Posted in Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Red, Cost of Living, Countryside Elementary School, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Lighting Ordinance, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Unions on November 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Barrington Hills Park District Board/Riding Club of Barrington Hills will hold their monthly meeting this evening in person and via Zoom at 6:00 PM. Some topics on their agenda include:
A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.
Posted in AI, County, Data Center, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Kane, Land Use, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate on November 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »
A YouTube recording of the November 5th public hearing of the East Dundee PVH Commission to discuss amending zoning code such that data center construction would require special use permits is available for review.
After the public hearing began it was noted:
“Chairman Erner, I’m sorry. I believe there was one email, uh, public comment tonight. I think you could just note that for the minutes.” Further on it’s stated, “We received an email from Jessica Hoffman in opposition of the amendment. Her email will be noted in the minutes.”
Two members of the public spoke and after the public hearing was adjourned, all commissioners present voted to approve the amendment.
The link to the meeting can be found here.
Related: “’New 150 acre data center site available’ – 1011 E Main St, East Dundee, IL,” “East Dundee Public Hearing Re: Data Center Zoning Code Reclassification Tonight,” “East Dundee Public Hearing Nov. 5th Re: Data Center Text Amendment Proposal,”
Posted in Chicago Tribune, Commodius Maximus, Daily Herald, Data Center, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Road construction, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions on November 3, 2026| Leave a Comment »
It’s Election Day, 2026. We’re asking everyone to vote for the following with good reasons:
Our reasons to vote for Darby and Marty include:
Information on where you are registered to vote today can be found here.
Posted in AI, Community Alerts, County, Data Center, East Dundee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Kane, Land Use, Lennie, Politics, Privacy, Public Hearing, Public Safety, Real Estate, Special Use Permits, Taxes, Transparency, Village Code on October 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
“Notice is hereby given that the Planning, Zoning, and Historic Commission of the Village of East Dundee will hold a special meeting for a public hearing on November 5, 2026, at 6:30 P.M. at the East Dundee Police Station 2nd Floor Village Board Meeting Room, 115 E. 3rd Street, East Dundee, Illinois, to consider the following Village-initiated request:
A proposed text amendment to Chapter 157 of the Village of East Dundee Zoning Ordinance in Section 157.065(A)(1)(h)(1) to reclassify data centers in the M-1 and M-2 Manufacturing Districts from a (P) permitted by-right land use to a (S) permitted by special use permit land use in those areas of the Village north of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Drive, and in those areas of the Village south of IL Rt 72 and west of Commonwealth Edison transmission right-of-way. PIN: Village-wide Legal Description: N/A All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.
Any questions regarding this public hearing process may be directed to Franco Bottalico, Interim Village Administrator, in person at 120 Barrington Avenue, East Dundee, Illinois, 60118, via email at FBottalico@eastdundee.net, or by phone at (847) 8150472. Published in Daily Herald October 21, 2026 (169833)”
A copy of the agenda packet can be viewed and downloaded here. East Dundee public maps can be found here.
Related: “Proposed East Dundee annexation deal would allow future data center”
Posted in BACOG, Bicyclists, Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, Ethics, FPDCC, Guest Essay, Hoffman Estates, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, OP/Ed, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, South Barrington, Spring Creek Watershed, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Zoning Board on October 26, 2026| 7 Comments »
(Please click on image to enlarge)
Community update on Cook County zoning | October 26, 2026
Neighbors along Old Sutton and Penny Roads are asking how much commercial truck activity this residential corridor can accommodate. Cook County is considering a request to park up to 50 dump trucks south of Penny Road. A group of us is also examining earlier special-use approvals and a separate truck-terminal rezoning request. We want the County to consider their combined effects on roads, homes and natural areas, with supporting evidence in the public record.
The 50-truck site at 15N803 Old Sutton Road is unincorporated Cook County land zoned R-1 Single-Family Residence. Cook County’s zoning ordinance governs this application, not the zoning ordinances of Barrington Hills or South Barrington. A nearby village address does not change that. The County Zoning Board of Appeals makes written findings and a recommendation; the Cook County Board of Commissioners makes the final decision. Neighboring villages can object, but cannot veto this zoning request. Applicable road, environmental, health and other laws still apply. A separate annexation dispute involves other parcels.
Cases SU-26-0002 and VA-26-0017 involve approximately 4.4 acres. Cristobal Rodriguez and Lorena Galvez petitioned to park up to 50 dump trucks: six for their business and 44 additional spaces. They also seek an accessory-building height variance from 15 feet to 20 feet 2 inches. These uses require County zoning relief; R-1 status alone does not authorize them. The September 23, 2026 hearing was held. We have not confirmed a final County Board decision.
Cook County published a compilation of 22 objection letters. Seventeen cited traffic and safety, 15 zoning compatibility, 14 noise or residential character, 11 environmental concerns, 10 sensitive locations, 9 road conditions and 7 property values. Each letter could raise more than one issue; these counts describe concerns, not established harm. Barrington Hills formally objected, residents of both Barrington Hills and South Barrington submitted objections, and South Barrington’s mayor publicized the hearing.
Husky Trans, Inc. separately sought to rezone approximately 15.6 acres at 15 Old Sutton Road and 545 Penny Road from R-1 to C-4 commercial and I-4 motor-freight-terminal districts (MA-25-0002). Cook County deferred the application in October 2025; no final rezoning approval has been verified.
Barrington Hills’ 2024 annexation of roughly 44 acres nearby is under litigation. A trial court invalidated it, an appellate court reversed in September 2025, and the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments September 24, 2026. We have not confirmed a final ruling. This is distinct from the 15N803 County application.
We are also tracing historic special uses at 191 and 193 Penny Road and 15N272, 15N365 and 15N701 Old Sutton Road. Our working map covers more than 200 acres under study, but that does not mean 200 acres have commercial or Special Use approval. Current ownership, permitted acreage and a recently identified parcel still require verification.
Old Sutton Road is narrow, unlit and without shoulders, yet it serves residents, cyclists and equestrians. Truck counts, vehicle weights, routes and hours matter across all nearby operations, not only on the applicant’s lot. So do noise and neighboring residential property use.
The 2010 MWRD watershed plan modeled flooding at the Penny Road crossing of Spring Creek. That does not establish runoff from this truck site. It does raise practical questions about grading, drainage outlets, downstream capacity and spill controls near forest-preserve habitat and private wells. Water leaving one lot still enters a shared system.
Cook County Section 13.8.9(A) requires written findings on health and safety, nearby property use and values, roads, drainage, traffic and County compliance. We want to see how those standards are supported while accounting for existing operations and pending proposals.
A credible County record, and any possible later legal review, needs evidence more specific than general opposition. We are collecting:
We will ask the County to disclose its studies and explain each required finding. Credible records and expert testimony are essential; no evidence can promise a particular County or court outcome.
If you live nearby, know these properties, have records or photographs, or have an idea for helping, please contact me. Different views are welcome. Our objective is a factual public record and a thorough Cook County review of this corridor.
– Robin Duggan | Barrington Hills resident | rduggan@2gcinc.com
Cook County Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.3 and 13.8
County ZBA hearing application materials
County compilation of 22 objection letters
Barrington Hills formal objection
Husky rezoning request and deferral
Illinois Supreme Court oral argument docket 132527
MWRD watershed plans and reports
Posted in Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Hoffman Estates, Land Use, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Roads and Bridges, School Districts, South Barrington, Traffic, Transparency, Village Clerk, Village Code, Zoning Board on October 25, 2026| 3 Comments »
15N803 Old Sutton Road via Google Maps
On September 18th we posted information regarding a Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing regarding an unincorporated Cook County property near the Village border taking place September 23, 2026. This was in addition to a previous post by the Village on September 15th.
Information currently available regarding the September 23rd public hearing include:
Minutes from the Zoning Board Hearing have been posted and state only that testimony was taken.
Audio recordings from the September 28th Barrington Hills Board of Trustees meeting (found here) reveal that apparently objections to the application, as well as the application itself, were not sufficiently made available to the public to review prior to the September 23rd hearing. Therefore, continuation of the hearing was postponed until (at least) January 2027.
Further, it was not decided it additional objections would be admissible in to the record considering original objections were not fully made public. If additional comments/objections are allowed, we will notify readers.
Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, Audio recordings, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, Big Red, Commercial Horse Boarding, Crime, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, HARPS, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Privacy, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on October 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian/Riding Club Commission will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
A copy of the agenda and Zoom link can be found here.
Posted in BACOG, Board of Education, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Deception, Democratic Socialists of America, District 220 referendum, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Illinois State Board of Elections, Immigration, Land Use, Look For The Union Label, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Rights, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, South Barrington, Springfield, Taxes, Transparency, Unions, Village Code on October 12, 2026| 1 Comment »
Martin McLaughlin is a Republican running to represent Illinois’ 52nd House District. (George Papadakis)
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
Republican state Rep. Martin “Marty” McLaughlin barely survived his last election, defeating Democrat Maria Peterson by just 47 votes in 2024. The two are facing off again in this northwest suburban district.
McLaughlin, 61, an investment manager and former Barrington Hills village president, has been a consistent voice for fiscal restraint in Springfield. He identifies property taxes as the district’s most pressing problem and has helped residents navigate the appeals process. “If government is going to keep raising the bill, taxpayers at least deserve to know how to fight an unfair assessment,” he told us.
McLaughlin’s fiscal conservatism is important in a state that desperately needs greater discipline in that area.
Martin McLaughlin is endorsed.
Read the full editorial endorsement here.
Editorial note: Representative McLaughlin is also endorsed by:
It’s important to note McLaughlin’s campaign rival lives in North Barrington yet she could not garner an endorsement for this or her prior campaigns.
*Present and former members of the Barrington Area Council Of Governments (BACOG).
Posted in Commodius Maximus, Cook, Cost of Living, County, Democratic Socialists of America, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Ethics, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, John Kass News, OP/Ed, Outmigration, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, Wirepoints on October 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Paul Vallas | John Kass News
October 11th, 2026
Illinois leadership is sustaining policies that have done nothing to improve equity or affordability while swapping out middle- and upper-income families for the poor and illegal migrants.
JB Pritzker’s greatest legacy will be the acceleration of the “Great Displacement,” the demographic upheaval in which Illinois is losing scores of affluent residents through outmigration while gaining relatively poorer ones through both interstate and international migration.
This shift is largely the product of the state’s so-called progressive policies. High taxes and fees remain the primary reason Illinoisans cite for leaving, followed by failing schools, rising crime, limited economic opportunity, and expansive sanctuary measures that encourage low-income in-migration.
According to Wirepoints, Illinois continues to hemorrhage wealthy residents. Since 2000, the state has lost roughly 1.6 million people — third most in the nation, behind only California and New York. Chicago’s population, even with the recent influx of migrants, is now at its lowest level in nearly a century. Almost every county in Illinois has experienced a decline in population. Even more troubling, Illinois isn’t merely losing residents — it’s losing income. [1]
The IRS reports that in 2022 alone, 87,311 residents left Illinois, taking with them $9.9 billion in adjusted gross income. The real damage runs deeper: The outflow disproportionately includes residents in their prime earning and spending years. This brain and income drain erodes the tax base, shrinking critical property, sales, and consumption tax revenues that support state and local budgets. [2]
A detailed Wirepoints analysis of IRS migration data for 2022 shows Illinois was the nation’s second-biggest loser of households aged 26-35 earning more than $200,000. Unsurprisingly, zero-income-tax states such as Florida and Texas were the leading destinations for these upwardly mobile millennials. Illinois has been bleeding this cohort for more than a decade, but the acceleration is alarming. [3]
Wirepoints also found that in 2022, the average adjusted gross income for these departing young households was $435,000. The exodus continues among those aged 35-45 with incomes over $200,000 — another key demographic of high earners. Illinois ranks 48th nationally for losses in this income bracket. More concerning, the average AGI among this group leaving approaches $700,000. [4]
Vallas’ report continues here.
Paul Vallas formerly ran the public school systems in Chicago, Philadelphia and the Louisiana Recovery School District. He was a candidate for Mayor of Chicago.
Posted in BACOG, Chicago Tribune, Data Center, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Economy, Education, Elections, Flock Cameras, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Resident Spotlights, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Unions, Village Code on October 9, 2026| 1 Comment »
State Sen. Darby Hills talks with a colleague during the legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol on Oct. 28, 2025, in Springfield. | John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
This north suburban district stretches from Palatine and Barrington north to Lake County municipalities including Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods and Wauconda. Republican Darby Hills, 50, was appointed to the seat in early 2025 after fellow Republican Dan McConchie resigned to start a national nonprofit advocating for better access for the disabled. Hills, formerly a Barrington Hills village trustee, is running to be elected in her own right against Democrat Nabeela Syed, 27, an Illinois House member from Palatine in her second term.
Syed tells us she opposed the transit rescue legislation enacted in late 2025 because it included a “regressive” sales tax increase. Except she didn’t oppose it, at least on the floor of the House. As Hills points out to us, Syed didn’t vote on the package. For something so consequential to her constituents, Syed can’t have it both ways. She should have voted no if that was her position.
Hills did vote against the package in the Senate with the fair reasoning that transit-agency reforms should have preceded the hefty toll hike and sales tax increase that bailed out the system.
Hills has voted against her party leadership more than once, including on a measure this year to allow for state regulation of auto insurance rates for the first time, which was signed into law. The last thing the Illinois Senate needs is an even larger Democratic supermajority, and Hills has proven herself the sort of Republican who will work with the other side of the aisle. Darby Hills is endorsed.
Full editorial here.
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