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Driver cited after causing crash with box truck that sent SUV into railroad crossing gate in Barrington

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner, METRA on March 15, 2026| Leave a Comment »

A driver was cited after an SUV and a box truck collided, sending one vehicle into a railroad crossing gate along the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line at Main Street and Cook Street in Barrington Monday afternoon. | Photo: Omar El Plebe

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A driver was cited after crashing into a truck and then colliding into a railroad crossing gate, causing Metra train traffic to be temporarily halted, in Barrington, police said.

The Barrington Police Department responded around 12 p.m. Monday to the intersection of Main Street and Cook Street in Barrington for a vehicle crash.

Officers arrived and found a two-vehicle crash in the intersection, with one car into a railroad crossing gate.

A driver was cited after an SUV and a box truck collided, sending one vehicle into a railroad crossing gate along the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line at Main Street and Cook Street in Barrington Monday afternoon. | Photo: Omar El Plebe

The Metra Police Department was notified and also responded to the scene due to the train equipment being involved.

The incident happened just northwest of the Barrington Metra station along the Union Pacific Northwest line.

Barrington Deputy Police Chief Lori Allsteadt said the crash involved a BMW X5 SUV and a Freightliner M2 truck.

A driver was cited after an SUV and a box truck collided, sending one vehicle into a railroad crossing gate along the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line at Main Street and Cook Street in Barrington Monday afternoon. | Photo: Omar El Plebe

An investigation showed the BMW was traveling southbound on Cook Street attempting to cross Main Street to continue south.

The Freightliner, driven by a 39-year-old Chicago man, was traveling eastbound on Main Street from Hough Street when it collided with the BMW, Allsteadt said.

The BMW, driven by a 65-year-old Chicago man, then continued after the impact and struck the railroad gate pole.

A driver was cited after an SUV and a box truck collided, sending one vehicle into a railroad crossing gate along the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line at Main Street and Cook Street in Barrington Monday afternoon. | Photo: Omar El Plebe

Article continues here.

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Barrington Golden Triangle developers: Multifamily development can handle traffic

Posted in 220, Daily Herald, EJ&E/Canadian National, Land Use, METRA, Real Estate, School Districts, Transparency, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on March 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Rendering of The Residences at Liberty Commons | Courtesy of the Barrington Development Co.

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

Developers aiming to build a $100 million residential complex at Barrington’s Golden Triangle addressed village trustees’ concerns about traffic, while also emphasizing the need to fast-track the project.

The proposal for The Residences at Liberty Commons calls for 16 studio apartments, 119 one-bedroom, 66 two-bedroom, six three-bedroom and 16 townhouses (223 units).

Michael Fleck and Nick Marrocco of the Barrington Development Co. told trustees Monday they will have their traffic consultant, KLOA, conduct a full traffic study of the area, which is already clogged with traffic.

“I think our interests are definitely aligned here,” Fleck said. “We want to make sure that the development is good for Barrington, good for the residents and no further burden.”

Fleck said the overall conclusion of an initial study is the development, bounded by Liberty, Hough and the railroad tracks, will have a modest effect on the surrounding street network.

Fleck noted the development’s location is less than a half-mile from the Barrington Metra station.

Article continues here.

Related: “New residential development floated for Barrington’s Golden Triangle”

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Transit sales tax hike makes suburbs pay for Chicago problems

Posted in Illinois Policy Institute, METRA, Overhead, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Traffic, Unions on December 11, 2025| 1 Comment »

Chicago-area transit riders deserve safe, reliable service. But the Regional Transportation Authority board might soon ask the wrong people to pay for it.

By Dylan Sharkey | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinoisans shouldn’t be taxed for a service they can’t use, but the Regional Transportation Authority board is expected to vote on doing just that: imposing a regionwide sales-tax increase.

The board will meet Dec. 18 to adopt its 2026 budget, which relies on raising the RTA sales tax by 0.25 percentage point across Cook County and the collar counties. Pritzker is expected before 2026 to sign the bill authorizing the tax, which would take effect July 1 and then need final transit board approval within 60 days.

Supporters argue it’s needed to avoid looming service cuts and big fare hikes tied to transit’s “fiscal cliff.” But the tax collects money from suburban shoppers with sparse transit options and sends it to the urban areas where agencies have made poor decisions and failed to enact needed change. It also lets leaders ignore existing funds already taken from taxpayers.

What is the RTA sales tax?

To fund CTA, Metra and Pace, residents in areas served by mass transit currently pay:

  • 1% sales tax on general merchandise in Cook County.
  • 1.25% sales tax on qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in Cook County.
  • 0.75% sales tax on general merchandise and qualifying food, drugs, and medical appliances in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

If Pritzker and the RTA board approve, the 0.25% will be added to all three existing sales taxes to generate $478 million leaders claim is needed to avoid transit’s fiscal cliff. That fiscal cliff is mostly a Chicago Transit Authority problem: Metra and Pace serve the suburbs and have challenges of their own, but the CTA dominates the RTA’s budget.

Penalizing people who don’t use CTA is a problem when it takes the biggest share of the budget. Part of the funding solution is using money from the state’s road fund, which has more than $3 billion taxpayers have already contributed. The state should spend what it already has before taking more.

Read more here.

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Metra holiday train tickets go on sale

Posted in Chicago Sun*Times, Entertainment, METRA on November 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Courtesy of Metra

By Sun-Times Wire

Metra’s holiday train tickets went on sale Monday.

Tickets for the decorated trains — which feature holiday characters and treats — cost $10 each and must be purchased in advance on Metra’s website.

The trains are scheduled to run throughout the day along five Metra lines on:

On the Metra Electric Line, the tickets also include a visit to the “North Pole winter wonderland” at Millennium Station.

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DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained

Posted in Cost of Living, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois Policy Institute, METRA, Taxes, Unions on October 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Prices for DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and Illinois tolls might go up now to cover $1.5 billion for Illinois transit agencies. A real estate transfer tax for homes in the Chicago suburbs is also on the table.

By Ravi Mishra | Illinois Policy Institute

New tax and fee hike proposals on DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll roads could hit Illinoisans to cover shortfalls in the Regional Transit Authority budget. The RTA, which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace, faces a looming budget crisis as federal pandemic funds run dry.

Revenue options include:

  • A $1 delivery charge for delivery orders over $100, excluding pharmaceuticals and groceries to fund public transit. Revenue estimate: $102 million
  • A 25-cent increase in CTA fares. Revenue estimate: $76 million to $78 million if 2025 CTA fare trends hold steady.
  • A 10% tax on all rideshare trips in the RTA region (Cook and collar counties) to fund public transit. Revenue estimate: $132 million to $291 million
  • A ticket price surcharge of $5-10 would be added to tickets at venues that contain more than 10,000 people. Revenue estimate: $150 million to $250 million
  • A 25% surcharge on tolls, charged once per day, which would increase the average cost of tolls by $0.60 to fund public transit. Revenue estimate: $438.5 million
  • A $1 surcharge on all tolls. Revenue estimate: $1 billion
  • A fee of $0.03 per kw/h tax on electric vehicle charging at public chargers to fund public transit. Revenue estimate: $3.2 million to $14.2 million with increased adoption of electric vehicles
  • An extension of the Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax to the collar counties, which taxes $1.50 for every $500 during the transfer of a property to fund public transit. Collar County dollars would be used for Metra and Pace transit needs, not for the CTA. Revenue estimate: $82 million
  • A one-time transfer of funds from the Illinois Road Fund to fund public transit.

The Regional Transit Authority has already seen dramatic growth in its budget even as ridership remains well below pre-pandemic levels. Spending was boosted by billions in emergency COVID funds, but with that money gone, the system is facing a $230 million fiscal gap next year.

Read more here.

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Barrington approves redevelopment agreement on Golden Triangle

Posted in 220, BACOG, Daily Herald, District 220 referendum, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »

After nearly a year of negotiation with Compasspoint Development, Barrington approved a redevelopment agreement for the “Golden Triangle” (top of photo) worth $17 million ready for village board approval. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

Barrington trustees Monday put the final touches on a redevelopment agreement for a mixed-use project on Hough Street between the Union Pacific and Canadian National Railway tracks.

The location is officially known as Redevelopment Area #1, but is also dubbed the Golden Triangle.

Joe Taylor III of Compasspoint Development plans to redevelop the former site of the Market Center building and a Volvo dealership at on North Hough Street. The $90 million project includes a four-story building, the Mylo, with 125 residential units and approximately 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space — Taylor said he is negotiating a high-end restaurant lease for 6,000 square feet.

It will also include the MotorCave Auto Suites, a place for car enthusiasts to keep and display their vehicles.

Read more here.

Related: “Barrington close to decision on $17 million incentive agreement for ‘Golden Triangle’ development,” “‘Now is the time to be in Barrington’: village serves up positive economic outlook,” “Barrington approves TIF for the ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Barrington moves closer to TIF for ‘Golden Triangle’,” “MotorCave Suites: For-sale personal auto museum showrooms and entertainment Spaces for Chicago area collectors,” “Barrington village manager gets 12.5% pay hike,” “Barrington-area leaders tout growth at annual economic summit,” “Barrington pins high hopes on Golden Triangle development,” “Luxury apartments, restaurants. What Barrington might do with its ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Apartments, storage for high-end cars proposed for downtown Barrington”

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Barrington close to decision on $17 million incentive agreement for ‘Golden Triangle’ development

Posted in 220, BACOG, Daily Herald, District 220 referendum, EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on April 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

After nearly a year of negotiations with Compasspoint Development, Barrington has a redevelopment agreement for the “Golden Triangle” worth $17 million ready for village board approval. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

By | Daily Herald

After nearly a year of negotiations with Compasspoint Development, Barrington is nearing a redevelopment agreement for a mixed-use project within the village’s “Golden Triangle.”

Village staff presented the draft of a “pay-as-you-go” tax increment financing deal worth $17 million before the village board Monday. Trustees are expected to continue the discussion Monday and could reach a final vote April 28.

Developer Joe Taylor III said he is ready to start construction the day after the vote.

Compasspoint plans to redevelop the former site of the Market Center building and a Volvo dealership at 200-300 N. Hough St. The $90 million project includes a four-story building, the Mylo, with 125 residential units and approximately 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space — Taylor said he is negotiating a high-end restaurant lease for 6,000 square feet.

It will also include the MotorCave Auto Suites, a place for car enthusiasts to keep and display their vehicles.

The arrangement ties into the village’s plans to build Park Avenue Plaza, a community gathering space and al fresco dining spot. Taylor said he has agreed to build the plaza on Park Avenue between Cook and Station streets with his own funds.

Read more here.

Related: “‘Now is the time to be in Barrington’: village serves up positive economic outlook,” “Barrington approves TIF for the ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Barrington moves closer to TIF for ‘Golden Triangle’,” “MotorCave Suites: For-sale personal auto museum showrooms and entertainment Spaces for Chicago area collectors,” “Barrington village manager gets 12.5% pay hike,” “Barrington-area leaders tout growth at annual economic summit,” “Barrington pins high hopes on Golden Triangle development,” “Luxury apartments, restaurants. What Barrington might do with its ‘Golden Triangle’,” “Apartments, storage for high-end cars proposed for downtown Barrington”

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Metra unveils 2025 construction program

Posted in Aunt Blabby, Cuba Township Road District, METRA on March 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Metra announced the UP Northwest Line crossing on Cuba Road is scheduled to be replaced.

Metra and its railroad and municipal partners are taking on a wide variety of projects during the 2025 construction season, including improvements to 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings.

Crossings on the UP Northwest Line slated for replacement this year are Oakton Street in Park Ridge, Cuba Road in Barrington Hills, Lincoln Avenue in Fox River Grove, and Main Street and Walkup Avenue in Crystal Lake.

The full release can be found here.

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U.S. Route 14 Underpass Update

Posted in Barrington Area Library, Community Alerts, EJ&E/Canadian National, Goat Rodeo, METRA, Road construction, Traffic on March 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Northbound Hough Street just before the CN/EJ&E crossing.

“This vital infrastructure improvement project will enhance traffic flow and safety in our community. Below are the latest updates:

  • Construction Signage: Earlier this week, “Road Work Ahead” signage was placed around the project area before the commencement of work this upcoming week.
  • Fence Relocation and Tree Removals: Over the next few weeks, crews are scheduled to begin relocating the fence along Route 14 adjacent to Jewel Park and complete final tree removals. Fence work is expected to take 1-2 weeks and will move the existing wood fence to the south edge of the Elm Road right-of-way. This will help separate the neighborhood from the construction area. While tree removals are largely complete, final removals will take place this month within the railroad right-of-way and a few residential parcels where access was not previously secured.
  • Demolition and Excavation: Following the initiation of fence and tree work, demolition of the strip mall at 557 N. Hough St., and excavation for the new pump station at 117 E. Northwest Hwy. (just east of Jiffy Lube) will begin. These are key steps in moving the project forward.
  • Utility Relocations: Comcast’s utility work is underway near the intersection of Route 14 and Hough Street. Nicor and AT&T will be completing utility relocation work on Hough Street just south of Route 14 starting this month. Relocation schedules are still being finalized with other utilities and along the Route 14 corridor.
  • Culvert Installation: Crews will also begin installing a culvert on the south side of the bridge on Elm Road, which will allow for the creation of a temporary roadway over Flint Creek. This installation will require minimal work on the north side of Elm Road to temporarily reroute water around the construction zone, while the majority of work will take place from Route 14. The project team will target dry weather conditions to keep the installation process efficient.
  • Hough Street Culvert: A significant milestone in the project will be the installation of a new culvert to carry Flint Creek under Hough Street. While the start date for this work is still dependent on the completion of utility relocations, utility designs and permits are in progress, and the project team is actively working to expedite the timeline to allow this work to begin this spring.

As the project progresses, the Village of Barrington plans to share monthly project update emails to provide information and timelines on completed and anticipated work. Updates will be utilized to convey special construction or traffic alert information. You are always encouraged to stay informed throughout the project by visiting the website.”

– Posted March 7, 2025

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Pedestrian gate installation set for next month at railroad crossing in Barrington following death of student

Posted in EJ&E/Canadian National, METRA, Road construction, Traffic on February 11, 2025| 1 Comment »

Marin Lacson, 17, of Barrington, (inset) died on January 25, 2024, after she was hit by a Metra train while walking to Barrington High School where she was in her junior year. | Background Photo: Nick Rusin; Inset: Provided

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Crews are set to begin installation of pedestrian gates next month at a railroad crossing in Barrington near where a 17-year-old girl was killed by a train while walking to Barrington High School.

The Canadian National Railway (CN) announced last year that it was going to install pedestrian gates at the Main Street crossing just east of Barrington High School in Barrington.

Construction was delayed due to material backorders but the necessary materials were expected to arrive early this year.

The Village of Barrington recently said that they received preliminary confirmation that most of the construction will take place between March 21 and March 30, coinciding with District 220’s spring break.

The timing is intended to minimize traffic disruptions. CN will provide more details and confirm the schedule as it gets closer to construction.

The village said it is also reviewing statements of qualifications from engineering firms for the preliminary design of a pedestrian underpass at Main Street and the CN tracks.

“This work is particularly important as it connects the Village Center and Barrington High School, and is a crossing used daily by many students,” the village said.

More here.

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