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Archive for the ‘Topics Of Interest’ Category

Larger Village Estate For Rent – $35,000/month

Posted in Property Taxes, Real Estate, Topics Of Interest on November 29, 2023| Leave a Comment »

2 Rock Ridge Rd

2 Rock Ridge Road

“Opportunity to rent fully furnished or unfurnished. This stunning one of a kind estate is located in Barrington Hills on 12.3 beautiful acres. The house boasts expert craftsmanship and the finest materials, resulting in a true masterpiece. As you enter the property, you are greeted with an exquisite two story foyer with a crystal chandelier and a grand staircase. The gourmet kitchen is a chef’s dream, equipped with top-of-the-line Wolf, Viking & SubZero appliances and the two kitchen islands offer plenty of counter space. The expansive living room features custom wood beams and a limestone fireplace. With a formal dining room and informal dining room there is ample space to host guests, while the cozy family room offers a more relaxed atmosphere overlooking the grounds. The primary bedroom has its own wing on the main floor with a spa like bathroom featuring a steam shower, soaker tub, heated floors and a coffee bar leading you to a breathtaking walk in closet. Also located on the main floor is a spacious office with custom woodwork and fireplace. Upstairs you will find 4 bedrooms all with their own ensuite and custom walk in closets, one of 3 laundry rooms, wet bar and additional seating area. Making your way downstairs is an entertainers dream with a sprawling living area featuring another stone fireplace, movie theater, custom billiards room and 1,200 bottled temperature controlled wine cellar. But that’s not all, also located on the lower level is a in law suite with adorable 2nd kitchen, and dining room. Exiting through the pool and changing room you will find an outdoor grilling stati on and luxury in ground pool, hot tub and secret garden. The 6 car garage is a car collectors dream.

Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of [see last changed date above]. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. Some IDX listings have been excluded from this website. Prices displayed on all Sold listings are the Last Known Listing Price and may not be the actual selling price.

2 Rock Ridge Ln is a house located in McHenry County and the 60010 ZIP Code. This area is served by the Barrington Community Unit School District 220 attendance zone.”

Read more here.

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Veterinarian provides tips around concerns of mysterious dog illness

Posted in Animal Welfare, Topics Of Interest on November 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Pup

A puppy relaxes on a bed of straw | BlueRoomStream

By Zeta Cross | The Center Square contributor

Illinois dog owners are panicking about reports of a mystery respiratory illness that has been affecting dogs in other states.

People are asking their vets if it is safe to send their dogs to daycare. They are wondering about the risk of boarding dogs over the holidays.

“All good questions,” Dr. Drew Sullivan, medical director of Chicago’s Medical District Veterinary Clinic, said. “We just don’t have enough data yet to be able to answer some of these questions.”

So far, there are no reported cases of the new mystery illness among dogs here in Illinois, Sullivan said.

“We haven’t seen any of it. The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association just put out an alert saying that they do not have reported cases,” Sullivan said.

Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are states that have reported cases of unusual respiratory illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics.

The last time Illinois experienced a bad outbreak of a new form of canine influenza was in 2015, Sullivan said.

“Is it coming? Maybe. We don’t really know,” he said.

Common cold symptoms that dogs normally experience are coughing, runny nose, eye discharge, and chest congestion. Before you run to the vet’s office, give them a call, Sullivan said. Chances are that the dog is just experiencing one of the common dog viruses that dogs get in colder months.

More here.

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Forest Preserves of Cook County November 2023 Newsletter

Posted in Animal Welfare, Cook, County, Crabtree Nature Center, FPDCC, Horizon Farm, Property Taxes, Topics Of Interest on November 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Sandhill Cranes

A monogamous species, sandhill cranes mate for life. Once a pair is successful mating at a location, they will likely keep returning to that same spot. | Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis), Photo by: Derek Jordan

In this issue:

  • New Prescribed Fire Activity Map
  • 2024 Picnic & Special Event Permits, Camping Reservations Now Available
  • Forest Preserves’ 2024 Budget Unanimously Approved
  • Latest News: Learn Five Fun Facts About White-Tailed Deer, Congratulations to 2023 Chicago Wilderness Force of Nature Awardees, Meet Jalanni Matthews
  • Upcoming Events, and
  • Volunteer Opportunity

Read the newsletter here.

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Riding Club of Barrington Hills Bridle Path Rules Certification

Posted in Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Entertainment, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Organizations, Public Safety, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions, Village Code on November 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

RCBH

“RCBH BRIDLE PATH ETIQUETTE AND RULES

The bridle paths include both public trails on county-owned property and private trails in Barrington Hills. Over 150 miles of these paths are maintained by the Riding Club of Barrington Hills. Everyone with a Forest Preserve of Cook County tag for their horse and license for the rider can take advantage of the public trails maintained by the Riding Club of Barrington Hills in the Cook County Forest Preserves. Trails located outside the Forest Preserve are for the exclusive use of Riding Club of Barrington Hills members and guests by stipulation of the land owners where these trails are located.

RCBH TRAILS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY – When the Riding Club of Barrington Hills (RCBH) was established in 1937, an informal agreement was entered into by neighbors, whereby mounted members of the Riding Club could traverse the landowners’ properties on horseback. Almost 80 years later, that relationship still exists. Our relationship, by its very nature, is a delicate one, we therefore ask you to follow the bridle path rules, to ensure that our system will continue to be viable.

  1. Riders must be current RCBH members in order to ride on the private trails, however RCBH members may bring a guest when they ride. The host club member is responsible for ensuring that their guest has signed the required waiver form before riding. Waiver can be found in the directory and is also available on our website https://ridingclubofbarringtonhills.org/online-waiver/
  2. Follow the RCBH bridle path markers, always stay on marked trail, be respectful of the trails and don’t ride if conditions would cause damage or leave hoof prints on the lawn. Don’t litter and where possible consider picking up manure after you ride.
  3. Current RCBH bridle tags must be displayed at all times when riding on private trails.
  4. Private bridle trails are for mounted riders only, no dogs, motorized vehicles or pedestrians allowed.
  5. If you open a gate, close it.
  6. Private trails are walk only.

RCBH TRAILS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

The Riding Club of Barrington Hills maintains 65+ miles of trails within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) properties. These are multi-use trails. Riding on FPDCC trails is by permit only: to obtain these permits, please go to their website at https://fpdcc.com/things-to-do/equestrian/. Rules for riding in the FPDCC are available on their website at https://fpdcc.com/about/rules-regulations/.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CLEAR A PATH YOURSELF, PLEASE REPORT BLOCKED TRAIL TO THE TRAIL REP IN YOUR SECTOR.

TRAIL REPS ARE LISTED IN THE RCBH DIRECTORY AND ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER TRAILS.

The Sponsor certifies that the Applicant has adequate knowledge of the RCBH Bridle Path Rules to join the Club by entering information below and clicking [Submit]“

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The 50 Richest Cities In Illinois, Per The Latest Census Data | Forbes

Posted in Property Taxes, Real Estate, Taxes, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest on November 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

960x0

Lakeshore suburbs of Chicago dominate the top of the list of the richest cities in Illinois. | GETTY

By Andrew DePietro Contributor | Forbes

We’ve been on a tour d’horizon lately with our studies, analyzing various American states and identifying the richest cities there. Recently, we have covered several states of the Midwest, including the richest cities in Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan. Now, we turn our eye on that classic state that Abraham Lincoln eventually called his home state: Illinois.

We analyzed over 1,460 cities in the state in order to identify the richest cities in Illinois. The way in which we evaluated and scored each city’s ranking is detailed below.

Read on to find out what the richest city in Illinois is, plus the top 50 wealthiest cities in the state overall.

What Are the Richest Cities in Illinois?

In order to assemble this list of the richest cities in Illinois, we sourced key financial data from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Armed with these datasets, we constructed a four-factor scoring system to help identify the wealthiest cities in Illinois:

  • Median household income
  • Mean (average) household income
  • Median home value
  • Median property taxes paid

When it comes to Census data, keep these things in mind: For certain factors, the Census numbers have upper limits. For example, for median household income, the Census Bureau has an upper limit of “$250,000+”. For median home value, the upper limit is “$2,000,000+”. For median property taxes paid, the upper limit is “$10,000+”. For these reasons, the mean household income (which is the same as average household income) dataset is crucial because the Census Bureau has exact figures for it. All four of these metrics were scored, added up, and then ranked by the cities’ combined scores.

Below you’ll find a table detailing the top 50 richest cities in Illinois and their respective dollar figures for each metric:

Top 50

Read more here.  Spoiler alert:

VBH Rank

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Small Business Saturday to offer deals at mom-and-pop shops

Posted in Entertainment, Resident Spotlights on November 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Downtown Barrington

Downtown Barrington

By Andrew Hensel | The Center Square

As big box retailers get ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many are reminding shoppers not to forget Small Business Saturday as a way to support smaller shops.

The Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, with many retailers offering lower prices on different items.

Many shoppers may think of Black Friday and Cyber Monday first, but Charlie Owens of the National Federation of Independent Business is reminding shoppers of Small Business Saturday.

“It was first observed in 2010 during the holidays, and it is the counterpart to those big events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday,” Owens told The Center Square. “Those two events tend to feature more big box stores and large online retailers.”

Owens said Illinois and other states have small businesses that can offer as much as, if not more than, some big retailers.

“They’re going to have great deals,” Owens said. “The real important thing is lots of times they will have products you don’t find in those other two venues.”

Read more here.

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Things to do Nov. 24-30: Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake, tree lightings, holiday markets, ‘Nutcracker’ and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, Topics Of Interest on November 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Navy Pier

See fireworks on Saturday nights when Light Up The Lake returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier. (Courtesy of Navy Pier)

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Ongoing

Chicago Christkindlmarket: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 24, at Daley Plaza. 50 W. Washington St., Chicago. German-style outdoor market featuring international and local vendors selling a variety of wares. Free. christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza.

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select days through Jan. 7 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take an after-dark stroll through an array of illuminated displays from new installments to favorites like the Winter Cathedral. In advance: $30-$34 for adults, $17-$19 for kids 3-12; day of: $33-$37 for adults, $19-$21 for kids 3-12. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 30, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ticket prices start at $55. marriotttheatre.com.

Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival: 5-9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 31, at Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. Holiday lights show includes a Christmas Market, photo ops, fire pits, s’mores, hot chocolate, adult specialty drinks and more. $10-$15. sonnyacres.com.

Rosemont’s Chicago Wolves Ice Rink: Noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 21. Free admission. Bring your own skates or rent skates on-site for $8. ParkwayBankPark.com.

ZooLights: 4:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, through Jan. 7, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Lighted displays, photo ops and interactive programming. $10 Fridays and Saturdays, $7 most weekdays, free on Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights.

Long Grove Vintage Days: Through Dec. 23 in downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Carriage rides Fridays through Sundays; holiday caroling; merchant open houses and promotions; and Santa visits from noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 24-26. Free. longgrove.org/festival/holiday-season.

Friday, Nov. 24

Light Up The Lake: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Outdoor ice skating, ax throwing, outdoor firepits, light displays, live music, a holiday artisan market, fireworks on Saturdays and more. Free, fees for some activities. navypier.org.

Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic kicks off Friday, Nov. 24, with over two million twinkling LED lights, live entertainment, roaming carolers, ice carving and more. – Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 24-26, and Thursday, Dec. 1, and other dates through Dec. 31 at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. See more than two million twinkling LED lights. Entertainment from 5-8 p.m. at North Pole at The Pavilions featuring Those Funny Little People, Juggling Elves, pictures with Santa, roaming carolers and ice carving at the Nature Stage. Advance tickets are not required for North Gate entry, but are required for South Gate entry. $20.95-$29.95. czs.org/HolidayMagic.

Arlington Heights Tree Lighting: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave., and Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. The countdown to the lighting of the tree and park will take place at 5 p.m. in North School Park. Hop a trolley and enjoy holiday fun at Harmony Park from 4:30-6:30 p.m., including an ice carver, a reindeer, a giant ornament of lights, photo stations and a free professional photo. Trolleys will be looping between Harmony Park and North School Park from 3:45-6:45 p.m. Free. vah.com/treelighting.

Schaumburg Tree Lighting Ceremony: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Holiday caroling begins at 6 p.m. Santa will be escorted by the Schaumburg Fire Department and will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree at the Jack Siegel Memorial Plaza. Santa will meet with children in the Prairie Center’s Maggie Atcher Theatre, where parents/guardians are encouraged to bring their cameras for photos. Bring nonperishable food items for the Schaumburg Food Pantry. Free. prairiecenter.org.

Festival of Lights Parade: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, at Williams and Brink streets, Crystal Lake. Santa Claus comes to town for the parade and stays for the lighting of the community Christmas tree in the Brink Street Market courtyard. The parade starts at West Woodstock and North Caroline streets and heads south to West Crystal Lake Avenue, east to Grant Street, northeast to East Woodstock Street, and southeast to North Williams Street. downtowncl.org.

Theatre 121’s “White Christmas”: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25-26, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” $10-$26. woodstockoperahouse.com.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Run Fox Run 5K: 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Fox Run Golf Links, 333 Plum Grove Road, Elk Grove Village. $25. Register at elkgroveparks.org.

Holiday Pop-up Shop: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 9, at Arts in Bartlett, 215 S. Main St., Bartlett. Local artisans and crafters will be selling unique items. Free. artsinbartlett.org.

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Elara Convention Center, Holiday Inn Crystal Lake, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. Handmade works by local artists, crafters, bakers and chefs. Free. artisan-markets.com.

Holiday Cheers Sips of the Season: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in Elgin. Over 20 downtown businesses offer hot cocoa with festive toppings, warm apple cider, mint mocha, Ponche Navideño, warm tea and more. Order a commemorative Holiday Cheers insulated cup for $25 at downtownelgin.com/hollydays.

Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Village Barn, 2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods. Vendors and businesses will be selling unique and handcrafted items. Free. vhw.org.

Holidays at The Haight: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at The Haight, 166 Symphony Way, Elgin. Sip and shop from a curated collection of over 40 local makers and their goods. It is also one of the 20 stops in downtown Elgin’s annual Sip & Stroll from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free entry. facebook.com/thehaight166.

Santa House Visits: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m. Sundays, and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, at Williams and Brink streets, Crystal Lake. Bring your camera for a visit with Santa in his Santa House. Free. downtowncl.org.

Spring Valley Holiday Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25-26, at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Handcrafted gift items including jewelry, home decorations and more. The Spring Valley Nature Club will be selling food and beverages. Free. parkfun.com.

Fox Lake Festival of Lights: 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Millennium Park, 23 Rollins Road, Fox Lake. Kriss Kringle Winter Market located at the Community Garden Green will be open from 3-6 p.m. The parade is at 5 p.m. at Grant Community High School, 285 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake, followed by the tree lighting at Millennium Park and the opening of the Santa Cottage. foxlake.org.

For King + Country’s “A Drummer Boy Christmas — The 2023 Tour Experience”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $29.99-$205. nowarena.com.

“A Christmas Carol”: Various times and dates from Saturday, Nov. 25, through Dec. 24 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. For ages 5 and older. For tickets, see metropolisarts.com.

Sunday, Nov. 26

Cookies & Churros with Santa: 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at Flores Banquets, 240 N. Throop St., Woodstock. After the annual Woodstock Christmas Parade, enjoy Cookies and Churros with Santa. Free. Sponsored by the City of Woodstock, Hispanic Connections, and the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other sponsors. woodstockilchamber.com.

Itasca Winter Wonderland: 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Usher Park gazebo, 203 S. Walnut, Itasca. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their North Pole companions will join the holiday tree lighting by the village and park district. Music from the Holiday Dickens Carolers, a holiday performance from the Inner Prestige Dancers, and hot chocolate and cookies. Free. itasca.com.

An Evening with Chevy Chase and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.75-$89.75. chicagotheatre.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Luminaria Walk: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 2, at Veteran Acres, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake. Stroll under the stars along the lit trail through Veteran Acres. $1 per person or $5 per family donation appreciated. Donations go toward future Nature Center education programs. crystallakeparks.org/special-events.

Thursday, Nov. 30

Craft & Vendor Fair: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at McHenry Senior Center, 3519 N. Richmond Road, McHenry. Annual craft and vendor fair. (815) 344-3555 or seniorservicesassoc.org.

Discover many more entertainment opportunities here.

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A Community event for all on Dec. 16 at Evergreen Cemetery

Posted in Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights, Signal Hill NSDAR, The Greatest Generation on November 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Evergreen 2023

Families bond at Wreaths Across America event at Evergreen Cemetery. (Courtesy Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR)

By Jacqueline Marcus

Add one more entry to your gift list this year – an hour to honor those who protected your freedom to celebrate as you wish.

Since 2019, the Signal Hill Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), has sponsored Wreaths Across America Day at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.

The first Wreaths Across America Day at Evergreen Cemetery used government-issued grave markers to identify U. S. Military Veterans interred there. In the ensuing years, our genealogists have used public records to identify many more veterans there, and in the process, have written and submitted nearly 250 biographies to the Barrington Area Library Local History website for others interested in family history.

Signal Hill Chapter members have steadily supported this growing project, now offering more wreath laying opportunities for volunteers than any other northwest suburban cemetery.

Wreaths Across America Day includes veterans groups, families, youth organizations, and local business colleagues who join this patriotic remembrance by attending the brief memorial service and placing wreaths on more than 800 identified Veteran graves.

This year, give the gift of time by spending an hour with your community at noon on Saturday, Dec. 16, for the fifth annual Wreaths Across America Day, Evergreen Cemetery, 610 S. Dundee Ave., Barrington.

For information, or to register as a wreath laying volunteer, please visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/IL0113.

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Editorial: On 60th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, a fresh look at the day that changed everything

Posted in Nostalgia, Politics, Resident Spotlights, Topics Of Interest on November 22, 2023| Leave a Comment »

JFK

President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot, Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. Riding with President Kennedy are first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, right, Nellie Connally, second from left, and her husband, Texas Gov. John Connally, far left. The 60th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination, marked on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, finds his family, and the country, at a moment many would not have imagined in JFK’s lifetime. (Jim Altgens/AP)

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

Sixty years ago today, Americans of all stripes were shocked when Walter Cronkite told them, wiping away tears, that John F. Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas.

It verges on trite to say everything changed after that. It also happens to be true. As Stephen Sondheim famously wrote in a song lyric, “Something Just Broke.”

But, that truth has taken on new forms as time has passed. The legacy of JFK has evolved as has its lessons for America.

For the first few decades after the tragedy, the narrative was one of before and after. For many, JFK’s death marked the loss of the country’s innocence, as manifested in the turbulent 1960s, the sexual revolution and a litany of cultural changes.

Where were you when you found out? Virtually every American old enough to remember could tell you.

JFK in those early decades was put on a pedestal. He was seen as inspirational (“Ask not what your country can do for you,” “We choose to go to the moon”) and a symbol of a nation on the rise — of a younger, vigorous, forward-looking country.

In more recent times, the legacy has morphed into something more complicated and in some respects worrisome.

The theorizing rampant on the internet — a technological advancement JFK no doubt would find mind-boggling — in some ways has its origins in the still-raging debate over who was responsible for the assassination.

Read more here.

Related: “Resident pens revealing book on the Kennedys”

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Professor raises concerns over the effect AI could have on 2024 elections

Posted in Deception, Elections, Ethics, Politics, Topics Of Interest on November 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »

AI Elections

The OpenAI logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying output from ChatGPT, March 21, 2023. |Michael Dwyer / AP Photo

By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

A University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy professor is waving a red flag on the impact that artificial intelligence could have on next year’s elections.

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita has written a white paper which he said provides an overview of the potential impact of generative AI on the electoral process. The paper offers specific recommendations for voters, journalists, civil society, tech leaders and other stakeholders to help manage the risks and capitalize on the promise of AI for electoral democracy in the hope of fostering a more productive public discussion of these issues.

“The No. 1 issue that we need to be thinking about are the ways in which AI is going to matter for elections and the ways it poses risks of degrading the information environment for voters,” Bueno de Mesquita said.

The Federal Election Commission has been investigating the possibility of regulating AI-generated images known as “deepfakes” in political ads ahead of next year’s elections.

The Biden administration recently issued an executive order on AI that “will develop effective labeling and content provenance mechanisms, so that Americans are able to determine when content is generated using AI and when it is not.”

Bueno de Mesquita said that misinformation or a “deepfake” close to election day could be damaging “if such a thing gets released and gets released widely on social media or traditional media very close to the election when there is not enough time for responsible actors to figure out what’s true and what’s false and help voters sort through that information.”

More here.

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