The Village Roads & Bridges Committee meets Tuesday at 2PM. This marks only the second time the committee has met in 2025, and the topic is, “Road Program 2026.”
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Archive for the ‘Dumb and Dumber’ Category
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Board of Health, Clown Car, Dumb and Dumber, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Finance Committee, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Minutes, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on November 17, 2025| 1 Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
- 2025 Estimated Tax Levy—Draft
- [Vote] Ordinance Adopting the Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps Published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Amending the Village’s Flood Damage Prevention Regulations in Title 4, Chapter 5 of the Village Code
- [Vote] Approve Insurance Renewal for General Liability, Property, Auto, Management Liability, Excess Liability, Workers Comp, Bonds and Cyber Coverages
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities
Posted in Crime, Dumb and Dumber, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics on October 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »
While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute
A new safety ranking from WalletHub paints a stark picture for Chicago. Out of 182 U.S. cities, Chicago ranks 161st in overall safety.
For comparison, New York City ranks 117th. Los Angeles ranks 156th. Phoenix ranks 136th.
This poor ranking comes amid growing concerns about violent crime and transit safety. Despite repeated assurances from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson that the city is safe, these numbers tell a different story.
WalletHub evaluated each city on home and community safety, the risk of natural disaster and financial safety.
The only other Illinois municipality included in the ranking was Aurora, which ranked 33rd, much higher in the listing.
Read more here.
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Dumb and Dumber, Economy, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Financial Reports, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Mac's Property Management, OMA, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Roads & Bridges Committee, Special Use Permits, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on October 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
- [Vote] Resolution for Use of Motor Fuel Tax Funds ($190,000.00) on Snow Removal 2026 Resolution 25 –
- [Vote] Ordinance Granting an Amendment to an Existing Special Use Permit to Allow for the Construction of a Multi-Purpose Interior Prayer and Assembly Space at 160 Hawthorne Road Ordinance 25 –
- [Vote] Provide Advice and Consent, and to Approve the President’s Appointment of Marsha McClary to Fill the Unexpired Term of Trustee Darby Hills, Whose Resignation Created a Vacancy in the Office of the Village Trustee and to Assume Her Positions on Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
McDonald’s supports 67,000 jobs in Illinois. Why is Chicago making it hard on businesses?
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Cook, County, Dumb and Dumber, Economy, Education, Entertainment, Letters to the Editor, Overhead, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Unions on October 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »
People walk in Chicago’s downtown on May 2, 2022. Chicago has seen a mass exodus of large companies and now is experiencing a high vacancy rate in office buildings. | Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
By Jon Banner | Published in the Chicago Tribune
We often hear Illinois leaders speak about making the state a magnet for business, but unfortunately, their policy choices tell a different story. By putting new burdens on the companies that fuel the state’s economy, Illinois policymakers are putting the future of our great state at risk.
It could not come at a worse time. In recent years, Chicago has seen a mass exodus of large companies and now is experiencing a 25% vacancy rate in office buildings. Job growth for 2025 ranks 48th in the nation, and Moody’s reported recently that the state has already slipped into recession.
The way Illinois’ leaders are turning away from its business community is a deeply troubling break from the past. For nearly 70 years, McDonald’s has been proud to call Illinois home. From our roots in Des Plaines to our move downtown in 2018, we’ve invested in this state and this city because we believe in its potential. More importantly, because we believe in its people. Across Illinois, McDonald’s creates tens of thousands of jobs, partners with local organizations, and provides employees with the opportunity to further their educations and careers. McDonald’s supports more than 67,000 jobs in Illinois and contributes more than $5.2 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.
This is a moment to consider new approaches to keep and attract companies, and yet lawmakers are doubling down on the policies and politics that will hamstring our economy. Earlier this year, lawmakers in Springfield passed a $55 billion budget that included a last-minute expansion of corporate taxes aimed squarely at global companies headquartered in Illinois. This measure taxes profits that multinational companies make overseas — profits not earned in Illinois but taxed by the state solely because of the address of a company’s headquarters.
Now, the mayor of Chicago is threatening additional taxes in an attempt to plug a billion-dollar budget deficit, most recently a plan called a “head tax,” which would levy more than $250 per employee per year on companies with at least 100 employees. Some have argued that this plan merely reinstates a prior head tax that was eliminated a decade ago. It’s important to remember, though, that the prior tax was $4 per employee per month, and even at that low level, the tax was reversed because of how much it punished the businesses that were successfully creating jobs for the state.
The stated justification for these proposals is that multinational companies will receive tax breaks from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That is false. The act changes many things, but it does not change tax rates for multinational companies.
The mayor characterized his tax plan as “pro-business” because the proceeds will purportedly be used for public safety. We strongly support increasing support for law enforcement, which is why our company was a leadership donor behind the Civic Committee’s $100 million investment to fight crime. Between the taxes we pay and the voluntary donations we make, McDonald’s already invests millions each year into public safety for the city of Chicago.
To be clear, this is not about skirting responsibility or asking for special treatment. McDonald’s pays taxes in every state and every country where we operate. But the proposals being made in Springfield and Chicago are making Illinois an outlier — one of the few places choosing to disincentivize growth by targeting its most globally competitive and recognized companies.
Aside from the unprecedented and punitive measures themselves, what’s most concerning is the way leaders are shutting out companies that have long bolstered Illinois’ economy. Rather than include the business community in discussions about solutions, we have been blindsided by backroom political deals. Rather than being engaged as a cherished community asset and a force for economic development, large businesses like ours are too often demonized by local leaders.
By targeting long-standing economic partners as a means of scoring short-term political points, these tax proposals only hurt communities in Illinois. If implemented, they would mean fewer jobs across the state. They would mean fewer investments in the communities in which we live, work and serve.
Gov. JB Pritzker has been a strong ally to the business community, and we’ve applauded his ambitious agenda to foster business growth. However, if implemented, these policies would undermine his plans and reinforce the stubborn external perception that an Illinois address is a business liability. The governor cannot be the sole champion for business; he needs partnership from the state legislature and city of Chicago.
We’ve been part of this state’s legacy of innovation and resilience for decades, and Illinois has been part of McDonald’s story since the beginning. But long-term success requires long-term thinking and genuine collaboration. Ultimately, corporations have a choice of where they are headquartered. I hope state and city lawmakers will rethink their approach to partnership with policies that reward investment in Illinois and Chicago — not drive it away.
Jon Banner serves as McDonald’s Corp.’s executive vice president and global chief impact officer. He oversees the government relations, public policy, communications, sustainability and social impact, global security, inclusion, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities teams.
Related: “Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $21 per employee corporate ‘head tax’,” “Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit,” “DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained,” “Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive,” “Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills”
Raging Democrats make extraordinary ‘Civil War’ claim during divisive ‘No Kings’ speeches
Posted in Cook, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Elections, Immigration, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, Unions on October 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited the crowd on Saturday by telling liberals to be ‘ready to defend this democracy’ and to be ‘ready to fight fascism’ | Photo courtesy Reuters
By SOPHIE GABLE and ALYSSA GUZMAN | Daily Mail
The Chicago mayor accused President Donald Trump of wanting a ‘Civil War’ rematch during a No Kings protest.
Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited the crowd on Saturday by telling liberals to be ‘ready to defend this democracy’ and to be ‘ready to fight fascism.’
‘Are you prepared to destroy authoritarianism once and for all? We’ll let the world hear you, no kings!’ he said in an impassioned speech.
He warned Chicago residents to be prepared for a ‘rematch of the Civil War.’
‘The attempt to divide and conquer this nation will not prevail because when the people are united, justice always prevails,’ he said.
‘If my ancestors, as slaves, can lead the greatest general strike in the history of this country, taking it to the ultra-rich and big corporations, we can do the same today.’
The 49-year-old politician promised the crowd that the liberal hotspot would remain at the forefront of the resistance against the Trump Administration.
Read more here.
Editorial note: Lori Lightfoot’s looking pretty good in hindsight lately…
Related: “Mayor Johnson’s 6% Approval Shows: Race-Baiting Can’t Cover up Epic Public Safety Failure”
Editorial: Chicago budget should not cut mounted police nor sell off their horses
Posted in Animal Welfare, Chicago Tribune, Dumb and Dumber, OP/Ed, Politics, Preckwinkle's Rules of Order on October 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Chicago Police Department’s mounted unit takes part in Chicago’s Columbus Day parade along State Street on Oct. 13, 2025. | Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Is Chicago really going to sell off Ella French’s horse?
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
As Mayor Brandon Johnson prepares to give his budget address Thursday, one idea should get tossed aside: eliminating Chicago’s mounted police unit.
We make this argument with the full knowledge that Johnson must close a projected $1.15 billion deficit. And we’ve said many times that Chicago’s fiscal woes stem less from a lack of revenue than from a chronic inability to control spending.
But Chicagoans tell us they want to see investments in public safety. A little goodwill doesn’t hurt, either, and that’s one of the main functions of the mounted police.
In August, Johnson’s Chicago Financial Future Task Force recommended disbanding the mounted police unit and selling off the horses.
That’s a bad idea, and we doubt it’d gain support in the City Council. We’re not sure if it’ll find its way into the mayor’s budget proposal, but we sure hope not.
“If there’s any discussion of getting rid of the CPD mounted unit, I will raise hell,” Ald. Matt O’Shea told us, and he added that the idea of selling the horses is especially absurd.
“You don’t sell an old horse,” he said, noting some of the horses were donated, not bought, to begin with.
Officers Maria Kuc and Syed Kazmi wash and brush horses on Feb. 6, 2025, in the Chicago Police Department’s mounted unit stables at the South Shore Cultural Center. | Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Operating under the Special Functions division of the Chicago Police Department at a cost of about $2.7 million, the Mounted Patrol Unit patrols parks, the Loop, the lakefront and major shopping districts — providing visibility, deterrence and mobility where foot or vehicle patrols fall short. It also plays a major role in crowd management at large events, such as parades, protests and festivals, allowing officers to have better views above the crowd to spot potential trouble.
Read more here.
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Appointments, Aunt Blabby, BCFPD, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Clown Car, Dumb and Dumber, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Finance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Jewel-Osco, Minutes, OMA, OP/Ed, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on September 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
- [Vote] Accept the Audit Report FY 2024 – Eccezion
- [Vote] An Ordinance Adopting Zoning Regulations on Solar Energy Systems to Be Provided in Title 5 of the Village Code Ordinance 25 -10 (tabled from the Board of Trustees Meeting August 25, 2025)
- [Vote] An Ordinance Amending the Village’s Tree Preservation Regulations in Title 4, Chapter 6 of the Village Code Ordinance 25-11 (tabled from the Board of Trustees Meeting August 25, 2025)
- [Vote] Resolution Authorizing the Replacement of an Overhead Door for Village Property Located at 120 W. Algonquin Road Resolution 25 –
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Related: “Barrington Board votes unanimously to approve the Claremont residential subdivision proposal”
Editorial note: Darby Hills, “…formally submitted her letter of resignation from her position as Trustee for the Village of Barrington Hills, effective September 1, 2025.” Unfortunately, we cannot cite anything of any significance she contributed in her 3.5 years seated on the Board of Trustees and that is a pity.
Parents call for Algonquin-based District 300 board president to resign after social media post about Charlie Kirk death
Posted in 300, Conflict of interest, Dumb and Dumber, Education, Elections, Ethics, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Parents and community members hold a protest outside the District 300 administration office in Algonquin to call for the resignation of District 300 Board President Nancy Zettler (inset) over her Friday remarks regarding the Charlie Kirk assassination. | Photo: Kane County GOP; Inset: Provided
By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner
A protest was held and community members are calling for the resignation of the Algonquin-based District 300 school board president over her social media remarks about the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Nancy Zettler, the Board President for Community Unit School District 300, shared a Facebook post on her personal profile from Qasim Rashid, a fellow Democrat and Chicago-area resident.
Rashid reflected on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and said that he extends his empathy to Kirk’s family despite disagreeing with his politics and with him as a person.
Parents and community members hold a protest outside the District 300 administration office in Algonquin to call for the resignation of District 300 Board President Nancy Zettler over her Friday remarks regarding the Charlie Kirk assassination. | Photo: Kane County GOP
In sharing the post, Zettler said, “The first thing I thought when I heard this today was ‘Karma, it’s a $itch.’ Then I read this. The author, Qasim Rashid, says it best.”
Parents in the school district took to social media against Zettler for making the comment, saying it was “hateful” while calling for her removal from the board.
A protest was held on Monday morning outside the District 300 administration office at 2550 Harnish Drive in Algonquin.
More here.
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Clown Car, County, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Going green, Heritage and Environs Committee, Hill ‘n Dale Farm, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Disconnection, McHenry, Minutes, Open Meetings Act, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Reports, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on July 28, 2025| 1 Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Items on their agenda include:
- [Vote] An Ordinance Adopting Zoning Regulations on Solar Energy Systems to Be Provided in Title 5 of the Village Code Ordinance 25 –
- [Vote] An Ordinance Amending the Village’s Tree Preservation Regulations in Title 4, Chapter 6 of the Village Code Ordinance 25 –
- [Discussion] Proposed Special Use Request in Unincorporated McHenry County*
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
*“Commercial development planned off Ridge Road in unincorporated McHenry County“
Related: “Barrington luxury home proposal draws criticism from plan commissioners, residents, park district,” “Barrington Plan Commission Public Hearing tomorrow night regarding planned 88 single-family residential homes at former PepsiCo site,” “Barrington posts further information on proposed Claremont development,” “Barrington posts Public Hearing notice regarding proposed 88 home development at former PepsiCo site,” “88 custom home development planned for former PepsiCo Research & Development Center property in Barrington”
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