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January Board of Trustees meeting recording released

Posted in Audio Recordings, Barrington Hills Park District, Clown Car, Cook, County, Deception, Ethics, FPDCC, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, One Barrington Hills, Plan Commission, Plum Farm development, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Government, Village President, Zoning Board on January 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Change Petition

Property being considered for annexation by the Board of Trustees.

The recording of the January 22nd Board of Trustees meeting has been released. Once again, there are several items we would like readers to hear, but the, “Annexation of Contiguous Properties Discussion,” topic is one we recommend first.

Nearly half of the meeting was devoted to the annexation topic, and while much dialog is unintelligible due to poor sound quality, one can almost get the gist of what is being discussed.

The link to the recording can be found here, and the annexation discussion begins at the 26:20-minute mark.

Related: “Village Board of Trustees meet tonight,” “A matter of trust,” “December Board of Trustees meeting recordings released,” “Change.org petition posted: ‘Why Barrington Hills should not annex Sutton and the Penny Road Properties.’”

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The most read posts to The Observer in 2023

Posted in 220, Barrington Area Library, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Clown Car, ComEd Four, Dumb and Dumber, Elections, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, News Media, One Barrington Hills, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, VBHPD, What the Ficke (Bradford)?, WTF on December 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

2023 Snaps

(Castle home image courtesy Coldwell Banker Real Estate)

2023 was indeed an interesting year. Here are the most read posts to The Barrington Hills Observer this year:

Have a Happy New Year!

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Best Places for Families to Live in Cook County

Posted in Contests, Cook, Countryside Elementary School, County, Entertainment, Property Taxes, Real Estate, South Barrington on December 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

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Photo credit: iStock/fstoplight

By Amanda Rahn | Chicago Parent

Choosing a place to raise a family can impact the way a child sees the world.

Niche, a website offering rankings and statistics on towns, schools and colleges, also publishes a ranking of the best places to raise a family. See the rankings below to find out how towns in Cook County stack up.

These statistics were calculated based on public schools, crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities. Data for these categories come from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC and other data sources. You can find the full methodology here.

Here are the top 10 best places to raise a family in Cook County, according to Niche:

  1. Kenilworth
  2. Inverness
  3. Western Springs
  4. Wilmette
  5. Winnetka
  6. Northbrook
  7. South Barrington
  8. Barrington Hills
  9. La Grange Park
  10. Glenview

Read more, including a brief description of each community,  here.

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Festivals Oct. 20-26: All Hallows Eve, Morton’s Cider and Ale Fest, Halloween fests and more

Posted in Entertainment, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest on October 20, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo’s “Boo! at the Zoo” is this weekend

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Ongoing

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 29, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale. On weekends, there are hayrides for $3.50 and animal shows. $5 for residents, $5.50 for nonresidents; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/randall-oaks-zoo.

Jack O’Lantern World: Various times and dates through Sunday, Oct. 29, at 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Walk a ¾-milelong trail through thousands of jack-o’-lanterns hand-carved by local artisans. $14.99-$24.99. thejackolanternworld.com/lakezurich.

Terror Roulette: Various times and dates through Tuesday, Oct. 31, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, Suite J-40, South Barrington. Haunted house challenge designed for horror fans. Tickets start at $33.60. terrorroulette.com.

Friday, Oct. 20

Treats and Treasures Fall Fundraiser: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church, 36W957 Highland Ave., Elgin. Shop vintage, classic and retro holiday and household decor, jewelry, games, linens and handcrafted gift items. The bakery features seasonal treats, cookies, brownies and more. Proceeds benefit the church’s local and outreach ministries. Free. sthugh.net.

Military Miniature Society of Illinois Show: 3-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, 50 Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Juried exhibition hosted by the Military Miniatures Society of Illinois featuring the work of modelers from around the world displaying painted miniature figures and original sculptures from historical to fantasy, armored and other vehicles, airplanes, ships, dioramas and vignettes. Vendor area offers model kits, paints, tools, books and more. Admission $10; free for kids 12 and younger. military-miniature-society-of-illinois.com.

Zombie Fun Run: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Volkening Lake, 900 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Run or walk while dressed in a Halloween costume for nearly two miles while being chased by zombies. Fee includes a hot dog or brat, chips and a drink. $10-$15. parkfun.com.

Schaumburg Halloween Carnival: 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6-9 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 20-29, and 6-10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 30-31, at Wintrust Field Parking Lot and Walkway to the Entrance, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Spooky rides, a House of Creeps haunted house, food, trick-or-treating, seasonally themed arts and crafts, live music and more. Free; parking is $5. Haunted house admission is $17.50 online, $20 at the door. wintrustfield.com.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Boo! at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22, at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Pumpkin decorating, treats, pumpkin feeding to the animals at 10:30 a.m., zoo chats, magic shows, Halloween scenes and a virtual reality spooky carnival coaster (extra fee). Costumes encouraged. $29.95, $24.95 for 65 and older, $20.95 for kids 3-11. czs.org/booatthezoo.

Haunted Hoffman Family Fest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates. Inflatables, giant yard and carnival games, face painting, temporary tattoos, food truck, music and more. Come in costume. $8 for the Trick-or-Treat Path featuring characters including Chase, Ana and Elsa, Big Bird and more. Register at heparks.org.

Cider and Ale Festival: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53. Lisle. Savor hard cider and beers from more than 30 local breweries and cideries. General admission includes a souvenir tasting glass and 20, 3-ounce samples. 21 or older. $60. mortonarb.org.

Fall Bash at Deer Park Town Center: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Family-friendly activities, including complimentary magic shows, pumpkin decorating, balloon art, DJ dance party and more. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com/events/fall-bash.

Trick-or-Treat Climb: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at The Club at Prairie Stone, 5050 Sedge Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Kids will collect treats and prizes as they climb up the climbing wall. Rock climbing-friendly costumes welcome. $12-$15. heparks.org.

Palatine Jaycees Fall Back Brew Fest: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at 155 W. Wilson St., Palatine. Try a variety of Illinois and Midwestern beers. $45; $60 VIP; $10 designated driver. palatinejaycees.org/fall-back-brew-fest.

All Hallows Eve: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Halloween activities for all ages. Costumes encouraged. $10 per kid. Register at ahpd.org.

Halloween Hoopla: 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield. Kids’ games, hayrides, inflatables in the park, trick-or-treat trail, entertainment and more. For kids 3-12. $10 per child for residents, $15 for nonresidents. deerfieldparks.org.

Algonquin Trick-or-Treat Trail: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Old Town Algonquin, along Main Street, Algonquin. Stop by over 20 participating businesses for treats. Also, pumpkin painting, inflatables, games and more. Free. algonquin.org.

Halloween Spooktacular Disco Ball: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. A family-friendly Halloween party with music by The Dynamix, games, goody bags, a costume contest and photo opportunities with characters. Concessions available. $12-$14. parkfun.com.

Itasca Haunted Trail: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Ray Franzen Bird Sanctuary, 650 N. Rohlwing Road, Itasca. A guide will lead kids 11 or younger with a parent or 12 or older alone through the one-third-mile loop. Family hour from 6-7 p.m. and active scaring from 7-9:30 p.m. Last group leaves at 9:15 p.m. Weather permitting. $7, $3 for repeat trips; cash only. itascaparkdistrict.com.

Nightmare on Chicago Street: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, on Chicago Street, between Grove Avenue and Villa Street, Elgin. 11th annual event with live entertainment, bands, food, drinks, vendors, graffiti artists, a costume contest and special guests such as MeTV’s Svengoolie. $35; VIP parking $50. nightmareonchicagostreet.com.

Sunday, Oct. 22

Pumpkin Splash: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Arlington Ridge Center, 660 N. Ridge Ave., Arlington Heights. Bob for pumpkins. The activity pool will have floating plastic pumpkins and harvest eggs containing candy or toys. $12 for residents; $17 for nonresidents. Registration required. ahpd.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Enchanted Night at the Museum: 5-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Raupp Museum, 901 Dunham Lane, Buffalo Grove. Participants will start outdoors with a flashlight egg hunt then move indoors for riddles and challenges while exploring the museum. Halloween punch and a goody bag is included. For kids 7-12. $12-$15. Register at bgparks.org.

Thursday, Oct. 26

West Chicago Spooky Trail: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, and 7-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28, at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National St., West Chicago. A one-third-mile haunted trail with ghouls, witches and all things scary. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Register in advance at we-goparks.org/special-events.

Find many more entertainment opportunities here.

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South Barrington park board votes to halt land sale to Plymouth Brethren Christian Church after clash with residents and being sued. A park commissioner quit amid the vitriol, citing ‘nonsense.’

Posted in Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Politics, Property Taxes, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, Uncategorized on September 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »

SB1

The South Barrington Park District Board of Commissioners voted at its meeting Sept. 27, 2023 to cancel the land sale it was in the middle of with Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The meeting was held at the Park District Community Center in South Barrington. (James C. Svehla/Pioneer Press)

By Pioneer Press staff | Pioneer Press

The pending sale of land by the South Barrington Park District to a small, relatively unknown church group grew into a resident upheaval that included a lawsuit, but ended Wednesday with cancellation of the purchase, uncertainty about what’s next and the resignation of a park board commissioner.

At issue had been the sale of Park District-owned land to Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, a faith organization that, according to its website, started in England in the 19th century and currently has 50,000 members worldwide.

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Pete Perisin, president of the South Barrington Park District Board of Commissioners, speaks during the park board meeting Sept. 27, 2023, at the Community Center in South Barrington. (James C. Svehla/Pioneer Press)

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Shelby Elias, who had been vice president of the South Barrington Park District Board of Commissioners, resigned from the board Sept. 27, 2023, just hours before the board meeting at the Community Center in South Barrington where commissioners voted to stop a land sale to Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. (James C. Svehla/Pioneer Press)

The official purchaser, Fourth Avenue Gospel Building Inc., with an address in Schaumburg, was set to buy the approximately 34 acres of land located at Bartlett Road and Route 59/Sutton Road — also known as “Area N” — for $1.7 million. The sale had been expected to finalize last month.

But Wednesday, the park board voted 4-0 to cancel the sale.

The decision came during the board’s regular meeting. But a special meeting had been held immediately before the regular one, and it was mostly closed session. While it is unknown exactly what was discussed in that executive session — which the board is not immediately required to disclose if it is to talk about such things as pending litigation, acquisitions or personnel matters — it is believed commissioners reviewed the land sale.

“The park district will refrain from additional comments due to ongoing litigation,” read a Park District statement issued Thursday morning.

Read more here.

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South Barrington parks board cancels sale of land to religious group

Posted in Barrington United Methodist Church, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Organizations, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest on September 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

South Barrington Park

The South Barrington Park District board on Wednesday canceled its planned sale of 34 acres at Bartlett Road and Route 59 to a religious group. (John Starks | Staff Photographer, August 2023)

By Russell Lissau – Daily Herald 

After weeks of public pressure, the South Barrington Park District board has decided not to sell 34 acres of undeveloped land to a religious group.

The board on Wednesday night voted 4-0 to cancel its pending contract with Maywood-based Fourth Avenue Gospel Building Inc., a nonprofit operation that’s owned and operated by a local congregation of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

Fourth Avenue representatives intended to build a house of worship and a school.

Park district voters in November approved holding an auction to unload the property, which sometimes is called “Area N.” Fourth Avenue Gospel Building was the lone bidder, offering about $1.7 million for the property near Bartlett Road and Route 59.

Last month, people opposed to the plan — including many residents of the nearby Woods of South Barrington development — demonstrated against the deal at park district headquarters. They’ve cited the proposed use of the land and some of the church’s practices among their concerns.

Read more here.

Related: “After public outcry, South Barrington Park District might scrap plan to sell land to religious group,” “Attorneys for South Barrington Park District, church tell judge they want to complete land sale,” “Opponents of the South Barrington Park District land sale to Plymouth Brother Christian Church protest outside meeting, confront commissioners,” “Proposed sale of South Barrington Park District land to church is headed to court,” “Why the South Barrington Park District has halted land sale to church, (Part 2),” “Why South Barrington Park District has halted land sale to church,” “South Barrington Park District proposed property sale updates include request for support,” “Hearing on controversial church plan canceled in South Barrington, but opponents still have their say,” “Why some South Barrington residents oppose plan for new church, school,”  “Nearby South Barrington Park District property sale concerns neighbors”

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After public outcry, South Barrington Park District might scrap plan to sell land to religious group

Posted in Barrington United Methodist Church, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), South Barrington, Topics Of Interest on September 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

SBPD Property

By Russell Lissau – Daily Herald

After a public outcry, the South Barrington Park District board on Wednesday will consider scrapping a controversial plan to sell undeveloped land to a religious organization.

A motion to cancel the pending $1.7 million sales contract for a 34-acre site near Bartlett Road and Route 59 is on the agenda for the evening’s board meeting. The would-be buyer is Maywood-based Fourth Avenue Gospel Building Inc., a nonprofit operation that, according to one of its websites, is owned and operated by a local congregation of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

Park District Executive Director Jay Morgan said he doesn’t know if a majority of the five-member board will vote to stop the sale, which has been publicly opposed by dozens of local residents. At least two commissioners wanted the issue on the agenda, he said.

“I think they wanted to put it on there so the residents don’t feel like we’re not listening to what they’re saying,” Morgan said.

Commissioners couldn’t be reached Tuesday.

The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at South Barrington’s Community Center, 3 Tennis Club Lane. It will follow a mostly closed-door meeting set to begin at 6:30 p.m., during which the board will discuss pending litigation stemming from its plan to sell the land.

Park district voters in November approved holding an auction to unload the property, which sometimes is called “Area N.” Fourth Avenue Gospel Building was the lone bidder.

More here.

Related: “Attorneys for South Barrington Park District, church tell judge they want to complete land sale,” “Opponents of the South Barrington Park District land sale to Plymouth Brother Christian Church protest outside meeting, confront commissioners,” “Proposed sale of South Barrington Park District land to church is headed to court,” “Why the South Barrington Park District has halted land sale to church, (Part 2),” “Why South Barrington Park District has halted land sale to church,” “South Barrington Park District proposed property sale updates include request for support,” “Hearing on controversial church plan canceled in South Barrington, but opponents still have their say,” “Why some South Barrington residents oppose plan for new church, school,”  “Nearby South Barrington Park District property sale concerns neighbors”

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Proposed flood insurance rate maps reflect changes to local flood risk; 90-day appeal period for filing appeals and comments underway

Posted in BACOG, FPDCC, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Plan Commission, Real Estate, South Barrington, Spring Creek Watershed, Topics Of Interest, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Zoning Board on September 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Flood Zones

Excerpt from FEMA Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 0178 in Hoffman Estates | Courtesy of Illlinois State Water Survey on behalf of FEMA

Submitted by Shelly Fuller

Updates to portions of Cook County’s and Kane County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are nearly complete.

The new maps will provide both counties with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans and help officials and residents make better decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance.

Areas of revision are within the Poplar Creek and Spring Creek watersheds and include portions of: Barrington Hills, Cook County (unincorporated areas), Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood, Kane County (unincorporated areas) and South Elgin.

The mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks.

The work has been led by FEMA Region V, in partnership with local community officials and the Illinois State Water Survey.

Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized, a 90-day appeal period will give residents and business owners a chance to provide additional technical data or non-technical comments for FEMA’s consideration.

FEMA encourages residents and business owners to review the proposed map changes, learn about local flood risks and potential flood insurance requirements, and share any concerns or questions.

If members of the affected communities notice incorrect information that does not involve changing the flood hazard-related information-such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary-a written correction, or “comment,” can be submitted.

If members of the communities have concerns about certain areas of the map and have technical and scientific information-such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data-that can be used to improve the maps, they may file an appeal during the 90-day appeal period. All comments and appeals must be submitted through the local officials. Because submitting an appeal requires some time and effort, we encourage property owners and renters to review the updated flood maps now.

If you are interested in submitting an appeal, we highly recommend that you first discuss it with your local officials so they can provide guidance on the process. For more details about this process, visit www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_Status/bfe_main.asp.

Read more here.

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Why South Barrington is investigating getting drinking water from Lake Michigan

Posted in BACOG, South Barrington, Well Water Quality on September 16, 2023| Leave a Comment »

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By Russell Lissau – Daily Herald

A plan to provide South Barrington homes and businesses with drinking water from Lake Michigan is in the works.

The village board on Thursday agreed to extend a contract with a firm investigating whether dumping the current well-based system in favor of water from the lake is feasible.

The extension will allow a Chicago engineering firm, Greeley and Hansen, to continue its preliminary research, which will give village officials more information about what is needed to connect to the lake, Village Administrator Robert Palmer said.

The board is considering joining the Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency, a consortium of Cook County towns that buys Lake Michigan drinking water from Chicago.

South Barrington officials are eyeing that system because it already serves nearby suburbs along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Palmer said.

South Barrington’s current water system serves about 400 homes west of Bartlett Road, the Arboretum of South Barrington shopping center and other customers, Palmer said.

Homes elsewhere in town have their own wells.

Read more here.

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Watch out! North suburban haunted houses are here to scare you

Posted in Entertainment, South Barrington on September 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

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South Barrington

Terror Roulette: Hours are 7-11 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 6 p.m.-midnight Saturdays and 6-11 p.m. Sundays Sept. 29-Oct. 29 plus Oct. 30-31. Tickets: $29.60-$69. At The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road. terrorroulette.com.

The “Terror Pass” is general admission; the “Psycho Pass” gets you a T-shirt and a commemorative photo. A “Full House” VIP experience is $199 and is at 9:45 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays only and includes a behind-the-scenes tour plus T-shirt, pin, photo and sticker pack. It’s limited to 16 people each night.

The best deal is a group of eight; not only are the ticket prices reduced but you’re guaranteed to be with your group.

Guests must be 16 and older to enter Terror Roulette without a parent; those 13 and older must be with a parent or guardian over age 21. While guests are not permitted to touch the actors, Terror Roulette is a fully immersive attraction and visitors may be touched, guided, held back, set on a different path or even removed from their group. There is a safe word if the experience gets to be too overwhelming.

Find more here.

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