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Today is the Illinois Day of the Horse!

Posted in Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Commercial Horse Boarding, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Land Use, Mane in Heaven, Massbach Hounds, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOUL Harbour Ranch, Springfield, The Other Half, TMI, Unions on March 5, 2023| 1 Comment »

National-Day-of-The-Horse

On August 22, 2018, the Illinois State Commemorative Dates Act was amended to include:

Sec. 195. Day of the Horse. The fifth day of March of each year shall be designated as the Day of the Horse, to be observed throughout the State as a day to encourage citizens to honor and celebrate the role of equines in the history and character of Illinois, and to recognize the benefits of the equine industry to the economy, agriculture, tourism, and quality of life in Illinois.

For the benefit of those who may be new to our Village, we’d like to provide a list of a few Village Codes applicable to the keeping of horses in Barrington Hills.  In no particular order, they are:

  • APPLICATION FOR LICENSE: As a condition to his or her use of the equestrian trails located in the village, every owner of a horse shall file an application with the village clerk or his designee, setting forth the name and address of the applicant and a description of the horse for which the license is desired. The annual fee to be paid for an equestrian trail license is ten dollars ($10.00). All such licenses issued under this section 8-5-2 shall expire on April 30 following the date of issuance.
  • MANURE PILES: It shall be unlawful to: (A) Pile manure from horses or ponies, or permit it to accumulate, closer than one hundred feet (100′) from the property line of the property on which a horse is kept. (B) Permit a pile or accumulation of manure for more than one week except in the months of December through March inclusive at any location within three hundred fifty feet (350′) of the nearest dwelling house of another.
  • BOARDING AND TRAINING OF HORSES: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection (D), the boarding of horses in a stable and the training of horses and their riders shall be a permitted home occupation; provided, that no persons engaged to facilitate such boarding, other than the immediate family residing on the premises, shall be permitted to carry out their functions except between the hours of eight o’clock (8:00) A.M. and eight o’clock (8:00) P.M. or sunset, whichever is later, and further provided that no vehicles or machinery, other than that belonging to the immediate family residing on the premises shall be permitted to be operated on the premises except during the hours of eight o’clock (8:00) A.M. and eight o’clock (8:00) P.M. or sunset, whichever is later. (Ord. 16-22, 12-7-2016)
  • Lighting for outdoor activities, including: pool areas, tennis courts, paddle courts, hockey and/or skating rinks, horse arenas; provided such lighting shall be extinguished by eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M.

Questions, comments or concerns can be directed to the Village Equestrian Commission here, or to the Trustee Liaison to the Commission, Laura S. Ekstrom, here.

HAPPY TRAILS to you and yours!

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Barrington Park District proposes $18.8 million bond issue for Langendorf Park upgrades

Posted in Entertainment, Real Estate, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest on February 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Park District

The Barrington Park District is asking voters to approve an $18.8 million bond issue in April that would pay for improvements at Langendorf Park, including pool upgrades and pickleball courts. (Daily Herald File Photo, 2015)

The Barrington Park District will ask voters in April to approve an $18.8 million bond issue to pay for improvements at Langendorf Park, including a new pool, bathhouse and courts for platform tennis and pickleball.

Even if the measure passes, officials say, residents will see a decrease in how much they pay the district in property taxes.

That’s because the $11.5 million in bonds sold through a 2002 referendum to acquire Citizens Park have been repaid in full. There should be a further decline in 2028, once the bonds sold to build the Fitness and Recreation Center in Langendorf Park are repaid.

If the referendum succeeds, the district says, the owner of a home worth $500,000 would pay $35 less per year to the district. That same property owner would pay $110 less a year if voters reject the referendum.

The $18.8 million, along with $2.95 million from existing capital funds, would be spent to replace the pool and bathhouse, add six to eight courts for pickleball and four for platform tennis. Plans also call for a warming hut at the courts and replacement of a picnic shelter.

Park board President Linda Hovde said the improvements are necessary because of deteriorating facilities and the demand for activities such as pickleball.

Read more here. 

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New records show Gov. J.B. Pritzker has spent $350 million to win his two terms in office

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Elections, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest on January 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

JB 2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker dances with his wife, M.K., to “You’re Still the One” during the inaugural celebration on Jan. 9, 2023, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

In his two winning campaigns to become Illinois’ chief executive, billionaire Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the nation’s wealthiest politician, has spent $350 million, including more than $167 million to defeat Republican Darren Bailey by nearly 13 percentage points in November, according to newly released state and federal campaign records.

Bailey, a former state senator from downstate Xenia, spent $17.6 million on his campaign. Most of that was spent before he won the June 28 Republican primary election, with only $6 million spent between then and his loss to Pritzker in the general election, records show.

Bailey’s primary campaign was assisted by another $43.2 million from People Who Play By The Rules, a political action committee run by political operative and right-wing radio host Dan Proft of Naples, Florida. Of that total, $35.8 million was spent after the primary, records show.

The PAC was almost entirely funded by ultraconservative megadonor Richard Uihlein, who founded the Uline office supply and packaging company. Uihlein’s total outlay for the primary and general election for governor was $48 million — $6 million to Bailey’s campaign and $42 million to the aligned PAC, records showed.

Pritzker, an entrepreneur and heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune who largely self-finances his campaigns, faced no significant primary opposition in his bid for reelection, spending $140 million since he kicked off his reelection campaign with a $35 million donation in March 2021.

More here.

Editorial note: It’s good to be the king (Mel Brooks)

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Park District hosting February 8th Cook County Forest Preserve District discussion

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Brother, Countryside Elementary School, Deception, Entertainment, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Mad Cow, Massbach Hounds, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Unions on January 14, 2023| Leave a Comment »

RCBH-logo-4-768x421

“Horizon Farm Master Plan: Your Feedback is Appreciated

The Park District will host a meeting with the Cook County Forest Preserve District to discuss a Master Plan for the Horizon Farm property. The public is encouraged to attend in person or via Zoom (check back here for a link to the meeting.) Meeting Date: Feb. 8th, at 7:00 p.m.  Meeting Location:  361 Bateman Rd. Barriington [sic] Hills, IL, at the Park District’s Riding Center Meeting Room.”

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Three (3) Barrington Hills Park District Board positions up for election in April 2023

Posted in Animal Welfare, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Cook, Countryside Elementary School, County, Deception, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Illinois State Board of Elections, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Kane, Lake, Land Use, McHenry, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Unions, Well Water Quality on October 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

bhpd-logo-2-2021

The Barrington Hills Park District posted the following yesterday:

“PUBLIC NOTICE

To The Residents Of The Barrington Hills Park District Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties, Illinois

Elections will be held to fill the following offices at the:

Consolidated election to be held April 4, 2023.

Park District Commissioner: Number of positions (3); 4-year term.

Signature Requirements: Petition must be signed by not less than 2% of the number of ballots cast at the last election for Park District Commissioner.

Petition Circulation: September 20, 2022: First day to circulate nomination papers.

Consolidated Election Candidate Filing: Monday, December 12, 2022*: First day for candidates to file the original nominating petitions (must include original sheets signed by voters and circulators) with the Barrington Hills Park District representative at the Barrington Hills Riding Center, Meeting Room, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills IL 60010.

General Filing Information: Petitions may be filed in person by the candidate or a representative, or by mail. Barrington Hills Park District c/o Kim Keper, 364 Bateman Road, Barrington, IL 60010.

Please note: Nomination papers received in the mail before the first day of filing period will be returned to the sender as not filed.

Filing Period: Mon, Dec 12: 9:00 AM* to 1:00 PM

Wed, Dec 14: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Fri,    Dec 16:  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Mon, Dec 19: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

*Ballot Placement Lottery: If two or more petitions are received simultaneously for the same office (a) as of the opening hour of the filing period, December 12, 2022; and/or (b) within the last hour of the filing period, Dec 19 2023.

Ballot Placement Lottery, if needed, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22, 2022, noon at 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills, IL 60010.

Candidate document and filing information is available on the web: www.elections.il.gov“

Source

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Better (decades) late than never

Posted in Appointments, Better Government Association, Big Red, Board of Health, BOHICA, Building Department, Conflict of interest, Contests, Crain's Chicago Business, Cuba Township Road District, Deception, Elections, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Illinois State Board of Elections, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Mac's Property Management, OMA, One Barrington Hills, OP/Ed, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, The New Normal, The Other Half, Transparency, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Code, Village President, Village Treasurer on September 30, 2022| 1 Comment »

ethics

Last Winter, the Village of Lake Barrington published the following in their seasonal newsletter:

“Lake Barrington’s Ethics Commission

Did you know that the Village has an Ethics Commission? The independent commission adds to the overall transparency of our government and serves to investigate complaints alleging violations of the Ethics Chapter of the Village Code. We are proud to report that this 3-member Commission has never once had to meet regarding a violation!”

Their Municipal Code actually devotes a chapter to ethics, and the main page of their website contains a link to, “Report a Concern.”

As previously chronicled in this publication, if one searches our Village Code, keying in the word “ethics,” the result reads, “No Matches Found.”

Our Village needs an Ethics Commission.  How else could parties involved in complaints present their respective cases to determine if ethics violations did, or did not, occur? Listed below are typical practices that might arise in our Village, and in our opinion, may warrant investigation, understanding that there are no implications as to guilt or innocence of any on the list:

  • Should expensive legal battles, possibly precipitated by actions of elected and appointed Village officials, be investigated?
  • Should the hiring and retention of Village paid staff positions by elected family members be investigated?
  • Should contracts with vendors who maintain personal and professional relationships with elected Village officials and their families be investigated?
  • Should the solicitations of funds and hand selection of vendors by family members or close friends of elected Village officials, absent oversight by appointed Village committees, be investigated?

For these and other reasons, our Village needs to appoint an Ethics Commission to act as ombudsmen, when any question of potential maladministration or ethics violations is considered or occurs.

Candidates for this proposed commission could come from existing appointed Village bodies, ones whose objectivity would be unquestioned.

The perfect candidates for this roll are the incumbent members of the Board of Heath.  They are highly qualified, underutilized, and would prove to be an effective force in maintaining ethical governance of the Village of Barrington Hills.

Related: “Our predominantly pusillanimous Village Board (Part 1),” “Our predominantly pusillanimous Village Board (Part 2),” “Better Government Association Commends Passage of Chicago Ethics Ordinance–Sees More to Do,” “What happened to ethics reform in Illinois government? Why watchdogs have some hope,” “Meanwhile, One Barrington Hills makes amends, extinguishes website and turns the volume down,” “Learn from your (big) mistake, Laura, Bryan, Dave and Tom,” “Agreed”

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New labor rules impact Illinoisans employing domestic workers

Posted in Politics, Springfield, Taxes, The Other Half, Unions on August 1, 2022| Leave a Comment »

State House

Keep track of that nanny’s time and be sure to pay time-and-a-half for overtime.

Illinoisans who employ domestic workers like nannies, caregivers or housekeepers have new policies they must follow like paying state’s minimum wage law. New rules finalized by the Illinois Department of Labor announced effective Monday include ensuring overtime pay, meal times and rest periods.

“The General Assembly has established that domestic workers deserve the same core labor protections as workers in other industries,” IDOL Acting Director Jane Flanagan said. “With these rules, we hope to make domestic workers’ rights on-the-job clearer and help domestic employers understand their obligations under the law.”

The rules can be found in the Illinois Register and could be reviewed by the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a legislative body that oversees administrative rule making.

Among the updates, the rules define that a bona fide meal break is 20 minutes and the employer shall maintain pay and time records for domestic workers.

More here.

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Barrington Hills Park District Advisory Committee meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, BraveHearts, Cell Towers, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, FUBAR, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Longmeadow Parkway, Politics, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, The Other Half, Transparency, Unions on May 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »

hereBHPD New Masthead

The Advisory Committee to the Barrington Hills Park District Board meets this evening at 7:00 PM.  Some of the topics on their agenda include:

  • New At Large Alternate/Representatives/Election of new AC Chair
  • Open Meetings Act Training
  • Installation of fencing and gates between Riding Center and Bateman Road

A copy on the agenda can be viewed here.  Residents are invited to participate via Zoom, and the instructions can be found here.

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Lawmaker wants to block Pritzker from paying staff with private dollars

Posted in Commodius Maximus, Conflict of interest, Deception, Ethics, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Springfield, Taxes, The Other Half, Transparency on February 22, 2022| Leave a Comment »

JB Payoff

Saying private dollars shouldn’t be used to pay public employees, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would prevent Gov. J.B. Pritzker from paying state employees out of his pocket on top of the salaries taxpayers already pay for.

Pritzker doles out $1.5 million a year to subsidize the salaries of 15 employees in his administration in addition to the $1.6 million taxpayers pay.

Senate Bill 2213 introduced by state Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, provides that no state employee may receive compensation from any private party for their work within the scope of his or her employment by a state agency.

“Pretty audacious that it is even happening, but on top of that, the complete lack of transparency on the issue is what really caught my attention as well,” said Plummer.

During a recent appropriations committee hearing, Pritzker Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, who is getting more than half of her nearly $300,000 salary from the governor, contended the practice follows all ethical guidelines.

“His priorities are retaining and attracting the best possible people to work for state government and to work for his office personally,” said Caprara.

Pritzker, who ranked 318th on Forbes 400 richest people in America list in 2021 with a net worth of $3.6 billion, is heir to the Hyatt hotel chain.

Read more here.

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Labor Day 2021: Analysis ranks Illinois near the bottom of nation’s hardest-working states

Posted in Barrington Education Association, Commodius Maximus, Politics, Springfield, The Other Half, Unions on September 6, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Labor Day

A new analysis puts Illinois near the bottom of the hardest working states in the country.

The personal finance website WalletHub looked at more than 10 indicators from average work week hours to the share of workers with multiple jobs to determine the rankings. Illinois was ranked as the 43rd hardest-working state in the nation. Alaska and North Dakota took the top two spots as the hardest working states. New Mexico came in at No. 50.

Analyst Jill Gonzalez said workers in downstate Illinois likely helped the state’s ranking.

“That is where we see a leveling of the work week,” Gonzalez said. “In Chicago, we typically are seeing a shorter work week, and places where they are heavily relying on agriculture, we see a longer work week.”

Americans put in an average of 1,767 hours per year as of 2021, according to the World Economic Forum. That is 435 hours per year more than Germans work, but 357 fewer than Mexicans do.

Alaska has the longest hours worked per week at 42, which is 14% longer than in Utah, the state with the shortest week at 37 hours.

The category that pushed Illinois down in the rankings was the lowest annual volunteer hours per resident, in which Illinois ranked 47th in the country.

Read on here.

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