Posted in Entertainment on April 23, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Emmylou Harris, Graham Nash – Sunday July 26
“Tickets for Ravinia Festival’s 2026 season are now on sale! With the highly anticipated opening of the new Hunter Pavilion, 50+ artist debuts, and 90+ concerts, this summer at Ravinia is shaping up to be one of our most exciting seasons yet!
Don’t miss your chance to grab tickets for all of the summer’s hottest events! Tickets are going fast, so head on over to ravinia.org and get your tickets before it’s too late!”
Posted in Cost of Living, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Entertainment, Fox News, Overhead, Politics, Unions on April 19, 2026| 2 Comments »
Chicago Mayor claims restaurant industry is ‘tied to slavery’
By Elaine Mallon | Fox News
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson linked the restaurant industry to “slavery” Wednesday as he defended his push to eliminate the tipped wage, doubling down after surviving a City Council effort to block the policy.
Johnson’s remarks came after the Chicago City Council failed to override his veto of a measure that would have halted the city’s phaseout of the subminimum wage for tipped workers — a policy set to raise base pay to the full minimum wage by 2028 that is opposed by restaurant owners who warn it could drive up prices and cut jobs.
He called on Chicagoans to “challenge city council not to do stuff like take wages away from Black and Brown people,” saying that most workers in the service industry who rely on tips are minorities.
“You just watched the entire city council, in transparency, try to take wages away from the very people who are part of an industry that has its ties to slavery is hiding from that,” Johnson said. “I am boldly declaring that we need reparations in this city, and that’s why I’m funding it.”
City aldermen voted last month to end the wage increase for tipped workers, but Johnson vetoed it.
Restaurant owners and associations have pushed back on the city’s phaseout of the subminimum wage, saying it will shrink their already tight profit margins. Chicago’s City Council failed to meet the 34-vote requirement to overturn the phaseout.
Johnson’s comments came in response to a question from a person who claimed that Johnson’s Reparations Task Force was not in compliance with Illinois state law, which mandates that all public bodies hold public meetings. Johnson denied the assertion that his task force, which he launched in June 2024, was not being transparent with the public.
Article continues here.
Posted in E-bikes, Entertainment, Politics, Press Release, School Districts, Springfield, Topics Of Interest on April 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Photo by: Martin Schutt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Illinois Senators (Wednesday) approved a sweeping statewide safety initiative spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to address the growing dangers posed by unregulated high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other powerful electric transportation devices operating on streets, bike lanes and sidewalks across the state.
The initiative focuses on higher-powered, higher-speed devices that fall outside current state definitions or remain largely unregulated, including certain e-bikes, e-motos and electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles. Illinois currently has no laws governing e-bikes and other micromobility devices that exceed 28 mph. Many of these devices have motors that exceed 750 watts and can travel well beyond 28 mph – in some cases over 50 mph – yet are not clearly addressed under existing law.
Illinois will maintain its current three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motor assistance up to 28 mph – a framework already used in 46 other states. Under the proposal, those classifications would remain unchanged except for new age requirements that a rider on a Class 1 or Class 2 must be at least 15 years old.
Under the legislative framework:
If signed into law, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2027. E-bikes and e-motos purchased prior to that date would be exempt from the title requirement but must still be registered.
Along with the legislation, the Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign will deliver:
The initiative is part of the Secretary of State’s broader effort to modernize transportation safety laws and respond proactively to emerging technologies before preventable injuries and fatalities continue to rise.
The full release can be read here.
Posted in Clown Car, Education, Entertainment, Politics on March 30, 2026| 4 Comments »
“Horse kicks No Kings protester after he tries to block LAPD with his body—now some are calling for a lawsuit, saying LAPD shouldn’t be training horses to kick protesters
A protester steps directly in front of officers on horseback, attempting to stop them with his body.
Moments later, the horse kicks out, sending him to the ground.”
Find Facebook post here.
Posted in Entertainment, Road construction, Taxes, Traffic on March 28, 2026| 1 Comment »
Downtown Streetscape Enhancements Begin Next Week
Exciting improvements are coming to downtown Barrington! Beginning Tuesday, March 31, Phase 1 of the streetscape enhancement project will kick off along Cook Street, Station Street and the northwest segment of Park Avenue.
The first few days of work will include preparation work, coordination with businesses, marking out project scope, sign removal, and staging. Demolition work is expected to begin on or around April 2, starting on the east side of South Cook Street.
Attachment is a revised phasing plan, which differs slightly from the one presented at the neighborhood meeting. The location of Phase 1 work is shown in orange.
This phase includes the removal of pavers, installation of new sidewalks and clay brick accents, relocation of the trash enclosure on Station Street, and enhanced landscaping throughout, enhancing the look and feel of our downtown.
Construction will continue over the next few months, and the project is anticipated to be complete by the end of June (weather permitting).
All impacted businesses and restaurants remain open! Your continued support during construction makes a big difference to our community.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the construction updates page on the Village’s website or watch for email notifications.
Posted in Barrington High School, Chicago Sun*Times, Entertainment on March 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Out March 27, “Almost There” is the Barrington pop-punk band’s first album in 18 years, and a lot of the tracks memorialize the moments when the city felt like the band’s oyster.
By Selena Fragassi | Chicago Sun*Times
The Academy Is… has a new album, “Almost There,” coming out March 27 on indie label I Surrender Records. | Jonathan Weber
As William Beckett took the stage at Madison Square Garden in 2024, it all came rushing back.
The lead vocalist of The Academy Is… was there to join old pals Fall Out Boy for a special cover of the Barrington pop-punk band’s song “Slow Down.” But despite playing the holy grail of concert venues, Beckett was thinking about the small suburban Chicago basements, VFW halls and Fireside Bowl where the two groups spent many nights during a time when the emo/pop-punk scene felt like the actual soundtrack of the city.
“It was just so cool to reconnect with them and to see how much hasn’t changed from the VFW Hall days,” Beckett recently said during a Zoom call from his home in Barrington, where the band is getting ready to release its new album “Almost There.” Out March 27, it’s the band’s first album in 18 years, and a lot of the tracks memorialize the moments when the city felt like the band’s oyster.
He’s not far from Barrington High School, where The Academy Is… was founded in 2003 and soon wound up on a roller coaster of MTV and Warped Tour loops with aughts hits like “About a Girl” and “We’ve Got A Big Mess On Our Hands.” In fact, a lot of it is thanks to Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, who championed The Academy Is… early on and helped to get the band signed to tastemaker label Fueled By Ramen. The two acts have been closely associated ever since. But for Beckett, that scene still feels as raw as day one. “It still exists in this way that is almost untouchable, like it exists beyond time.”
It’s a feeling that he and his The Academy Is… bandmates (bassist Adam Siska, guitarist Mike Carden and drummer Andy Mrotek) bottle up in their daydreamy new single “2005.” The lyrics throw it back to that summer, with Beckett singing about driving downtown while listening to Saves The Day’s 2001 opus “Stay What You Are.” At the same time, he wonders about bringing “TAI back from the dead,” which they effectively do with “Almost There.”
The seeds for the album were planted during a series of recent reunion shows, including Riot Fest 2022 and the elder millennial gathering When We Were Young in 2023 — the band’s first since calling it quits in 2015. And the band members found themselves looking back at the good ol’ days and wondering if they ever really appreciated it all.
Article continues here.
Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment on March 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Daily Herald staff report
Grab your baskets and get ready to hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny at events across the suburbs.
Saturday, March 21
Adult Egg Hunt: 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at Berens Park baseball fields, 493 N. Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Adults 18 and older can hunt for eggs filled with treats. Food trucks and raffle. Free, but registration is required. epd.org.
Bunny Burrow Express: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays, March 21, 28 and April 4, at Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin. Take a ride to the Easter Bunny’s “secret burrow” in vintage antique trolley cars, where there will be plenty of hidden eggs to find. All the little ones will receive a basket of their own to collect any magical eggs that are found. $30 per person. Approximately 75- minute ride. Boarding from Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. Advance tickets: foxtrolley.org.
Friday, March 27
Kids Mermaid Egg Hunt: 6-7 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Lakeview Fitness, 700 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Kids 8-12 can hunt for eggs in the pool. Bring a waterproof basket or bag. $3-$4. vhparkdistrict.org.
Bubbly Bunny Egg Hunt: 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Adults-only flashlight egg hunt. Eggs will be filled with raffle tickets, candy and special prizes. Light snacks and beverages before the hunt. Dress for the weather. $20-$35 Register: gepark.org.
Flashlight Egg Hunt: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., West Chicago. Flashlight egg hunt at Reed-Keppler Park, then head to the ARC Center to redeem your eggs for prizes and visit with the Bunny. $10-$12 or $13 day of. Register: we-goparks.org.
Flashlight Egg Hunt: 8 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Randall Oaks Park, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Kids 9-14 should bring a flashlight and a bag to gather eggs filled with candy and prizes. There will be s’mores by the bonfire. $10-$15. Register: dtpd.org.
Saturday, March 28
Kids can search for eggs at Windy Acres Farm in Geneva. “Springtime at Windy Acres” returns March 28-29 and April 3-4. Shaw Media, April 7, 2023
Springtime at Windy Acres: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, and Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, at Windy Acres Farm, 37W446 Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva. Visit the Easter Bunny, baby petting zoo animals and Choo-Choo Express. Egg hunt is at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Doughnut decorating class and kids’ flower classes all day. $15 for kids and $7 for adults. Tickets: windyacresfarmstand.com.
Geneva Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt: Seatings at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Persinger Rec Center gym, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Pancake breakfast sponsored by Buttermilk and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Bring your camera. Free egg hunt follows at 10 a.m. outside. $7 or $10 for nonresidents. Register: genevaparks.org.
Breakfast with the Bunny & Easter Egg Hunt: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington. A catered breakfast followed by an egg hunt. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Registration deadline: March 21. $20-$25 per child, $15-$19 per adult. barringtonparkdistrict.org.
Doggie Egg Hunt: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Hartmann Park, 292 Oakwood Road, Vernon Hills. Dogs can hunt for eggs filled with treats. Each dog must be leashed and registered by an adult 18 or older. $3-$4. vhparkdistrict.org.
Dundee Township Egg Hunt: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at Randall Oaks Recreation Center outdoor field, 500 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. For kids 2-8. Space is limited; preregistration is required. Arrive 10 minutes early for check-in. If it rains, the hunt will move inside at Randall Oaks Recreation Center. $5-$9. Register: dtpd.org/egg-hunts.
60th annual Easter egg hunt: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Designated egg hunt areas for kids 9 or younger. Bring baskets. Arrive 15 minutes early. Each child is limited to 10 eggs. Rain or shine. stcparks.org.
Kids can look for eggs and then explore the Arlington Heights Historical Museum Saturday, March 28. Daily Herald file photo, March 2024
Community Egg Hunt Extravaganza: Time slots available at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon Saturday, March 28, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Kids 10 and younger can search the museum grounds for treat-filled eggs. After the egg hunt, explore the museum with a scavenger hunt, make a craft and take a picture with the Bunny. Registration required. $4-$10. ahpd.org.
Doggie Egg Hunt & Bunny Photos: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at South Paw Dog Park, 129 W. National, West Chicago. Dogs can search for hidden, treat-filled eggs scattered throughout the park. Prizes, games, and activities for pups and their owners. Registration ends March 23. $8-$10. Register: we-goparks.org/special-events.
Doggie Eggs-travaganza: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Canine Corner Dog Park, 0S761 Old York Road, Elmhurst. Dogs can hunt for treat-filled eggs hidden throughout the park. Dogs who discover a “Golden Egg” will win a special prize basket. All dogs must be accompanied by a person at least 16 years old. Free, but registration is required at epd.org.
Hampshire Easter Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. sharp Saturday, March 28, by the courts at Seyller Park, 400 E Jefferson St., Hampshire. Hosted by the Hampshire Township Park District and Ella Johnson Memorial Library. Arrive early to watch the Easter Bunny arrive on the Hampshire Fire Protection District fire engine at 9:45 a.m. Then line up on the walking path to hunt for eggs. Afterward, take a photo and visit with the Bunny in the community room. Kids’ games and activities on the courts. Lunch will be available from Waffadilla. Free; no registration required. facebook.com/hampshireparkdistrict.
Hanover Township’s “Hoppin’ for Hanover”: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28, at Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin. Free egg hunts by age groups: ages 2-4 from 10:30-10:45 a.m.; 5-7 from 11-11:15 a.m.; and age 8-10 from 11:30-11:45 a.m. Bring a bag or basket. Games, pictures with the Bunny and crafts will be offered during each session. Registration is not required. Donate canned goods for the township’s food pantry. For information, call (847) 888-8329.
Meet the Easter Bunny at the Grayslake Easter Egg Hunt March 28 at the Aquatic Football/Soccer Field in Central Park. Daily Herald file photo, March 2023
Grayslake Easter Egg Hunt: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Aquatic Football/Soccer Field in Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Egg hunt with separate zones for age groups ranging from 1-10. Registration deadline: March 21. $7-$9. glpd.com.
Doggie Egg Hunt: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at River Bend Community Park, 6N517 Geneva Ave., St. Charles. $5 per dog. Dogs can hunt for eggs filled with treats and prizes. All dogs must be on a nonretractable leash (max 6 feet), current on all vaccinations, wearing tags, and accompanied by at least one person 16 or older. Several pet vendors will be on-site. Register: stcparks.org/events.
Sunday, March 29
Bunny Day: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny, who will be visiting between 9:30 a.m. and noon and 1-4 p.m. Plus, take a scenic hayride through the park and play spring games. Zoo admission rates apply. dtpd.org.
Swimming for Eggs: 2-3:45 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Rakow Center Indoor Pool, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. Kids ages 1 to 12 can hunt for eggs in the pool; bags supplied. Check-in 15 minutes before the event begins. The event will start promptly. Your child should be poolside, wearing swimming attire, and ready to go. $5-$9. Register: dtpd.org.
Pool Egg Hunt: Time slots at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Arlington Ridge Center, 660 N. Ridge Ave., Arlington Heights. Kids 2-7 can visit the Easter Bunny and collect candy-filled eggs in the Family Activity Pool. Bags are provided. Kids younger than 4 must be accompanied in the water by an adult. $13-$16. ahpd.org.
Thursday, April 2
Springtime Glow-up Game Night and Flashlight Egg Hunt: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Persinger Rec Center, 3507 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Team up or go solo in a Jumbo Screen Video Game Tournament and compete for prizes. Then grab a flashlight and hunt for glowing eggs. Includes music and snacks. $10 or $15 for nonresidents. Register: genevaparks.org.
Twilight Egg Hunt: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Lippold Park Boncosky Fields, 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with games, food trucks and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, followed by staggered egg hunts for kids 3-11 starting at 7 p.m. Participants must bring their own flashlight and basket. Held rain or shine. Free. crystallakeparks.org.
Grayslake Flashlight Egg Hunt: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Alleghany Park, 31999 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake. Hunt for eggs filled with candy, toys and prizes outside in the dark. Participants must bring flashlights and baskets. Register by March 26. $7 for residents, $9 for nonresidents. glpd.com.
Friday, April 3
Kids, age 5 or under, can join in spring-themed activities as part of Glen Ellyn Park District’s Eggs-traordinary Egg Hunt on Friday, April 3, at Maryknoll Park in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of Glen Ellyn Park District
Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt: 9-9:30 a.m. Friday, April 3, at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn. Open to individuals with special needs of all ages. Follow an accessible trail in search of colored eggs, nonfood goodies and allergen-free prizes. The hunt will feature smaller crowds, low noise volumes and a quiet zone. $10-$15. Register: gepark.org
Easter Egg Scavenger “Hunt-ley”: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 3, starting at the Huntley Area Chamber, 1 Union Special Plaza, Huntley. This family-friendly adventure takes participants on a route through local businesses to solve clues and win prizes. Plus, photos ops with the Easter Bunny. $5 per child. Register: huntleychamber.org.
Dog Egg Hunt: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Hoffman Park on West Main Street, Cary. Pups can hunt for eggs at the dog park, with small dogs hunting from 5:30-6 p.m. and medium to large dogs hunting from 6:30-7 p.m. Owners must stay with their dogs and should bring a basket and a camera for photos with the Bunny. $7 per dog. carypark.com
Flashlight Egg Hunt and Hike: 6-7:45 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles. All ages can join in a hike through the natural area. Bring a flashlight and basket. $12. Register: stcparks.org/events.
Pooched Pictures with the Bunny: 6-7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at municipal annex, 1 W. State St., South Elgin. Bring a camera for photos with your dog. Free. Register for a time slot: southelgin.com
Easter Candy Hunt Under the Stars: 8-9 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Lions Park softball fields, Silver Lake Road north of 3 Oaks Road, Cary. Kids can hunt for candy and golden eggs with prizes inside. Bring a flashlight and a basket. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures. $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. carypark.com.
Saturday, April 4
Spring Egg-Stravaganza: 7:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon, Chicago. Egg hunts for kids 1-8 across six zones of varying difficulty. Tickets include unlimited rides on the Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure, plus face painting, music, photos with the Easter Bunny, animal chats with zoo experts and the Bunny Parade. $25 or $20 for members. Register: lpzoo.org.
Elmhurst Park District Egg Hunt: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Berens Park, 493 N. Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Food trucks, yard games and visits with the Easter Bunny. Kids 2-10 can search the fields for eggs; adults must accompany participants. Free. Register for a time slot. epd.org.
No just one, but two Easter bunnies were part of the Long Grove Bunny Hop on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Long Grove. This year’s event takes place April 4. Daily Herald file photo, March 2024
Long Grove Bunny Hop: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Historic Downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Hosted by Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, the Bunny Trail features treat-filled eggs at participating stops, photos with the Easter Bunny, fire truck tours with local first responders, face painting and coloring stations, and festive photo opportunities throughout downtown. Bunny Trail maps available at event tents. Free. longgrove.org/festival/bunny-hop
Palatine Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, outdoors at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road in Palatine. Over 3,000 Easter eggs for kids to find, which they can exchange for a goodie bag of candy. Children up to age 9 invited. Also, arts and crafts, music, and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts will occur approximately every 20 minutes. Registration is available on the day-of, but they recommend preregistration by noon March 30 via tinyurl.com/PalJayceesEggHunt.
Sleepy Hollow Service Club Easter Egg Hunt: noon Saturday, April 4, at Sabatino Park, 145 Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. The event features several age categories, including a special needs group, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate. Children will scramble to find eggs left by the Easter Bunny, with some containing tickets for grand prizes. The Easter Bunny also will pose for pictures. Every participant will leave with the candy from their collected eggs and a few extra candy bars. Free. sleepyhollowil.org
Find more here.
Posted in Entertainment on March 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »
ShamROCK the Fox kicks off Friday
Friday, March 13
ShamROCK the Fox: 5-11 p.m. Friday, March 13; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 14; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Miller Point Park, 1202 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. Heated festival tent with live music, food trucks and family activities. Fox River dyeing at 10 a.m. Saturday, the ShamROCK the Fox Parade at noon Saturday, and a fireworks finale at 7 p.m. Sunday. Music lineup: on Friday, Members Only (1980s tribute) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Rumor Hazit from 9-11 p.m.; on Saturday, The Messengers from 12:30-2:30 p.m., The Abby Kay Band from 3:15-5:15 p.m., Southbound from 6-8 p.m. and Beyond the Blonde from 9-11 p.m.; and on Sunday, Jess Irish Piano Bar from noon to 2 p.m. and Fast Times from 5-7 p.m. Free. naturallymchenrycounty.com.
Saturday, March 14
Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove goes green for its annual St. Paddy’s Shindig Saturday, March 14. There will be green beer flowing all day, with the party kicking off at 9 a.m. with authentic Full Irish Bunnies (a Pullman loaf filled with bangers, bacon, mushrooms and English beans and topped with an egg). Irish folk dancing from McNulty’s School of Irish Dance and live music from New Vintage Irish Strings will keep you entertained.
Breakfast with the Bunny: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Cary Park District Community Center, 255 Briargate Road, Cary. Family-friendly pancake breakfast and Easter egg coloring. Bring a camera. $29 for residents and $44 for nonresidents; free for kids younger than 1. carypark.com.
St. Patrick’s Party: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille, 5517 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake. Sixth annual family-friendly celebration features Irish festivities including a minimarket, fire pits and cornhole. Traditional Irish bagpiper from 11:30 a.m. to noon; live music from Jimmy Marquis from noon to 1:15 p.m. and 1:45-3:30 p.m.; and the Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance Irish Dancers from 1:15-1:45 p.m. $5. thequarrycablepark.com.
Join in the shenanigans at the 14th annual Durty Nellie’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Saturday, March 14, in Palatine. It begins with a traditional Irish breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m., followed at 11 a.m. by the annual Durty St. Pat’s Parade, which steps off at Wood and Oak Streets and ends at Durty Nellie’s. The after party will kick off at noon featuring traditional Irish fare, music, dancing and more.
St. Patrick’s Celebration at The Dole: 2-11 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at The Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Family-friendly festivities including appearances by a leprechaun, traditional bagpipers and Irish dance troupes from 2-5 p.m.; live music from The Lilies of the Midwest from 2-3:30 p.m.; acoustic performance by Brett Gaertner from 4-6 p.m.; The King of Mars from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and a 21+ After Party in Lou’s Lounge featuring DJ Dave of Entertainment Media from 8:30-11 p.m. Open to all ages until 7 p.m.; 21 and older after 7 p.m. Food and beverages for purchase. Free, but reserve tickets in advance. thedole.org.
“An Irish Heartbeat — A Tribute to Van Morrison”: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Soundtrack for a Generation presents a 10-piece band led by singer and harpist Derrick Procell. The show covers Van Morrison’s career, from soul and jazz to Celtic folk. Tickets start at $53. rauecenter.org.
The Hampton Social is starting St. Patrick’s Day weekend with daytime drink specials until 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14. Specials include half off well drinks, $6 Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra and $10 Jameson shots. They have suburban locations in South Barrington, Burr Ridge and Skokie.
Tuesday, March 17
The Greggory in South Barrington will be serving up Irish flavors Tuesday, March 17, adding Guinness stew and a hearty corned beef sandwich to the mix, in addition to the signature corned beef bites from the bar bites menu. They’ll also be pouring green beer, Irish coffee, Guinness cans and Bushmills Irish whiskey flights. A local bagpiper will perform Irish tunes starting at 6 p.m.
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Elections, Entertainment, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Unions on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after a roundtable about housing in his ceremonial office following his annual State of the State and budget address, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
By Olivia Olander | Chicago Tribune
As Indiana and Illinois lawmakers spar over where the Chicago Bears should build a new stadium, even Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged Friday that the team’s next home is unlikely to rise within Chicago’s city limits.
“I think now there’s a common understanding by most of the (Illinois) General Assembly that they’re not going to be able to build in the city of Chicago,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker’s pronouncement came a day after Indiana lawmakers took another step toward potentially luring the Chicago Bears across the border to Hammond, as a key Indiana House committee approved a plan to create an agency that would build a new stadium for the team.
The vote more firmly pits Indiana versus Illinois as the Bears weigh a move from Soldier Field, their home for more than half a century. And given the lack of movement on any stadium projects near Soldier Field or elsewhere in Chicago, Pritzker’s latest comments suggest that Illinois’ only viable option is the land the Bears own in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.
“For at least a year and a half, there has been a significant effort by the Bears as well as by Chicago lawmakers and others to try to figure out if the Bears could build what they need to build in the city of Chicago,” Pritzker said Friday. “They looked, and they, I think, gave the old college try, so to speak, to try to find a place within the city of Chicago, and they couldn’t.”
Article continues here.
Posted in Economy, Elections, Entertainment, Girlie man, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, The Washington Free Beacon, Topics Of Interest, Unions, Wall Street Journal on February 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »
J.B. Pritzker (Scott Olson/Getty Images), Chicago Bears play the Carolina Panthers (via Wikimedia Commons)
By Ira Stoll | Washington Free Beacon
The latest business to pick up and leave the high-tax, high-regulation, high-crime nightmare of Illinois may be its iconic professional football franchise.
The governor of Indiana, Mike Braun, announced Thursday morning that a “framework” had been reached for a final deal that would move the Chicago Bears about 20 miles south from Soldier Field to Hammond, Ind.
“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears,” Braun said. “The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we’ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers. We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.”
A statement from the Bears said in part, “We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe.”
Braun, Huston, and Mishler are all Republicans. The governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, is a Democrat and aspiring 2028 presidential candidate, and Democrats also control both houses of the State Legislature in Springfield. The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, is a tax-raising leftist who was elected in 2023 over the more moderate Paul Vallas.
So many businesses and people have left the Prairie State that the Illinois Policy Institute, a center-right research group, calls it the “Illinois Exodus.” “One of the major factors pushing businesses away from the state is Illinois’ unfriendly tax climate,” the institute said in a 2025 analysis. Companies that have moved headquarters out of the state in recent years include Citadel, which moved to the Free State of Florida along with its founder and CEO Ken Griffin; Boeing, which moved to Virginia; and Caterpillar, which moved to Texas. When Griffin left in 2022, he told the Wall Street Journal that crime in Chicago was part of the reason: “I’ve had multiple colleagues mugged at gunpoint. I’ve had a colleague stabbed on the way to work. Countless issues of burglary. I mean, that’s a really difficult backdrop with which to draw talent to your city from.”
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