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
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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.”
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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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Posted in Entertainment on December 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »
By Janelle Walker | Shaw Local
What makes their Mexican food special is where the recipes come from, said Lorena Zepeda.
Those recipes have been amassed over the years by her mother and grandmother and shared at the small eatery she’s run with her parents, Juan and Mary Zepeda, for the past 17 years in Elgin.
They now are taking those family recipes — and more — to El Molino in Carpentersville. They purchased the Mexican restaurant — a staple in the village for 40 years — in the spring. After a six-month remodel of the space at 2112 Elgin Road, just over the border from Algonquin, the restaurant reopened in late November.
Although the interior and some of the menu have changed, what it means to the community shouldn’t, Lorena Zepeda said.
“It is special for many people, it has history for many people. They had many beautiful experiences in this place,” celebrating their life events, she said.
When Gustavo Soto opened the restaurant at a former hot dog spot, it likely was one of the first Mexican restaurants in the village. He wanted to ensure that whoever bought it would remember that connection it has to the community, Lorena said.
The dining room at El Molino Mexican Restaurant on Dec. 23. The restaurant at 2112 Elgin Road, Carpentersville, recently reopened with new owners and an updated interior. | Janelle Walker/Shaw Local News Network
“He was so in touch with this place and he wanted to sell to somebody that would keep that history. He was also a good friend of my dad’s for a long time,” she said.
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Posted in Entertainment on December 26, 2025| Leave a Comment »
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, Dec. 26
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: 2:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” $55. rosemont.com/allstate
Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 4, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Lights festival featuring 3.5 million twinkling LED lights, a giant light-up maze, interactive light displays, a twinkling star walk-through experience, a Holiday Dolphin Show, Santa visits on select nights and a holiday market. $20.95-$34.95. brookfieldzoo.org/HolidayMagic.
Time Warp Express After Christmas Adventure: Time slots start at 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26-28, at Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Board the Time Warp Express, a fully enclosed and decorated trolley, to save Santa. All paying customers get a free hot chocolate and cookie. $31.95; free for kids 4 and younger, who must ride on a guardian’s lap during the trolley ride; lap riders can purchase a hot chocolate and cookie for a $3.95. volofun.com/events.
Santa’s Village Magical Christmas Drive-Thru: 5-9 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Dec. 26-30, at 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. See the light displays synchronized to holiday music from your car. Visit with Santa at the end. $29.99 per vehicle, $5 discount for season-pass holders. (847) 426-6751 or santasvillagedundee.com.
The Second City presents “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire”: 7:30 p.m. Friday through Wednesday, Dec. 26-31, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. A fast-paced, interactive comedy revue featuring seasonal songs, sketches and improv comedy. $40. metropolisarts.com
Saturday, Dec. 27
Elton Rohn: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Elton John tribute artist Ron Camilleri. For ages 12 and older. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $59. rauecenter.org
Sunday, Dec. 28
Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The CSO celebrates the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss Jr. with a selection of overtures, arias and duets. $52.90. cso.org
Tuesday, Dec. 30
New Year’s Eve-Eve Family Celebration: 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Station 34, 34 S. Main St., Mount Prospect. The Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association presents a kid-friendly family celebration to ring in the new year featuring entertainment, food, goody bags and a midday balloon drop. Tickets: $15 for 10 and older; $12 for kids 2-9; and free for kids 2 and younger. mpdowntown.com/new-years-eve-eve
Wednesday, Dec. 31
A balloon drop is part of the fun at the annual Noon Year’s Eve Party at the Salt Creek Sports Center in Palatine. This year’s event will be Wednesday, Dec. 31. | Daily Herald file photo, 2023
Noon Year’s Eve Party: 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Salt Creek Sports Center, 647 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Ring in the new year in your favorite pajamas. There will be bounce houses, dancing, photo ops, games and refreshments, followed by a countdown to noon and a balloon drop. $10-$15. saltcreekpd.com/special-events.
Happy Noon Year: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Community Recreation Center, 100 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Games, music, balloon drop and a sparkling grape juice toast. Each participant receives a glow-stick necklace, a party hat and a noisemaker. $2. Registration required. wheelingparkdistrict.com
New Year’s Neon Bash: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Triphahn Center & Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Kids 4-10 can dance under black lights, play games and countdown to noon with pizza, music and neon fun. $18 for residents, $20 for nonresidents. Register at heparks.org with 245920-A.
Noon Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at The Loft at Ethereal, 140 Cass St., Woodstock. Ring in the new year with a kid-friendly countdown to noon, complete with a sparkling juice toast and a balloon ball drop. Adults must attend with their child; everyone attending must register. $12-$18. woodstockrecreationdepartment.com
Hawthorn Noon Year Celebration: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Center Court at Hawthorn, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Families can count down to 2026 early with a family-friendly celebration featuring a live DJ, face painting, balloon twisting, refreshments and a festive balloon drop at noon. Free. visithawthorn.com.
Family New Year’s Eve Party: 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. A celebration to welcome the new year. $10-$12; adult admission is free when accompanied by a child. dpparks.org.
American English will perform “The Beatles in Bloom: A Musical Journey Through the Seasons of Life” Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. | Courtesy of Todd Heintz Photography
American English’s “The Beatles in Bloom”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Set in four “seasons,” audiences take a journey through projected visuals, poetic narration, and era-inspired lighting and costuming. Audience sing-alongs include “Hey Jude” and “All You Need Is Love.” For 12 and older. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $59. rauecenter.org.
New Year’s Bash with Felix and Fingers: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. The Woodstock Opera House and Stage Left host a night of music and dancing featuring Felix and Fingers, the dueling pianos duo, starting at 9 p.m. All-night Karaoke in Stage Left. A champagne toast at midnight. $65-$105. woodstockoperahouse.com.
Classic rock tribute band ARRA will headline a New Year’s Eve party along with Thunderstruck at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. | Courtesy of ARRA
A Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Party with ARRA and Thunderstruck: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Classic rock tribute. $46.75-$98.75. arcadalive.com.
New Year On The Pier: NYE 2026 at Bar Sol: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at Bar Sol, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. A multifloor event offering views of Navy Pier’s midnight fireworks show. Tickets start at $99. navypierevents.greencurtainevents.com
New Year’s Eve with Sixteen Candles: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Joe’s Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Music of the ’80s. $32.52. joesliverosemont.com
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier features a free, 10-minute fireworks show at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. | Courtesy of Josh Ohms Photography, Navy Pier, 2021
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier: 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Watch 2026 arrive with a 10-minute show synchronized to music. Free. navypier.org
Thursday, Jan. 1
Cheers to New Year’s 5K Run/Walk: 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at Church Street Brewing Company, 1480 Industrial Drive, Itasca. Run, walk and enjoy the craft beer of Church Street Brewing Company. Results will be posted at J3Timing.com. Registration starts at $40. indyrunners.org
Ongoing
Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Lights: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 5 at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The museum’s annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by a forest of more than 50 trees and displays decorated to represent the holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. Museum admission: adults $25.95; kids 3-11 $14.95; free for members. griffinmsi.org
Illumination: Tree Lights: Time slots between 4:30 and 8 p.m. through Jan. 3 at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Roast marshmallows for s’mores and enjoy a hot seasonal beverage from the concession tents along the trail. The exhibition is closed select Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets start at $20. mortonarb.org.
Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Jan. 4; plus Monday, Dec. 29, and Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan, 32405 N. U.S. Hwy. 12, Ingleside. Lights transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail featuring creatures from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films. A themed village at the end of the trail offers food and drink (Butterbeer) and a gift shop. Tickets start at $31 for kids 3-12 and $46 for adults. HPForbiddenForestExperience.com.
The annual Lightscape display at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe runs through Jan. 4. | Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select dates through Jan. 4 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a nighttime stroll through illuminated displays. Adults: $26 for members, $29 for nonmembers; kids 3-12: $14 members, $16 nonmembers; free for kids 2 and younger. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.
ZooLights: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. select dates through Jan. 4 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Features more than 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive experiences. $7-$12; free on select Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights
Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Parkway Bank Park: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 5 (except for special holiday hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1); plus 4-9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, Monday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 25. Free. rosemont.com/thepark
“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas”: Various times most Wednesdays through Sundays and some Tuesdays through Jan. 4 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Christmas musical in which Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together to celebrate the holidays at Sun Records studio. Tickets start at $70. marriotttheatre.com
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Posted in Entertainment, FPDCC, Friends of Forest Preserves on December 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Friends of the Forest Preserves, FOTFP, is encouraging you to get some fresh air and have some fun in the forest preserves over winter break. “The Cook County forest preserves in winter are not as crowded but they are just as beautiful as the rest of the year. There are great adventures close by that don’t cost a fortune and don’t require batteries or a charger, said Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves.
Friends of the Forest Preserves has five ways to get outdoors over the coming weeks:
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About Friends of the Forest Preserves FOTFP:
Friends of the Forest Preserves unites people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County, Illinois to ensure land, water, and life thrive in the forest preserves.
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