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Cell-phone ban, loosening foreign language requirements among education bills to pass

Posted in Capitol News Illinois, Education, School Districts, Springfield, Uncategorized on June 3, 2026| 1 Comment »

By Peter Hancock | Capitol News Illinois

Article Summary

  • Several educations measures were among the hundreds of bills that cleared the General Assembly before it adjourned on June 1.
  • Schools will have to adopt policies next year banning cell phones in the classroom under a bill Gov. JB Pritzker says he will sign.
  • Another measure allows students to fulfill foreign language requirements by taking career and technical education courses.
  • Lawmakers also expanded in-state tuition and amended child care licensing laws.

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

Read the full article here.

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Merry Christmas

Posted in Uncategorized on December 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

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Chicago has lost its mind – The Washington Post

Posted in Clown Car, Cook, Cost of Living, County, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Dumb Bunny, OP/Ed, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, Uncategorized, Unions, Washington Post on December 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) at an October news conference. | Joshua Lott/The Washington Post

The city’s fiscal situation is dire, and Mayor Brandon Johnson is determined to make things worse.

Chicago has long-term structural problems with its finances, thanks in large part to wildly underfunded pensions. The country’s third-largest city has a history of using short-term gimmicks to paper over its problems, such as a notorious 2008 deal that sold off 75 years of future parking meter revenue for $1.15 billion, which was quickly spent. That deal is still hurting finances today, which should have taught local politicians that there is no substitute for serious fiscal reform. Alas, apparently not.

The city’s net operating budget increased almost 40 percent between 2019 and 2025, “subsidized in large part by temporary federal pandemic funding that kept the City financially afloat,” according to Grant McClintock of the Civic Federation. “The pandemic is over, but many of the programs and personnel positions established during that time remain, and without the benefit of the federal funding that previously supported them.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) proposes to offset a $1.15 billion shortfall by taxing the businesses that anchor Chicago’s economy, borrowing and more gimmicks.

The mayor proposes to increase the tax on the lease of “personal property” like computers, vehicles and software from 11 percent to 14 percent, and to bring back the city’s “head tax,” which would result in large employers paying $33 per worker, per month.

By making it more expensive to do business or hire workers in the city, these measures threaten Chicago’s future economic growth and tax collections. These moves are especially reckless given that the Chicago Fed’s 12-month hiring outlook is the weakest it’s been since the pandemic. Gov. JB Pritzker (D) says the head tax would penalize employment.

Read more here.

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Involuntary Annexation Upheld by Appellate Court

Posted in Cook, County, EJ&E/Canadian National, FPDCC, Land Disconnection, Land Use, Plum Farm development, Politics, Real Estate, South Barrington, Topics Of Interest, Uncategorized, Village Attorney, Village Board on October 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »

By Julie Tappendorf | Municipal Minute

An Illinois Appellate Court recently upheld a municipality’s involuntary annexation of property in Husky Trans, Inc. v. Village of Barrington Hills.

After the village board discussed the possible annexation of two unincorporated parcels of land, it sent notice to the owner that the village board would consider annexing the parcels at a board meeting. The notice also informed the owner that the property would be rezoned to the R1 single family residential zoning district upon annexation. The owner’s attorney sent a response to the village that the owner objected to the forcible annexation, arguing that the parcels did not qualify for annexation under section 7-1-13 of the Illinois Municipal Code because the parcels were not “wholly bounded” by one or more municipalities, forest preserve, or park district property.

Read more here.

Related: “Village Board of Trustees meets tonight,” “Two items of interest on Monday’s Board of Trustees meeting agenda,” “Village posts Annexation Notice,” “Change.org petition posted: ‘Why Barrington Hills should not annex Sutton and the Penny Road Properties.’”

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Barrington Hills Park District (Riding Club) meets tonight

Posted in Agendas, Algonquin Rd, Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Big Brother, Big Red, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Countryside Elementary School, Equestrian Commission, Estate Sale, Fox River Valley Hunt, FRVPC, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Lighting Ordinance, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Center Advisory Committee, The Other Half, Topics Of Interest, Transparency, Uncategorized, Unions, VBHPD, Well Water Quality on September 10, 2025| 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:

  • Croquet at the Park District House
  • Review of Paddock Rules
  • Review of Rental Agreements/Pricing, and
  • Update on previous agenda items

A copy of their agenda can be viewed here. Instructions for accessing the meeting remotely can be found here.

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Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

Posted in Economy, Education, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Overhead, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Springfield, Taxes, Uncategorized, Unions on September 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Illinois ranked No. 1 for spending per student on higher education in 2024, paying more than double the national average. Declining enrollment, poorly structured finances, growing pension payments and bloated administration have driven up costs.

By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois spends double the U.S. average per full-time higher education student, yet 106,375 fewer students want to attend its public community colleges and state universities than 15 years ago.

Pensions, administrative bloat and a poor funding formula are mainly to blame.

Illinois ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for higher education spending per full-time student in fiscal year 2024, spending $25,529 per student. That was double the national average and over $4,400 more per student than the No. 2 state: Wyoming, which had only about 8% of the students Illinois supports.

(Click on image to enlarge)

That translates to Illinois spending the most in the nation per full-time student at public two-year institutions and the second most in the U.S. per full-time student at public four-year institutions.

But all that government money has failed to make Illinois higher education more attractive to students. Enrollment at two- and four-year institutions has dropped from 368,019 in 2009 to 261,644 in 2024, according to the State Higher Education Finance report.

(Click on image to enlarge)

As spending by the state on higher education has climbed, so has the cost of tuition. Illinois’ in-state tuition for a public university now ranks No. 6 in the nation. It is the highest in the Midwest, rewarding Illinois students with more affordable options when they cross state lines.

Research in 2021 showed nearly 48% of Illinois’ four-year, college-bound students chose schools elsewhere, with the top picks being public universities in neighboring states where tuition was cheaper. They took their knowledge, income and tax dollars with them – often for good.

So why are Illinois taxpayers being forced to spend more on higher education when their schools are serving fewer students? And why does all that government spending fail to keep Illinois tuition from being among the highest in the nation?

State pensions, administrative glut and a poor funding model are mainly to blame at the state’s 12 public universities and 48 community colleges.

Read more here.

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BHCC staff played a key role in recent storm cleanup

Posted in Barrington Hills Country Club, HARPS, Traffic, Uncategorized on August 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Barrington Hills Country Club employees and local neighbors cleared damage on Oak Knoll Road immediately after the storm on the August 16th. The damage was extensive and the volunteer action cleared the roads for residents.

Photo above is of a massive tree being removed by volunteers on Oak Knoll Road near HARPS.

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Things to do July 11-17: Dog Days of Summer, McHenry Fiesta Days, Kane County Fair, Vernon Hills Days and more

Posted in Uncategorized on July 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Dock Dogs competitive jumping is part of the Libertyville Dog Days of Summer event, which takes place Friday through Sunday, July 11-13. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2021

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, July 11

Dog Days of Summer: Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, July 11, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, at Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Events include Dock Dogs competitive pool jumping, pet parade, pet blessings, Black Cat Yoga, police dog training, dog vendor fair and food courts. Free. facebook.com/LibertyvilleDogDaysofSummer.

Windy City Warbirds & Classics: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 10-11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Fox Valley Aero Club field, 3831 Karl Madsen Drive, St. Charles. Annual show featuring remote-controlled aircraft, wingspans 80 inches or larger, warbirds and classics, with as many as six or more planes flying at once. Food vendors on-site. $5, free for kids younger than 12; cash only. foxvalleyaero.com/wcwb.

Windy City Smokeout: 2-10 p.m. Friday, July 11, and 1-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, outside the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Headliners: Bailey Zimmerman and Koe Wetzel on Thursday, Old Dominion and Dylan Gossett on Friday, Kane Brown and Megan Moroney on Saturday, and Jon Pardi and Riley Green on Sunday. Tickets start at $70.02 for Thursday and $99.50 for Friday; Saturday and Sunday are sold out. windycitysmokeout.com.

Fun Day In The Park: 10-11 a.m. Friday, July 11, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glenlake Road, Hoffman Estates. Jeanie B concert. Free. heparks.org

Tots in the Park: 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Kids’ entertainment featuring Little Miss Ann on the lawn. Free. bgparks.org/tots-in-the-park.

Nature in Your Neighborhood: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Lords Park Zoo, 210 Grand Blvd., Elgin. A storytime and craft for kids. The theme is “Beavers.” Free. elginil.gov.

West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 11, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. A mixed market offering fresh produce along with a variety of other goods such as honey, greens, soaps, breads, cheeses, flowers, artwork, wearables and other products. Free. wdundee.org.

Frank Gary heats ribs at the Pigfoot booth during the 2023 Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest in Lake in the Hills. | Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local, 2023

Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest: 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, July 11; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 12; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Professional pitmasters and vendors, carnival and more. Music: Thursday: Alt 101 at 6:45 p.m. and Kashmir at 9 p.m.; Friday: Starlight City Band at 6:45 p.m. and Too Hype Crew at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Everett Dean and the Lonesome Hearts at noon, One of the Boyzz at 2 p.m., HiFi Superstar at 4:15 p.m., Anthem at 6:30 p.m. and Bruce in the USA at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Head Honchos at noon, iPop at 2 p.m., and The Disco Circus at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Vendor Blender, featuring local crafters and entrepreneurs, from 4-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. $5, free for kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult or active military with ID. rockinrotaryribfest.com.

First Friday Summer Dances: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Schaumburg’s Towne Square, 200 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Dance lessons by Schaumburg Arthur Murray Dance Studio from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; live music and dancing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. parkfun.com

Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Saturday June Band will perform. Free. vhw.org.

Joe Jencks Benefit Concert: 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Folk musician Joe Jencks performs a free benefit concert to support PADS Lake County. Free, donations will be collected. Registration is encouraged at prairiecircleuuc.org.

Wheeling’s Friday Night Concert Series: 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Hi Infidelity will perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol is permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com

Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Main Stage Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Horizon will perform. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer

Saturday, July 12

Huntley Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12, along Coral Street, Huntley. Fresh produce, artisanal crafts and treats from regional vendors. huntley.il.us.

Day Out With Thomas: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13 and 19-20, at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. A 20-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and, for an additional fee, a ride with Percy, live entertainment, pop-up gift shop, family play zones and more. $24.85-$28.85. ticketwebdowt.com.

Kid’s Garage Sale: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 12, at Lions Park, Silver Lake Road, north of Three Oaks Road, Cary. A garage sale geared toward kids. carypark.com

McHenry Garden Walk: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12, starting at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at MCC parking lot C, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. University of Illinois Extension, McHenry County Master Gardeners and MCC host the self-guided tour featuring 12 gardens (two demonstration and 10 residential) in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Lake in the Hills and McHenry. $15. Register: extension.illinois.edu.

Pollinatorpallooza!: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Randall Oaks Recreation Center, 500 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Taste honey, play pollinator games, take home native wildflower seeds and join a pollinator parade at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Zoo admission: $6, free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org.

Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin. Open to all years and makes of stock or modified cars, trucks and motorcycles. Cars are featured on the front lawn and Park Street. elginhistory.org.

Elgin Unplug Illinois: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 12, at Lords Park and Wing Park, Elgin. Games, activities, Popsicles and giveaways. Free. elginil.gov.

Elgin Unplug Illinois: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Parent-led activities with hands-on crafts, interactive activities and “no phone” scavenger hikes. Free. elginil.gov

Unplug Illinois: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Bubble party, balloon twister and more. algonquin.org/recreation.

Uncaged in the Zoo: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Lords Park Zoo, off Grand Boulevard, Elgin. “Incredible Bats! Animals Around the World.” Free. elginil.gov

Barrington Bourbon & Brew Crawl: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, check in at Neoteca, 130 S. Hough St., Barrington. Sample specialty bourbons and IPAs while enjoying live music. For ages 21 and older. $35. barringtonchamber.com

Blind Flight Outdoor Beer Tasting: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Carpentersville Morning Rotary Club hosts a picnic-style craft beer tasting fundraiser. Food for sale and live music. Beer-tasting tickets, which are $40, include a tasting glass. Tickets: carpentersvillerotary.org.

Fox River Grove fireworks: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Picnic Grove Park, 598 Birch Lane, Fox River Grove. Seven food trucks and a glow vendor with fireworks at dusk. facebook.com/frgliving.

Morton Arboretum walking play “Pride and Prejudice”: 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, starting at Thornhill Shelter at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A walk leader guides the audience to each scene, which takes place at several natural backdrop locations along a one- to two-mile hiking route. Bring water and portable chairs or blankets for seating. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.

Summer Insect Extravaganza: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Nature Center at Spring Valley, Schaumburg. Games and crafts, and search for insects in the prairie and at the pond. At dusk, take a wagon ride to the woods for a short walk to see the fireflies. $3; $12 per family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com

Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Illinois Brass Band will perform. Free. parkfun.com.

Movies Under The Stars: Dusk Saturday, July 12, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. See “Moana 2.” Concessions available or bring a picnic. Free. bgparks.org

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 12, and 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to popular and special occasion soundtracks. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.

Island Lake Fireworks: Dusk Saturday, July 12. villageofislandlake.com/events.

Sunday, July 13

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Elmhurst Garden Walk & Faire: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13. “An Afternoon in the Garden” showcases six private and public gardens, along with a boutique in Wilder Park, 211 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships and other community projects. No tickets are sold at Wilder Park. Ticket sales, $25 in advance or $30 day of, are online only via elmhurstgardenclub.org/garden-walk-faire/.

Noche de Familia: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Explore the connection between monarch butterflies and Hispanic heritage through crafts, cuisine, songs and story time. Included with Arboretum admission: $18.95 for adults; $12.95 for seniors 65 and older; $12.95 for kids 4-17; free for kids 3 and younger. mortonarb.org.

Americana rock band Fletcher Rockwell will perform Sunday, July 13, at the Heritage Park Performance Pavilion as part of Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series. | Courtesy of Fletcher Rockwell

Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Fletcher Rockwell will perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

McHenry Fiesta Days fireworks: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road, McHenry. Music by Jimmy Nick and Fearless starting at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. No charge to park or at the gate. Limited parking available. mchenryfiestadays.com

Monday, July 14

Lords Park Zoo Family Concerts: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday, July 14, at Lords Park Zoo, 325 Hiawatha Drive, Elgin. Bring chairs, blankets and lunch for a concert under the shade of the Tefft Farm trees. Free. chambermusiconthefox.org.

Summer Community Concert Series: 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, July 14-15, at York High School’s north lawn, Elmhurst. Jazz band on Monday and concert band on Tuesday. Free. epd.org.

Tuesday, July 15

Wauconda Cruise Nights: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. Cars on display and family-friendly activities. Free. waucondacruisenight.com.

Concerts in the Plaza: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. American English will perform. $10 vehicle entrance fee starting at 4:30 p.m. lcfpd.org/things-to-do/concerts.

Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Eric Case Band will perform. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.

Dundee Township Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Grafelman Park, 112 N. 5th St., West Dundee. 45 RPM will perform. Free. dtpd.org/concerts-in-the-park

Huntley Concerts on the Square: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Huntley Town Square on Coral Street, Huntley. Radio Gaga will perform. Free. huntley.il.us.

Wednesday, July 16

Watch Professional Championship Bull Riding Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, during the Kane County Fair at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. | Daily Herald file photo

Kane County Fair: 3-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 16-17; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 18-19; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 4-H show, kids’ events, music on the Miller Lite Soundstage, magic show, petting zoo, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, carnival rides, a car show Saturday and Sunday, a livestock auction at 1 p.m. Sunday and more. Grandstand shows: Professional Championship Bullriders and Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Demolition Derby ($10) at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Cash admission at the gate: $5 Wednesday and Thursday; $10 adults, $5 for kids 3-12 Friday through Sunday; and free for kids younger than 3. Seniors older than 62 and military with ID admitted for free after 5 p.m. Thursday. Season pass $25. Free parking. kanecountyfair.com.

Car Fun on 21: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, on Church and Cook streets, Libertyville. Classic car show featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles 25 years and older, music and food from Rosati’s Pizza. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Family Fun Nights: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Lions Park, 570 Penny Road, East Dundee. Magic show and balloon twisting. Food and beverages for purchase. In case of inclement weather, it will be moved indoors to the Adult Activities Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. Free. dtpd.org/family-nights-in-the-park.

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. The Shagadelics will perform. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. 7th heaven will perform. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.

Side Street Studio Arts open mic: 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Side Street Studio arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Featuring 7-minute performances. $5 suggested donation to watch. Free to perform; sign up in advance via sidestreetstudioarts.org/live.

Sounds of Summer: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Palatine Concert Band will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer

Movies on the Green: Dusk Wednesday, July 16, at Centennial Green at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. See “Despicable Me 4.” Bring blankets and chairs. Free. mpdowntown.com/events

Thursday, July 17

Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Cook and Station streets, Barrington. Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out

Pearl Street Market + Concert in the Park: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Veterans Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Music from Brass on Fire, local vendors and food trucks. Free. facebook.com/pearlstreetmarketmchenry.

Music in the Park: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, in Covered Bridge Park, next to 445 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Colin Cimmarusti performs Nashville-style R&B and country rock. Free. longgrove.org/event/music-in-the-park.

Vernon Hills Days in Century Park runs Thursday through Sunday, July 17-20. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Vernon Hills Days: 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 17-18; 1-10 p.m. Saturday, July 19; and 1-7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Carnival, bags tournament, kids’ events and fireworks on Thursday. Lineup: July 17: Too Hype Crew; July 18: Starlight City; July 19: Heart to Heartbreaker and Tommy DeCarlo; and July 20: Modern Day Romeos. vhdays.com.

Buffalo Grove Park District Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Mike Rylko Community Park Amphitheater, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Karla and the Phat Cats will perform. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks for purchase. No outside alcohol allowed. Bring blankets and chairs. Free. bgparks.org/summer-concert-series

Roselle Concert in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Turner Park pavilion, Roselle Road and Devon Avenue, Roselle. Trabuco will perform, plus salsa dance instruction. Food trucks. Free. rparks.org.

Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Joe Marcinek Band will perform. Concessions available. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.

Algonquin Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Rico Band will perform. Food trucks at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Algonquin.org/summerconcerts.

Cary Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Lions Park, Silver Lake Road, north of Three Oaks Road, Cary. Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band will perform. Bring a lawn chair. Free. carypark.com.

Elgin’s Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Blvd., Elgin. Nanny Nikki Music will perform. Food truck. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled. Free. elginil.gov or facebook.com/cityofelgin.

Rockin’ in the Park Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Live The Who will perform, culminating with a musical fireworks display. Free. rosemont.com/thepark/calendar.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Heartache Tonight will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.

Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Lamoine River Ramblers will perform. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series

Ongoing

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for the season, offering jousting, food, live entertainment and more Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. | Daily Herald file photo

Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day) through Sept. 1, off I-94 at the Illinois/Wisconsin border, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha. Travel back in time for 30 acres of jousting, arts and crafts, food, music, dance, rides, games, entertainers and more. $40, $15 for kids 5-12, and free for 4 and younger. renfair.com/bristol.

Find more here.

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Pritzker: 2% support in potential presidential candidate poll – Wirepoints Quickpoint

Posted in Clown Car, ComEd Four, Commodius Maximus, Deception, Dinky, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Taxes, The Chicago Way, Uncategorized, Unions, Wirepoints on July 1, 2025| 1 Comment »

By Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner | Wirepoints

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pursued some of the nation’s most progressive policies while in office and he now claims Illinois is the “most progressive state” in the country. He’s right. Just look at what he’s managed to get passed in his 6.5 years. No cash bail. Constitutionally-enshrined government union powers. The elimination of school choice. An “assault rifle” ban. Utility-bill-busting green energy goals. The “most LGBTQ+ friendly” education policies. The Midwest’s abortion capital.

Pritzker is so confident in his policies that he’s gunning even further left to try and win the Democratic primary for president. Just listen to his speeches at Equality Illinois and in New Hampshire, where he all but announced his candidacy.

But few seem to be biting. At least that’s what the latest Emerson College Polling data says. Among the wide list of potential presidential candidates for Democratic primary voters to choose from, Pritzker ranked near the bottom with only 2% support.

And despite all his efforts and “investment” in diversity, equity and inclusion, his support among black primary voters hit just 1%.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Blame Pritzker’s numbers on a lack of name recognition, but his near-zero support is not from a lack of trying. He hosted the DNC. He launched the 2028 presidential cycle with his New Hampshire speech. And he’s spent Think Big millions in other states like Ohio and Wisconsin – all in an attempt to garner national attention.

More here.

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Gov. Pritzker was and remains part of the coverup of Biden’s mental decline

Posted in Deception, Elections, Ethics, Fat Bastard, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, The Chicago Way, Uncategorized on December 23, 2024| 1 Comment »

“This is the biggest scandal in America. And the level and volume of people who dedicated themselves to lying to everyone at home about this man’s condition for four-straight years up through this summer is breathtaking.” 

-Scott Jennings, CNN

By: Mark Glennon*

National stories abound this week about the concerted effort by media, the White House and Democratic officials lying to cover up Pres. Biden’s impaired mental capacity. Much of the commentary was sparked by a detailed Wall Street Journal report based on fifty interviews of people in or close to the White House. You can read it  here and see that Jennings’ comment above is no exaggeration. The coverup was there from the start, even while Biden was Obama’s vice president.

High among the guilty is one who remained steadfast and outspoken throughout Biden’s term in denying Biden’s impairment and claiming firsthand knowledge that Biden was fine. That’s Gov. JB Pritzker, who served as a Biden proxy during his candidacy.

Among comments Pritzker made:

“I’ve been with the President of the United States many times,” Pritzker said in February. “He is on the ball. The man knows more than most of us have forgotten.”

“Of course,” answered Pritzker when asked in July if Biden was “physically and mentally capable” of serving a second term.”

Pritzker resorted to smearing the special prosecutor who declined to prosecute Biden in part because of his mental condition, saying that a jury would see him as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” That was Robert Hur, an exceptionally well respected career prosecutor who reviewed the evidence and found that Biden had illegally taken possession of classified documents but was too frail to prosecute. “I smell a rat,” said Pritzker after Hur released his report, which included Hur’s conclusions about Biden’s conditions based on a deposition of Biden. “It was extremely unfair,” Pritzker said, for a Trump appointee, originally to the Department of Justice, to offer his own opinions about the mental acuity or age of the president of the United States.” In truth, there’s clearly nothing unfair about a prosecutor citing his reasons for believing that a jury would have found somebody too infirm to convict.

Pritzker even sought to make Biden’s age an asset, arguing that Biden had made age his “friend” and used his years to become “a gem of a human.” He went on: “I’ve thought a lot about why people care so much about age in this coming election, and I want to talk to you about it. We need to stop dismissing concerns about the physical age of a candidate, especially when that concern comes from a young person. Instead, what people are afraid of is the age of the candidates’ ideas,” he said.

Read more here.

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.

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