Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Commercial Horse Boarding, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Flock Cameras, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Goat Rodeo, HARPS, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, IDOT, Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Longmeadow Parkway, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Overhead, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Roads and Bridges, SOS Party, Taxes, The Other Half, TMI, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Your Barrington Hills on September 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian/Riding Club Commission will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda and Zoom link can be found here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Bicyclists, Capitol News Illinois, E-bikes, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Public Safety, School Districts, Springfield, Traffic on August 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Ben Szalinski | Capitol News Illinois
New rules governing who can use electronic bikes and scooters, including where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on Wednesday.
Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 which establishes regulations on “micromobility” transportation that include age requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be operated. The bill takes effect Jan. 1.
“Technology is evolving, providing expanded mobility options for our neighbors through the rise in popularity of e-bikes and scooters,” bill sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), said in a statement. “But without clear regulations for these devices, we are seeing increased injuries and accidents — jeopardizing community safety.”
The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support on June 1 following several amendments throughout the spring session.
The new law was one of Secretary of State Alex “Ali G”i Giannoulias’ top priorities during the legislative session. The Chicago mayoral candidate said unregulated micromobility devices have become a problem in the city.
“As these high-powered devices become faster and more common on our streets and sidewalks, the stakes are simply too high to leave them unregulated and outpacing public safety,” Giannoulias said in a statement. “This law brings accountability and common-sense safety standards to our roads while helping prevent serious injuries and ensuring riders, parents and communities understand how to safely share the road.”
The state already has some regulations for low-speed electric bikes and scooters, but regulation often varies at the local level. The bill creates new statewide standards for high-speed electric bikes and scooters, electric motor bikes, and electric unicycles and skateboards.
“Municipal leaders have been responding in real time as new electric devices appear on local streets, sidewalks and bike paths,” Illinois Municipal League CEO Brad Cole said in a statement. “A statewide framework gives communities greater consistency while providing local officials and law enforcement with clearer guidance.”
Law enforcement groups were also in support of the bill.
Report continues here.
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), E-bikes, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Horizon Farm, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Simple Minds, Unions, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality on June 4, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian Commission/Riding Club will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
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:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in Algonquin Rd, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Longmeadow Parkway, Massbach Hounds, New Normal?, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, SOS Party, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Engineer, WTF on December 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“The CAG is a collection of community representatives and serves as the focal point for the exchange of information between government entities and the local community. The CAG is made up of representatives of diverse community interests, local government officials, community representatives, property owners and residents, and stakeholders with technical expertise. The CAG assists IDOT in making better decisions on transportation related projects that benefit the community and environment. Members are invited based upon who they represent with the goal being an even distribution from each interest area.
The application window for the Community Advisory Group is now closed.
CAG Meeting #6 was held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 from 10am-12pm. Materials from CAG Meeting #6 are available below.
CAG Meeting #6
Exhibits
Presentation
Editorial notes: The reader who was kind enough to forward this tip noted: “Of considerable note are the currently proposed designs for the Bateman Road and Old Sutton Road intersections: non-signalized Right-In/Right-Out with a U-turn, as depicted (below):”
(Click on image to enlarge)
Also, to appease the Riding Clan, IDOT included a graphic of a, “Potential Pedestrian Underpass,” as seen below:
Last, it’s unclear if the current Village Roads & Bridges Chair (A.B.) was invited to the meeting. We highly doubt it (for obvious reasons).
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Frau Blücher, FRVPC, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Plan Commission, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOUL Harbour Ranch, Taxes, The Other Half, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on December 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian Commission/Riding Club will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Though scheduled to meet quarterly, their last meeting was over a year ago on August 7, 2024.
Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, BraveHearts, Commercial Horse Boarding, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Equestrian Commission, Financial Statements, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Organizations, Overhead, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Village Government on October 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club 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:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in BCFPD, Bicyclists, Citizens for Conservation, County, Entertainment, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, McHenry, Plan Commission, Privacy, Public Safety, Real Estate, Traffic, VBHPD, Zoning Board on July 31, 2025| 2 Comments »
A meeting of the McHenry County Staff Plat Review Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th at 8:30 AM to discuss an application for, “seven (7) Conditional Use Permits and one (1) Variance,” at 11719 Ridge Road.
The item on the agenda reads:
4.1 Z25-0062, Goldman, A-1 to A-1CV, Algonquin Twp
PIN: 20-32-400-006, 11719 Ridge Road, Barrington
Applicant is seeking seven (7) Conditional Use Permits and one (1) Variance
1) Intensive Agritourism with a variance to reduce the minimum acreage from twenty (20) to thirteen and a half (13.5) acres, 2) Agriculture Employee Housing, 3) Reception Facility, 4) Community Center, 5) Day Camp, 6) Art Gallery, and 7) Vacation Rental Facility
A copy of the agenda with attachments can be viewed and downloaded here.
Related: “Commercial development planned off Ridge Road in unincorporated McHenry County”
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Bicyclists, Citizens for Conservation, County, Education, Entertainment, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, McHenry, Plan Commission, Privacy, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Village Board, Zoning Board on July 4, 2025| 7 Comments »
The June Board of Trustees meeting agenda included an item titled, “Proposed Special Use Request in Unincorporated McHenry County.” Recordings from the June meeting have been released, and here is what President Cecola had to say in the item:
“So, um, we got an email and was brought to my attention and I felt it was extremely important to get this out as soon as possible. If you haven’t had a chance to read the packet it’s regarding the property on, on Ridge Road there, right next to the CFC conservation, and they have come to us it says…, people who don’t know, this property is unincorporated McHenry County so we basically have no say in what they do on the property.
Um, but they have come to us for road access, and we are looking in to, and Sean, maybe you can elaborate, uh, the road access, but this is going to be huge, ‘cuz this is, again, a commercial entity if you look at the drawings it’s a pretty big space. It’s massive, and they’re, um, if you haven’t read the…, three hundred, a hundred guests per day, two events per month up to three hundred people twice a month, um, farm store, breakfast lunch dining, ticketed dinners, education classes… . There’s a whole bunch…, yoga…, I know Riff will be there.
But there’s, I mean, it’s a, it’s a…, this is not a small lttle operation, so, uh. For sure going down Ridge Road on a single lane, or you know, twenty-five miles an hour, um they have to have access and they have to get our permission.”
The recordings can be found here, and begin at the 42:41-minute mark for this topic.
A contributor to The Observer obtained documents regarding the development Cecola referred to. They show that a 13.49-acre parcel at 11719 Ridge Road is being planned for development by, “The Gentlemen Farmer LLC,” or “The Farmstead at Hill ‘n Dale.”
According to the plans, the proposed development would include hog sheds (2), a farm store, barns, cottages, barn house etc…
Planned uses include:
Plans state, “At peak programming, we anticipate the following maximum attendance levels:
These numbers represent estimated maximums; most activities will be smaller in scale and vary seasonally.”
A copy of the documentation obtained thus far can be found here.
Posted in Bicyclists, Daily Herald, Public Safety, Traffic on July 3, 2025| 1 Comment »
Kids ride e-scooters near Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights this week. Neighbors have complained to the village board and asked officials to impose restrictions. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
By Christopher Placek | Daily Herald
Controversy and concern over the use of electric bicycles and scooters continues its journey from town to town throughout the suburbs this summer as more municipalities consider putting the brakes on kids from operating the mini vehicles.
After neighboring Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg approved sets of new rules last month, residents in Arlington Heights complained to village leaders this week about children riding up and down darkened streets, paths around Lake Arlington and even the downtown Arlington Alfresco pedestrian area.
“It’s just getting out of control,” said Mindy Bowes, who lives a block north of the 50-acre man-made Lake Arlington. “These kids don’t wear helmets. They don’t stop at stop signs. They don’t stop at the lights either. It’s just getting very dangerous.”
Bowes said her street, Crabtree Drive, and the two-mile walking path that encircles the lake have become popular locales for kids to race motorized bikes and scooters. But she also said dirt bikes and ATVs are becoming commonplace behind her backyard, below the ComEd power lines and at the adjacent soccer fields of Wildwood Park.
“We’re just asking for a little bit of help with these kids,” Bowes told village board members at a meeting Monday night. “I don’t know what else to do. So I’m asking for you to come up with some of the same ideas that are going on in some of these other villages.”
Kids ride e-scooters near Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights this week. Neighbors have complained to the village board and asked officials to impose restrictions. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Under rules that went into effect Tuesday in Elk Grove, anyone who doesn’t have a valid driver’s license — by definition, anyone under 16 — is barred from operating an e-bike, e-scooter or e-skateboard on public streets.
Schaumburg approved a similar measure last month, setting the minimum rider age at 16, requiring riders to wear helmets and use vehicle lights at night, and prohibiting their operation on sidewalks.
In Addison, riders of e-scooters must be at least 18, while anyone aboard a Class 3 e-bike — the fastest type of bike that can go 28 mph — must be 16.
Read more here.
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