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Neighbors & Friends –

Join us as we kick off the America 250 celebration 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with the annual The Land We Love Runthrough Barrington Hills! Brought to you by the Village of Barrington Hills and Cuba Township The Land We Love Run starts at 7:30 am from Cuba Township, and offers 5k & 10k runs and a 2 mile walk.  Come out to enjoy our beautiful Village and to support our Heroes!

Our 5k and 10k 🏃‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️ courses are certified and professionally chip timed.

Compete in the Team Competition 🙌 Put together your team of 3 or more for camaraderie, bragging rights, and to compete for fun prizes!

Police 👮🏻 monitored routes with age-based awards 🥇, and water/aid stations. Stay for the award ceremony, refreshments and fun following the run.

All proceeds to benefit Folds of Honor – Chicago, a National organization with a local presence that provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled Service Members and First Responders. Donations are also being accepted to the Cuba Township Food Pantry, addressing Barrington-area residents’ food insecurity needs.

It’s a HILL of a RUN!
Hope to see you and your friends and colleagues on June 28th! 

You don’t run? Consider volunteering or sponsorship!

Sponsorship levels are:

  • America 250 Sponsor $2,500 Recognition on Website, Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, American 250 Banner, 10 Race Entries, Space for Table/Tent
  • 1776 Sponsor $1,776 Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, 5 Race Entries
  • Liberty Sponsor $1,000 Logo on Race Banner
  • Freedom Sponsor $500 Logo on Water Station Signs

***SPONSORSHIP MUST BE CONFIRMED BY MAY 27th TO GUARANTEE LOGO ON T-SHIRTS***

Click for SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION & FORM

We appreciate you forwarding this invitation to any who might be interested in participating and/or sponsorship.

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By Katlyn Smith | Daily Herald

A fireworks and drone show. A Sousa-heavy municipal band season. A field of flags, many tagged with handwritten notes for those who served.

Strike up the band

The brass and percussion sections of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra promise a “thunderous performance” at Citizens Park amphitheater in Barrington the evening of July 1. The Barrington Lions Club will cook up its Brat Tent Festival from July 1 to 4. The Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet will perform from the stately porch of Barrington’s own White House before the Independence Day parade.

“Barrington is a very patriotic town, and really the highlight of our event season any year is our Fourth of July parade,” said Clancy Potts, the village’s events manager.

Article continues here.

Editorial notes: Barrington 4th of July Parade – “The parade steps off at 10AM from Barrington High School on Saturday, July 4. More details about signing up your organization or business can be found here!”

4th of July Fireworks – “The Barrington Community Fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. from Barrington High School and can be seen from many locations around town.”

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Source

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By Lauren Swanson, Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Join the Forest Preserve District of Kane County in touring our local waterways in a paddling adventure!

The 2026 kayaking series begins with a lake-based basic paddling skills class, followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions for beginners. As the summer progresses, choose increasingly longer and more technical paddles for intermediate skill levels. Each session, participants will receive dry-land instruction on basic kayaking techniques from an experienced instructor.

Afterward, participants will take to the water for a naturalist-led exploration of the fascinating local ecology. Participants meet and park at the take-out location and are shuttled to the put-in location. Participants may choose any number of sessions; you can take one, two or all six.

For all sessions, participants must be 16 years or older and able to:

  1. Hold their breath under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket;
  2. Independently turn from a face-down to a face-up position, keeping head above water;
  3. Effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants; and,
  4. Manage all mobility and personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.

Dates and meeting locations for sessions are below:

  • Session 1: (Novice Skills Training; Less than 1-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30; meeting at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora
  • Session 2: (Beginner; 4-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7; meeting at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve, 50 Airport Road, Elgin
  • Session 3: (Beginner; 4.5-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18; meeting at Ferson Creek Park, off Route 31, east of Wildrose Springs Drive, St. Charles
  • Session 4: (Beginner; 4.5-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2; meeting at Ferson Creek Park, off Route 31, east of Wildrose Springs Drive in St. Charles
  • Session 5: (Intermediate; 7-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5; meeting at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve; 50 Airport Road, Elgin
  • Session 6: (Intermediate; 6 miles paddle with portage): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; meeting at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora

The fee for a single kayak for Session 1 is $69 per person and includes use of kayak, personal flotation device and paddle; it is $89 per person for Sessions 2-6. If you provide your own kayak and equipment, the fee is $45 per person, per session, for sessions 2-6. All fees include shuttle service.

Advance registration is required at least one week prior to the program, with payment required at the time of registration.

To register, visit kaneforest.com/register. Rain will not stop a paddle, but trips may be canceled (with full refund) due to lightning, low air/water temps, or unsafe water levels. For more information, visit kaneforest.com or find the Forest Preserve District on social media by searching @forestpreserve.

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Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Sunday, May 24, 2026 on the fight between Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson over the Bears stadium. | Scott Stantis/For the Chicago Tribune

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

As we witness the current dysfunction between Chicago City Hall and Springfield, we easily forget that for most of the past 60 years Illinois governors were Republicans while Chicago mayors were Democrats.

There was some tension in those relationships. But for the most part those GOP governors and Chicago mayors cooperated effectively on matters of importance to Chicago. Chicago mayors — for the bulk of that time period, their last names were Daley — understood how to prioritize their requests to Springfield for assistance to ensure they could get to “yes.” And GOP governors — Jim Thompson in the 1980s, Jim Edgar for much of the ‘90s and then George Ryan in the early 2000s — understood that a growing and economically strong Chicago was a boon for the entire state.

During Illinois’ brutal budget wars of the 2010s, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel were frequently at odds on a host of issues. But everyone understood the real warring parties at the time were Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. For all the verbal broadsides, no one ever believed Rauner and Emanuel, who were friends for years before that era, couldn’t communicate with each other reasonably even if striking deals was challenging.

Which bring us to right now.

What is there to say about the relationship between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, both Democrats?

What relationship? There doesn’t appear to be any.

The editorial continues here.

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“Honor our nation’s heroes at Barrington’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 25.

The parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial on Park Avenue. It will proceed west on Main Street, turn left on Dundee Avenue, and then head right into Evergreen Cemetery.

A ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery will follow the parade at 11 a.m. Come together with the community to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our nation”

Source: Village of Barrington

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Plan your day at the Barrington Art Festival!

“Welcome the return of summer at the 16th annual Barrington Art Festival, Memorial Day Weekend! Start your family or friend’s day downtown with coffee and breakfast, then soak in unique art from 125+ artists at this long-cherished community tradition.

Join live painting classes, face painting, bubbles, jugglers, caricatures, and a creative stop in the Kids Art Zone. Break for lunch at your favorite local spot, or enjoy a cold beer, lemonade and delicious snacks at the fest. Be sure to look for Kid Friendly Tents and Live Art Demo signs to get interactive with the artists.  Barrington’s great restaurants, cafes and retail stores are open all weekend.

  • Treat yourself to 125+ original artists & live music
  • Enjoy free entry and easy, free street parking
  • Indulge in a beverage and tasty food
  • Take a live painting class at the fest!
  • Stop in the Kids Art Zone – play art fest bingo, spin art, sand sculpture, coloring, drawing & more
  • Become living art in the Face Painting tent!
  • Get your steps in – accessible and easy to walk!
  • Steps from the Barrington Metra Station”

The fair is located at South Cook & Station Streets.

Click here for more info.

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Barrington Village President Mike Moran is focusing on revitalizing the village’s infrastructure during his first term. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

The suburbs saw significant turnover in municipal leadership after the 2025 election.

Eight new leaders assumed the helm of their communities in the Northwest suburbs and Lake County, while 12 took over in DuPage and Kane counties.

Now that these first-term mayors and village presidents are celebrating their anniversaries, many are looking back on a year faced with challenges as diverse as the communities they serve — from budget shocks and staff shake-ups to landing an NFL team.

A big vision for a small town

Barrington Village President Mike Moran, who succeeded longtime President Karen Darch after five years as a trustee and with a background as a trucking firm owner, said there was a learning curve. But he sees the new job as an opportunity to put his stamp on the village, and that has meant focusing on the town’s revitalization.

“How do we rebuild our infrastructure? How do we address those infrastructure needs that are desperate — roads, sewers, wastewater treatment, water systems,” he said.

Moran is especially focused on downtown upgrades. The village is completing a downtown streetscape project, has expanded the communications team and hired a business development staffer. It also has launched a social media campaign called “Where is President Moran” highlighting local businesses.

He also is working to upgrade the village’s public profile — saying “Barrington is open for business” — and to position the community as a hub for surrounding areas, emphasizing that Barrington serves as a church, bar, restaurant and grocery center for nearby towns such as Barrington Hills and Inverness.

Read the full unedited article here.

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Touch A Truck 2026!
Tuesday, May 19, 9:30 AM – Noon | Drop In
Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway
With the Village of Barrington’s Public Works Department
All ages w/caregiver (Anna)

“Get your hard hat, put on a mustache, and get to work exploring the Barrington Public Works department’s fleet of awesome vehicles! Blow the horn, turn the steering wheel, and see what it’s like to drive a BIG rig! Join in a construction-themed story time, and join us in filling a truck with non-perishable food for the Public Works food drive for our two local township food pantries. Hats and mustaches while supplies last!

This event is VERY popular, so consider walking, carpooling, or exploring nearby public parking options. Thanks for your patience – we look forward to seeing you!”

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Submitted by Jody Grimaldi

Festival season begins in Long Grove the only way it knows how: with chocolate. From May 15-17 the village’s iconic Chocolate Fest returns, transforming historic downtown Long Grove into a lively, chocolate-filled celebration that draws visitors from across the region year after year.

Set among colorful historic buildings and anchored by the village’s famous covered bridge, Chocolate Fest offers a weekend that feels both nostalgic and energetic. It’s the kind of place where you can wander with a chocolate treat in hand, discover something new around every corner, and settle in for an afternoon that easily turns into an evening.

Now firmly established as one of the suburbs’ signature spring festivals, Chocolate Fest marks the unofficial start of Long Grove’s event season. It’s a weekend built around indulgence, live music, and community, all set within a charming and walkable downtown.

A weekend built around chocolate

From classic favorites to creative twists, Chocolate Fest is known for its wide range of chocolate-inspired offerings. Visitors can expect everything from chocolate-dipped strawberries and funnel cakes to specialty desserts and inventive treats crafted just for the weekend. Local shops and restaurants join in with their own chocolate-themed menu items, giving guests plenty of reasons to explore the village beyond the main festival areas.

New this year: themed music days

This year introduces a fresh twist with themed music days that shape the energy of each evening:

Friday’s music will have a country theme, with headliner Whiskey Friends, a Morgan Wallen tribute, alongside a full lineup of live performances.

On Saturday it will be a ’90s throwback with tributes to Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins, and more.

Sunday will feature a laid-back, classic rock finale headlined by Mr. Blotto with a Woodstock-inspired set.

Live music will take place across multiple stages throughout downtown, with additional family-friendly programming at the Fountain Square Stage. The full music schedule can be found at longgrove.org.

More than just a sweet tooth

Chocolate Fest delivers a full weekend experience beyond the desserts. Guests can enjoy a classic carnival with rides, kids activities, interactive experiences, and a variety of food and beverage vendors throughout the village. Downtown Long Grove’s more than 30 independently owned shops will be open all weekend, offering everything from handcrafted goods and home décor to clothing, gifts, and specialty items. Many will feature chocolate-themed merchandise and festival specials.

Restaurants, breweries, and tasting rooms also will be in full swing, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks throughout the weekend, with select chocolate-inspired creations added just for the occasion.

All proceeds from this Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association event are directed toward downtown improvement projects such as permanent street lights, maintenance of Covered Bridge Park, entry signs, banners, and free activities for visitors.

Long Grove Chocolate Fest 2026

When: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, May 15; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Where: Downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road
Admission: Tickets are $7 and may be purchased online or at the gate. Gates accept cash or card payments. Children age 12 and younger admitted free. Discounted admission prices are available when purchasing three-day passes online only.
Parking: Free public parking available throughout downtown; ride-shares encouraged. A remote parking lot and free shuttle are available Saturday and Sunday; see the website for a map and details.
Details: longgrove.org/festival/chocolatefest

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