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Archive for the ‘FUBAR’ Category

Cook County Second Installment Property Tax Bills Expected to be Released by September 1, Due October 1

Posted in Cook, County, FUBAR, Property Taxes on August 19, 2026| Leave a Comment »

COOK COUNTY, IL—Today, officials from the Cook County property tax system announced that the 1.8 million second installment property tax bills for Tax Year 2025 are expected to be mailed to property owners on September 1, 2026, with a due date of October 1, 2026. Property owners can view their bills online beginning today.

Property tax bills are mailed to owners twice a year in two installments and require close coordination among multiple independently elected offices to ensure they are delivered efficiently and accurately. The critical overhaul of the technology supporting the Cook County property tax system affected property tax processes and timelines last year, creating a cascade effect that delayed this year’s second installment bills by two months.

While the Cook County Board President has no statutory role in administering or collecting property taxes, President Toni Preckwinkle initiated a $300 million Cook County Property Tax Bridge Fund to provide no-interest loans to local taxing jurisdictions across Cook County to address the delay. The Bridge Fund Program was designed to help school districts, park districts, libraries, fire protection districts, municipalities and other local governments that are primarily reliant on property tax revenue to fund essential public services. The Bridge Fund Program will continue accepting applications until August 24, 2026.

Visit https://www.cookcountyil.gov/bridgefund for more information.

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‘Twenty years to grow and 20 minutes to cut down’: Barrington streetscape improvements irk some

Posted in Audubon Society, Daily Caller, Fools and their money, FUBAR, Politics, Tree Preservation Ordinance on June 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

A picture of the corner of Cook and Station streets shows a tree that was recently taken down as part of the Barrington streetscape improvements. | Courtesy of Bill Hartman

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

The owner and manager of a downtown Barrington building are upset that a mature tree was cut down during the village’s streetscape improvements around Cook Street Plaza.

Holly McClintock, who owns the plaza near Cook and Station streets, and Kristin Beecher, who manages it and lives above Cook Street Coffee, which is part of the development, confronted the village board Monday, as did another concerned resident, Bill Hartman.

Beecher and McClintock said the village the tree, located on the east side of Cook Street Coffee at Cook and Station streets, could stay.

“We were told the tree would stay,” Beecher said. “Twenty years to grow and 20 minutes to cut down.”

Beecher said she was told May 15 the tree needed to come down, but she scheduled a meeting with village officials the next business day to discuss it. Before the meeting could be held, she said, a crew cut it down. She said a street superintend

The corner of Cook and Station streets, the former location of a tree recently removed as part of ongoing streetscape improvements. | Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com

In its place the village is building a seat wall where downtown visitors can sit. Beecher is concerned new trees will struggle to grow within the four-foot-deep fixture.

Article continues here.

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Village Board once again tests our tolerance for fabrications (BS)

Posted in AI, Clown Car, Data Center, Deception, Ethics, FUBAR, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lennie, Politics, Property Taxes, Village Board, Village Director of Administration, Village Government, Village President, WTF on June 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The following was posted late this afternoon to the Village Facebook page:

“UPDATE: HOFFMAN ESTATES PLUM FARMS REZONING REQUEST

On June 3, 2026, the Hoffman Estates Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding a request to rezone the Plum Farms property from TN Traditional Neighborhood and C-MU Commercial Mixed Use to M-2 Manufacturing. The property is located north of Higgins Road between the Canadian National Railway and New Sutton Road.

President Brian D. Cecola submitted written public comment on behalf of the Village of Barrington Hills, expressing concern that a broad industrial zoning classification at this location would not be appropriate. While no specific development plan was before the Plan Commission, M-2 zoning would allow a range of industrial uses, including, among other uses, a data center. Director of Administration Anna Paul attended the meeting on behalf of the Village.

There were nearly three hours of public testimony; all speakers who provided testimony spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Following public comment and discussion, the Plan Commission voted 2-4 on the recommendation, meaning the motion to recommend approval did not pass.

The Village of Barrington Hills hopes the Hoffman Estates Village Board will accept the Plan Commission’s recommendation and not approve the proposed rezoning to M-2.

The date for Hoffman Estates Village Board consideration of the rezoning request has not yet been determined. At the meeting, Hoffman Estates officials stated that the item was not anticipated to appear on the June 15 agenda. The next regular Village Board meeting after that is scheduled for July 6, with the agenda required to be posted no later than 48 hours before the meeting.

The Village of Barrington Hills will continue to monitor this matter and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

TO READ PRESIDENT CECOLA’S WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT, FOLLOW THE LINK”

We’ll be posting our comments on this “update”  very soon.

Related: “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Follow-up),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 3),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 2),” “Do you trust our Board of Trustees? We don’t. But you decide for yourself once we have finished. (Part 1),” “7 things to know about Illinois data centers,” “Data Center group concerned over pause,” “110 Acre AI data center campus pitched to Village Board”

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(We stopped counting, but…) FedEx box truck becomes at least 74th vehicle to hit historic bridge in Long Grove

Posted in FUBAR, Lake & McHenry County Scanner on May 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“A FedEx truck instead of a U-Haul is a nice change of pace”| Photos: Neumann’s Cigars and More of Long Grove

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A FedEx truck hit the historic Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove Saturday afternoon, marking at least the 74th time the bridge has been struck in recent years.

The FedEx box truck had pulled out of a parking lot next to Neumann’s Cigars and More of Long Grove around 2:35 p.m. Saturday.

The truck began traveling westbound on Robert Parker Coffin Road toward Schaeffer Road, according to surveillance video.

The top of the FedEx truck reportedly struck the struts of the Robert Parker Coffin Bridge as it proceeded through the bridge.

Neumann’s Cigars and More of Long Grove said the truck was able to free itself after the driver reversed out from the bridge.

It is unclear if the truck left the scene but the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was there right after the incident occurred, the business said.

More here.

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Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters (?)

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), E-bikes, FUBAR, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square on May 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »

A man stands with his electric bike on a trail cutting through a grassy field. | Photo: Nick van der Vegt / Unsplash

By Sean Reed | The Center Square

Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport with the DMV if a popular piece of legislation in Springfield passes.

Having bipartisan support, the Illinois Secretary of State said there would also be new regulations, age requirements, and fees associated with using the devices.

Senate Bill 3336, an initiative backed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, would require a person to be at least 16 years old, licensed to drive, and to register certain electric micromobility devices with the state before they can legally be operated.

According to Giannoulias and lawmakers in favor of the bill, they are seeking regulation in response to a rise in accidents involving the various vehicles.

“The rise in serious crashes, injuries, and confusion about the law makes it clear that doing nothing is not an option. That’s why our bill is so critical. Nationwide, injuries and fatalities have soared an alarming 300% in just three years from 2019 to 2022,” Giannoulias said.

Vehicles that fall under the purview of the new law include e-bikes with a power rating between 750 and 8,000 watts, e-scooters, and any other electric-powered device primarily used for transportation and that moves under 28 mph.

Existing regulations for low-powered motorized vehicles will not be changed, according to the secretary.

The bill excludes toy vehicles (But WHY?) and mobility assistance devices.

Article continues here.

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5 things to know about Illinois’ new school rating system

Posted in Agendas, Barrington Education Association, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Elections, Ethics, FUBAR, His Master's Voice, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, SNAFU, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 30, 2026| 2 Comments »

Labels on the familiar state report card are poised to change.

By Hannah Schmid | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois plans to revamp how it rates public schools, meaning familiar labels on the state report card will change.

The Illinois State Board of Education in April approved a new school accountability system beginning in fall 2026.

The board says the overhaul will make school ratings clearer and fairer. The changes also remove some key measures and reshape how performance is judged.

Yet at a time when nearly half of Illinois students can’t read at grade level and even fewer are proficient in math, the board’s overhaul will change how schools are labeled but not how they perform.

Here are five things you should know about the changes while the plan awaits federal approval.

1._Schools will no longer be graded on a curve.

Illinois’ rating system ranks schools against each other. Only the top 10% can be in the top category and only the bottom 5% are ranked in the lowest.

The rankings are based on a school’s performance against other schools rather than strictly on how well its students meet specific criteria.

The new system will grade schools based on fixed standards. The goal is to eliminate moving goalposts, where a school’s rating could change based on comparison to other schools even if its performance doesn’t change. That could make ratings more consistent over time.

Article continues here.

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Cuba Township Assessor Shares: Important Update Regarding Upcoming Property Tax Bills

Posted in 220, Board of Education, County, Cuba Township, District 220 referendum, FUBAR, Lake, Property Taxes, School Districts, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Important Update Regarding
Upcoming Property Tax Bills

(Please click on image to enlarge)

Dear Cuba Township Residents

Our office would like to provide an important update regarding the upcoming May 2026 property tax bills, particularly as they relate to the November 2024 Barrington CUSD 220 referendum.

At the time of the referendum, Barrington CUSD 220 presented taxpayers with an estimated increase of approximately $236 per $500,000 of market value. Based on the tax rate information now available, this estimate appears to be significantly understated. Current projections indicate the actual impact may be closer to three times the estimated amount for similarly valued homes. The following is a link to the referendum tax calculator: Barrington 220 2024 Referendum Tax Calculator. We encourage you to compare this calculator to your May tax bill.

While we understand this increase may be concerning, it is important to clarify how property taxes are determined and the role of the Assessor’s Office in that process. Our responsibility is to establish fair and equitable property assessments based on market value. We do not set tax rates or control the budgets of taxing bodies.

Property taxes are determined by two primary components: assessed value (EAV) and tax rates. In simple terms, the total tax burden is driven by how much revenue taxing districts levy to fund their budgets. The tax rate is then adjusted to generate that amount and is distributed across all property owners based on their share of the total assessed value.

An easy way to think about this is like splitting a restaurant bill. The total check represents the amount taxing bodies have decided to spend. Each person’s share is based on what they ordered—someone who ordered a steak pays more than someone who ordered a salad, just as properties with higher assessed values pay a larger share of the total tax burden. If the total bill increases, everyone pays more, regardless of how the bill is divided.

Typically, when overall assessed values increase across a taxing district, tax rates decrease to offset that growth. However, when taxing bodies increase their levies, tax rates may rise or remain elevated to meet that higher spending level. In this case, while most taxing bodies now have a reduced rate, Barrington CUSD 220 has an increased rate, resulting in a higher overall tax burden for property owners. While factors such as the County’s equalization process may impact assessed values, they do not, by themselves, increase the total taxes collected.

For questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this increase, we encourage residents to contact Barrington CUSD 220 directly. If you would like to send a message to Board members as well as the Superintendent of Schools, please Click Here.

Barrington CUSD 220 Contact Information
District Administrative Center
515 W. Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: (847) 381-6300

Upcoming Board of Education Meetings

All regular Board of Education meetings are held on Tuesday evenings, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 p.m., followed by Open Session at 6:00 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, meetings take place at the District Administrative Center. Meetings include opportunities for public comment and provide a forum for residents to learn more and share input.

Our office remains committed to transparency and ensuring fair and accurate property assessments. If you have questions regarding your property assessment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Cuba Township Assessor’s Office
Cuba Township| Website

Cuba Township | 28000 Cuba Road
Barrington, IL 60010 US

Email sent April 20, 2026

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IRS: Illinois led nation in rate of income loss in 2023

Posted in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Economy, FUBAR, Illinois Policy Institute, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Pension Funding, Politics, Taxes on April 23, 2026| 1 Comment »

By Bryce Hill | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois lost a larger share of income from outmigration than any other state in 2023, according to IRS data.

Federal tax returns show that Illinois lost a net of nearly 56,000 residents and more than $6 billion in income in 2023, the latest data available. When adjusting for total income per state, Illinois’ losses to net outmigration are the worst in the country — more than $11 for every $1,000 previously earned in the state.

While California ($13 billion) and New York ($10.6 billion) lost more income from outmigration, Illinois lost the largest share of a state total.

Meanwhile, South Carolina and Florida, two of the top three states adding the most total income from people moving in, also added the most as a share of their total income.

Part of why Illinois sees so much wealth flight is that high-income Illinoisans are leaving at twice the rate of other groups. People in all income brackets are moving out of the state, but those earning more than $200,000 a year have been leaving the fastest.

Article continues here.

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(Ignoring public opinion) Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Posted in Clown Car, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Fat Bastard, FUBAR, Mad Cows, New Normal?, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Springfield, Taxes, The Center Square, Topics Of Interest, Zoning Board on April 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Image courtesy PridesCrossing

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers to pitch in.

After announcing the Building Up Illinois Developments Plan during his budget address in February, the governor urged support for it Friday at the City Club of Chicago.

Pritzker said the BUILD Plan is ambitious and comprehensive.

“It’s designed to eliminate unnecessary barriers and lower costs for housing construction and renovation, produce a wider range of family-friendly housing types and streamline permitting,” the governor said.

Pritzker said Illinois faces a gap of more than 142,000 housing units and needs to build about 225,000 units over the next five years.

The governor said most of the BUILD Plan would not cost taxpayers anything, but he said there would be an investment.

“The BUILD Plan also includes about $250 million to help spur development of housing and help people to afford housing,” Pritzker said.

Article continues here.

Related: “Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules,” “Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control,” “McLaughlin’s press conference video recording regarding Pritzker’s proposed municipal zoning powers grab posted,” “‘It’s just a bad idea’: Suburban officials oppose Pritzker’s plan to reduce local control over residential It’s just zoning”

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Barrington area Democrats condemn Chan Ding mailers

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Daily Herald, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Dumb Bunny, Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Board of Elections, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on February 28, 2026| 3 Comments »

Erin Chan Ding, left, and Maria Peterson are Democratic candidates for the Illinois House 52nd District seat in the 2026 primary election.

By Steve Zalusky  | Daily Herald

The Barrington Area Democratic Organization condemned attack mailers from Erin Chan Ding’s campaign for the Democratic nod in the Illinois House 52nd District primary.

The mailers altered opponent Maria Peterson’s image, placing her head on another person’s body. They also included the phrase, “When Maria Peterson runs, MAGA wins,” along with a list of her past election losses.

“These tactics do not reflect the values of our organization or the spirit of Democratic leadership in our community,” organization officials stated in a press release.

Chan Ding and Peterson are competing to challenge incumbent Republican Martin McLaughlin in the fall election. Peterson narrowly lost to McLaughlin by 47 votes in 2024 and lost by 385 votes to Republican Dan McConchie in 2022.

Peterson called the mailers “Chicago-style politics” that don’t “fit very well out here.”

Chan Ding countered, claiming Peterson distributed an attack ad first in January that “went after my character.” Chan Ding is a Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board member who was criticized by colleagues after an investigation determined she had violated district policies by using school resources, property and social media for prohibited political campaign activities.

Article continues here.

Related: “The D220 Board of Ed gets another ‘F’ in accountability & transparency,” “School district’s parking plan defies logic,” “Zoning change defies village policy,” “District 220 Public Hearing December 16th re: ‘proposal to sell bonds of the District in an amount not to exceed $5,400,000’,” “The Real Issue in Barrington 220 Isn’t Parking or Levies — It’s Leadership Culture,” “Change.org Petition: ‘For the Resignation of Erin Chan Ding ~ D220 Resources are Not for Political Campaigns’,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS – Part 2,” “BOARD OF ED VOTES, MEMBER CHAN DING MADE FLAGRANT POLICY VIOLATIONS,” “Erin Chan Ding: The violations just keep piling up…,” “Erin Chan Ding starring in another episode of, ‘Rules For Thee But NOT For Me…’,”  “District 220’s Lack of Transparency (Updated),” “District 220’s Lack of Transparency,” “Ding Politicking on School District Property,” “Dual School Board and State Rep Positions Legally Incompatible,” “D220 Abuses Taxpayer Funds in favor of Partisan Campaign,” “Ding In Her Own Words – CONFLICTED!,” “Ding Doubles Down,” “Ding’s D220 Deception,” “Chan Ding running in Democratic primary in 52nd,” “Three (3) Democratic candidates queued to run for the IL 52nd District House seat in 2026”

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