government policy since at least 2019, when Gov. JB Pritzker became governor and Lori Lightfoot became mayor, and progressives held supermajorities in the General Assembly long before that.

While Illinois Democratic leaders sermonize, Black Americans vote with their feet. Pew Research reports that from 2010 to 2024, the largest gains in Black residents were in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Texas added over 1 million Black residents. Florida added over 745,000, drawing significant migration from the Northeast for its healthcare, education, and small business opportunities. Illinois, by contrast, was among the few places where the Black population declined, destroying the fantasy that Illinois is delivering opportunity better than states governed very differently.

Wirepoints frequently points out that a WalletHub study on racial equality ranked Illinois dead last out of all 50 states. The study measured disparities between Black and White residents across eight key metrics: poverty, homelessness, homeownership, unsheltered homeless, labor-force participation, executive positions, median income, and unemployment. The employment comparisons are especially striking (WalletHub; Illinois Policy).

Commentary continues here.

Related: “Pritzker Embraces Democratic Socialists of America as Part of Democrats’ Recipe to Win – Wirepoints”

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Illinois’ per-pupil spending 7th-highest in U.S., but outcomes shaky

Posted in 220, 300, Barrington Education Association, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Springfield, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on July 14, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Spending was $25,000 per student in 2022-23, almost $5,000 above the national average.

By Jessica Rehberg | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois spends more per public school student than nearly every other state.

During the 2022-23 school year, the state spent $25,000 per student, adjusted to 2024 dollars, according to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s almost $5,000 more than the U.S. average of $20,039 per student. The figure includes local and state money.

Illinois’ spending ranked seventh-highest in the nation and highest in the Midwest. Despite that, the state has struggled to show strong academic outcomes.

In the 2024-25 school year, only about half of Illinois public school students in grades 3 to 8 and in 11th grade met state reading proficiency standards. In math, just 39% were proficient.

The poor results were much more pronounced in some groups. Low-income students scored 16 to 19 percentage points below the statewide average in both reading and math.

Among Black students, 32% of those in grades 3 to 8 and 26% of 11th-graders were proficient in reading, while 14% to 15% met proficiency standards in math.

For Hispanic students, 39% to 41% were proficient in reading and 24% to 25% proficient in math across grades 3-8 and 11th grade.

These figures come after the Illinois State Board of Education lowered its proficiency benchmarks in 2025 and made student performance appear stronger on paper.

Report continues here.

Editorial note: States spending the same of more than Illinois are New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey.

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Special meeting of the Barrington Hills Park District Board Monday

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Cell Towers, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, Unions on July 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Cult of Barrington Hills will hold a special meeting Monday at 6:30 PM. The sole topic on their agenda is:

  • “Intergovernmental Agreement between the Barrington Hills Park. District and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County”

A copy of the agenda can be viewed here and the meeting will not be available via Zoom.

Related: “Special Closed Session Meeting of the Barrington Hills Park District Board Monday, June 22nd”

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Illinois allows lawmaker conflicts of interest

Posted in 220, Barrington Hills Park District, Board of Education, Conflict of interest, Deception, Elections, Ethics, His Master's Voice, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Politics, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Transparency, Unions, Village President on July 9, 2026| 1 Comment »

The indictment of state Rep. Carol Ammons is a reminder that Illinois still relies on the honor system in conflicts of interest.

By Joe Tabor | Illinois Policy Institute

The federal indictment this week of a state representative is a reminder that Illinois lawmakers are on the honor system when it comes to conflicts of interest.

Rep. Carol Ammons was indicted July 7 on charges of wire fraud, making false statements to a federal investigator and obstruction of justice in an alleged apparent scheme to divert state grant money to herself and her daughter.

Key to the case is the alleged conflict of interest of Ammons aiding in arranging appropriations for state grants to go to Hood Votes Neighborhood Transformation, where her daughter was program director.

Voting for appropriations that will go to pay a close family member is a clear conflict of interest, but in Illinois, lawmakers are on the honor system there. State law reads:

When a legislator must take official action on a legislative matter as to which he has a conflict situation created by a personal, family, or client legislative interest, he should consider the possibility of eliminating the interest creating the conflict situation. If that is not feasible, he should consider the possibility of abstaining from such official action. (Emphasis added.)

Most states require lawmakers to disclose any conflict of interest before a vote, to recuse themselves from voting on any legislation where they have a conflict of interest, or both.

In those states, lawmakers who violate the requirements can face stiff civil and criminal penalties.

With such a recusal provision in place, Ammons’ alleged corruption might have been caught earlier.

Report continues here.

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Illinois loses young people at more than 3 times the U.S. rate

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Illinois Policy Institute, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, School Districts, Springfield on July 8, 2026| 1 Comment »

The number of state residents under 20 fell 6.8% from 2020 to 2025.

By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute

A sharp decline in young people in Illinois and other newly released age data should concern state leaders and spur work on solutions.

From 2020 to 2025, Illinois’ population of residents under 20 fell by 6.8%, more than three times faster than the national average of 2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The number of state residents under 20 fell by over 36,000 last year and nearly 214,000 since 2020.

Meanwhile, the population of older Illinoisans saw a large increase in that time. The number of those 60 and older rose by more than 46,387 last year and more than 240,000 since 2020.

Both nationally and in Illinois the number of residents in their 50s declined as the large Baby Boomer generation has aged. The population of those 60 and over increased by 11% nationally and 8.2% in Illinois from 2020 to 2025.

Other younger age groups also are growing far faster across the nation than in Illinois. From 2020 to 2025:

  • The population of those in their 20s grew by 4.3% nationally but only 1% in Illinois.
  • The number of 30-somethings grew by 4.7% in the U.S. but a mere 0.5% in Illinois.
  • The population in their 40s grew by 5.5% nationally but only 1.2% in Illinois.

The state’s median age has increased to 39.7, slightly above the national median of 39.4.

While the population changes by age trends in the U.S. and Illinois are similar in directionality, the state is seeing more substantial shifts in its age profile. These differences are likely due to outmigration trends in Illinois, as a net number of retirees and younger families are moving out of the state. Thus while Illinois’ median age might closely track the national figure today, the state’s population changes are much more concerning than what the nation as a whole is experiencing.

Report continues here.

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Pritzker Embraces Democratic Socialists of America as Part of Democrats’ Recipe to Win – Wirepoints

Posted in Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Guest Essay, Immigration, Land Disconnection, Land Use, Lipstick On A Pig, Look For The Union Label, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, School Districts, Snowflake Effect, Taxes, The New Normal?, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Wirepoints on July 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By: Mark Glennon* | Wirepoints

Gov. JB Pritzker left no doubt about where he stands in the growing schism within the Democratic party about its surge toward the radical left. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked him directly on June 30 if it’s good that Democratic primary voters recently chose Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates over more moderate Democratic incumbents.

Pritzker answered that as long as they are talking about affordability and oppose Trump, “those are the people who are winning” and embracing progressive/in Democratic Socialist candidates is “the recipe for winning in 2026 and beyond.” Here’s the clip:

Many key Democrats are revolting against the growing elements of socialism in their party.  As the left-leaning Guardian put it:

Over the last few days, prominent party figures have moved away from unifying under a “blue no matter who” banner to push for a more formal break with their left flank, and said the moment may have arrived for Democrats to confront their more socialist wing.

No less than veteran Democratic political advisor James Carvill recently said “it’s time for Democrats to talk the S-word: schism,” He added that some DSA-aligned candidates “have no place in the Democratic party” and, of the broader coalition: “I’m not in that fucking political party.”

Other prominent Democrats speaking up against the party’s growing leftism include Jaime Harrison, the former chair of the Democratic national committee, former New York governor David Paterson and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. And the left-leaning Atlantic wrote that, while the DSA is “anything but Democratic,” its clever subversion of the Democratic Party will be difficult to stop.

In case you don’t already know – and you should – here’s some of what the DSA supports:

  • Abolishing ICE, demilitarizing the border, ending all deportations, granting immediate amnesty to all immigrants regardless of status and guaranteeing access to jobs, labor rights and social services
  • Abolishing the Senate, expanding the House, voting rights for noncitizens and people with criminal convictions, statehood to the District of Columbia, replace the two‑party system with proportional representation,  limit the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, and replace the Electoral College with a national popular vote
  • Medicare for All with no health care premiums, co‑pays or deductibles, including reproductive and gender‑affirming care
  • Tuition‑free public higher education, eliminating out‑of‑pocket costs for room and board, and canceling all student loan debt
  • Universal rent control, guaranteed legal representation for tenants, and major public investment in social housing
  • Free universal childcare and pre‑K, expansive paid family leave, a 32‑hour workweek with no loss in pay or benefits
  • Higher rates on the wealthiest earners, for‑profit corporations, large inheritances and private colleges and universities, as well as a wealth tax on the ultra‑rich
  • A Green New Deal to end fossil fuels, guarantees for displaced workers and public ownership of major transportation, energy infrastructure and natural resources
  • Ending mandatory minimums and cash bail, demilitarizing police departments and treating drug addiction as a public health issue

For the sake of the nation, we can only hope that, on this, America agrees with James Carville: “I’m not in that f-ing party.”

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints. 

Source

Editorial note: Maria Peterson (pictured below with JB Pritzker) appears to have made a profession for years running for offices with the financial backing of JB Pritzker, among others. In 2022 she ran unsuccessfully for Illinois State Senate and in 2024 she lost her bid for Illinois House 52nd District Representative.

Maria Peterson and JB Pritzker | Courtesy Maria Peterson’s Facebook page

Currently she is feverishly campaigning again for 52nd District Representative, and there is absolutely no doubt if successful, she will back all of JB Pritzker’s initiatives and likely those of the Democratic Socialists of America.  This includes Pritzker’s stalled “BUILD Initiative” which would strip property rights from residents and place all zoning controls in the hands of Springfield politicians and unions.

Please don’t consider this as our being negative, as some might. Instead, think of it for what it is – fact.

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Barrington Hills Police Announce Fireworks Permit Issued (Again)

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington High School, Community Alerts, Entertainment, Equestrian Commission, Lighting Ordinance, Politics, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, VBHPD on July 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Barrington Hills Police Department would like to inform you that a Permit for a professional Fireworks Display has been issued for July 4th starting at 9:30pm at Barrington High School. Please remember that it is illegal to use or explode unpermitted fireworks. Please celebrate this Holiday safely. Thank you Thank you, Village of Barrington Hills.”

Sent via email a second time 24 hours after the first. Apparently they are trying to avoid as many complaints as they can.

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Bicentennial Flashback – “Barrington’s 4th bursts forth”

Posted in Barrington Area Library, Barrington Courier-Review, Barrington High School, Nostalgia, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on July 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Courier-Review | July 15, 1976 Edition

“As the temperature began to soar up to a high of 100 degrees and the sun beat down upon the pavement residents of barrington began to line the streets in anticipation of the biggest 4th of July parade the village had ever seen.

Seats in the shade were a premium and most of the spectators had to brave the searing sun to watch the marchers in their trek through the streets.

The parade led off with a color guard from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Red, white and blue predominated as the many floats wound their way down Main St. and up Hough Ave.

Photo by Barry Jarvinen

Photo by Barry Jarvinen

Local precision marching units and drum and bugle corps provided the music along with the Barrington High School Band for the hundreds of boy and girl scouts in colonial costumes.

Floats depicted scenes of the Revolutionary War and our frontier past brought smiles to the faces of the younger spectators in between the times they were scrambling for candy and prizes tossed to them.

The thermometer reached 100 degrees Saturday during the Barrington Bicentennial parade, one of several events which signaled the conclusion to the 8-day celebration. And while the marchers trudged along with cool thoughts in their minds, these dogs stationed themselves next to a bucket full of water, refreshing themselves at their leisure. | Photo by Barry Jarvinen

Area fire departments sent their engines to fill the air with the sounds of wailing sirens and the antique automobiles tried mightily to answer back with their bulb horns.”

Editorial note: The Barrington Area Library maintains archives of the Barrington Courier-Review.

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Barrington July 4th Events

Posted in Barrington High School, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Politics, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Signal Hill NSDAR, Unions on July 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet – 8:30 AM

Enjoy the bright and bold sounds of the Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet as they perform live on the porch of Barrington’s White House. This all-star Barrington ensemble will deliver classic American standards and patriotic favorites before the Independence Day parade.

*Note: In the case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved inside to the 3rd floor ballroom.

Special thanks to the Signal Hill NSDAR for sponsoring this free event.

Register for this free event here.

The Barrington 4th of July Parade – 10:00 AM

Barrington is home to so many wonderful businesses, neighborhoods, charitable organizations, churches, sports teams, riding clubs, dancers and musicians. Bring your chairs and gather your friends and family for this year’s parade as we celebrate America250 and all things Barrington down Main Street!

Lions Club Brat Tent – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wool St Parking Lot

A beloved community staple, the Barrington Lions Club Fourth of July Brat Tent Festival returns to the Wool Street parking lot. The event promises food, beverages and entertainment for all ages, including dedicated children’s activities.

Information can be found on their Facebook Page.

Celebrate America’s 250th with the Barrington History Museum

Join the Barrington History Museum for its special A250 programs.

  • July 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. — Post-Parade Ice Cream Social
  • July 4, 2–3 p.m. — Lincoln: A Living Portrait
  • July 4, 3:30–5 p.m. — Hidden Messages in Spirituals on the Underground Railroad

More information on these events can be found on the Village’s A250 page. More information about the museum can be found here.

4th of July Fireworks – 9:30 PM

The Barrington Community Fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. from Barrington High School and can be seen from many locations around town.  More information here.

Please note that parking at Barrington High School (616 N. Main St.) will be more limited this year due to the school’s major auditorium construction project.

  • Please use the Barrington High School parking lots accessible from Hart Road.
  • Additional parking is available on surrounding streets. Please observe all posted parking regulations, restrictions, and no-parking zones.
  • If you are walking to or from the fireworks viewing area, use designated crosswalks where available, remain alert to vehicle traffic, and exercise extra caution, especially after dark.
  • Fireworks can be loud and stressful for pets. For their safety and comfort, consider leaving pets at home, securely indoors, rather than bringing them to the event.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe, and we hope you enjoy the fireworks celebration!

Weather Advisories

Please stay tuned to the Village’s social media pages and the website for the latest event information. In the event of cancellations due to inclement weather, information will be shared with the public on these communication channels.

Info posted from a Village of Barrington email.

 

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Barrington Hills Police Announce Fireworks Permit Issued

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington High School, Community Alerts, Entertainment, Equestrian Commission, Lighting Ordinance, Politics, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD on July 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“The Barrington Hills Police Department would like to inform you that a Permit for a professional Fireworks Display has been issued for July 4th starting at 9:30pm at Barrington High School. Please remember that it is illegal to use or explode unpermitted fireworks. Please celebrate this Holiday safely. Thank you Thank you, Village of Barrington Hills.”

Sent via email.

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