The monthly Village Adjudication Hearing(s) is scheduled for today at 11 AM in the MacArthur Board Room.
Archive for the ‘Village Board’ Category
Village Adjudication Hearing(s) today
Posted in Adjudication Hearing, Aunt Blabby, Commercial Horse Boarding, Village Code, Village Government on December 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »
U.S. Route 14 Underpass Update
Posted in Aunt Blabby, EJ&E/Canadian National, IDOT, Road construction on December 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Construction activity has continued since Route 14 reopened on its new temporary four-lane roadway at the end of October.
Over the past month, crews have completed the following work:
- Installed sheeting just east of IL 59 (Hough Street). This sheeting will allow crews to safely excavate the area needed for the new Route 14 culvert, a storm sewer that will carry the relocated Flint Creek beneath the roadway.
- Substantially completed the pump pit structure for the storm sewer pump station. Most of the surrounding area has been designed to drain naturally away from the Route 14 underpass. However, during rain events, the sloped roadway sections will channel water toward the lowest point of the underpass. Large storm sewers will capture this water and direct it underground to the pump station, located just east of Jiffy Lube. The pump station will collect water in the completed pit, pump it back to the surface level, and release it slowly into the relocated Flint Creek. This entire drainage system has been engineered to ensure positive drainage and has been reviewed and approved by the state, Department of Natural Resources, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Installed foundations for future noise walls around the project perimeter.
- Continued relocating utilities.
Weather and material availability permitting, the contractor plans to begin excavation and installation of the Route 14 culvert over the next month, along with continued construction of the pump station. As utility relocation progresses, the contractor will refine plans for early next year. Upcoming work is expected to include the following: preparation for retaining walls, additional utility installations, and construction of the railroad bridge structure.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the dedicated project website us14underpass.com or watch for email notifications.
Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Education Association, BOHICA, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Policy Institute, Pension Funding, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts, Springfield, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? on December 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »
As state lawmakers look to plug budget holes by removing limits on state income tax rates, Illinois’ spending is set to continue breaking records.
By Ravi Mishra | Illinois Policy Institute
The state budget has grown by 35% since 2020, but Illinois lawmakers want more and hope to get it by amending the Illinois Constitution so they can potentially tax retirees and target income groups of their choosing.
The proposed amendment would end Illinois’ longstanding flat income tax. Supporters claim it would relieve property tax pressures and boost school funding. But voters statewide rejected progressive tax schemes because they promised to hit retirees, family farms and small businesses hard.
The flat tax makes it painful for state lawmakers to raise taxes, because when they do all taxpayers suffer and hold them responsible at the next election. Killing the flat tax gives lawmakers the power to divide and conquer taxpayers.
Illinois has record spending
The problem is not income but rather spending: Illinois’ budget has grown at an alarming rate. An influx of federal pandemic funds marked for temporary relief allowed lawmakers to add billions into the general funds baseline spending.
Since 2020, Illinois’ annual general funds spending has increased by over $15 billion and is projected to grow another $7 billion by 2029. That would mark a 55% spending increase in just 10 years.
With the state projecting nearly $11 billion in budget deficits through 2029, this level of unchecked spending is unsustainable. That is, unless state lawmakers can force more taxation on Illinoisans.
Read more here.
Special Roads & Bridges Committee meeting tomorrow
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Dance Ensemble, Dumb and Dumber, Politics, Property Taxes, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, TMI, Transparency, U.S. Route 14 Underpass, Village Director of Administration, Village President on December 1, 2025| 4 Comments »
The Village Roads & Bridges Committee meets Tuesday at 2PM. This marks only the second time the committee has met in 2025, and the topic is, “Road Program 2026.”
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Equestrian Commission/Riding Club meets tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Hills Farm, Barrington Hills Park District, Barrington Hills Polo Club, Bicyclists, BraveHearts, Clown Car, Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Don't Change Barrington Hills, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Frau Blücher, FRVPC, FUBAR, Goat Rodeo, Horizon Farm, Horse Boarding, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, LeCompte/Anderson Commercial Horse boarding amendment, Lighting Ordinance, Look For The Union Label, Mad Cows, Massbach Hounds, Open Meetings Act, Overhead, Plan Commission, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, Save 5 Acres, SOUL Harbour Ranch, Taxes, The Other Half, Traffic, Transparency, Unions, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Well Water Quality, Your Barrington Hills on December 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Equestrian Commission/Riding Club will be meeting this evening at 6:30 PM. Though scheduled to meet quarterly, their last meeting was over a year ago on August 7, 2024.
Topics on their agenda include:
- Commission Member Introductions (“Getting To Know You”)
- Acorn Corner Subdivision Equestrian Trail (Recommendation)
- Equestrian-Related Signage, and
- Non-Permitted Fireworks: Effect on Equines
A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Thanksgiving Holiday Village snow total reported to be 11.1″
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Roads & Bridges Committee, Topics Of Interest on November 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“Widespread snowfall totals of 6-12″ were common across much of Northern and Central Illinois!”
Village Board of Trustees meet tonight
Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Board of Health, Clown Car, Dumb and Dumber, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Finance Committee, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Minutes, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Police Reports, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Riding Club Commission, Road construction, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board on November 17, 2025| 1 Comment »
The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:
- 2025 Estimated Tax Levy—Draft
- [Vote] Ordinance Adopting the Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps Published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Amending the Village’s Flood Damage Prevention Regulations in Title 4, Chapter 5 of the Village Code
- [Vote] Approve Insurance Renewal for General Liability, Property, Auto, Management Liability, Excess Liability, Workers Comp, Bonds and Cyber Coverages
A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.
Illinois Route 62 Study November 2025 Project Update
Posted in Algonquin Rd, Aunt Blabby, Cook, County, Deception, FPDCC, FUBAR, IDOT, Land Use, Longmeadow Parkway, Mówimy po polsku, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Real Estate, Roads & Bridges Committee, Roads and Bridges, SNAFU, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic on November 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Input from the public, stakeholders, and local agencies has been considered and incorporated over the course of the study. To date, there have been two (2) public meetings and five (5) Community Advisory Group Meetings. IDOT has also met with representatives from the Village of Barrington Hills, Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) multiple times at key project milestones. Input from these meetings has helped IDOT establish the Purpose and Need, develop the Reasonable Range of Alternatives, identify the Alternatives to be Carried Forward, and select a Preferred Alternative.
The two typical sections included in the Alternatives to be Carried Forward (see September 2023 update) were further refined based on the following design goals and coordination with FPCC, ISGS, USFWS:
- Minimize land acquisition from FPCC
- Minimize impacts to threatened and endangered species habitat
- Improve flood protection of IL 62
- Maintain existing surface and groundwater conditions that support endangered species habitat
- Reduce pollutants from stormwater runoff
These refinements have led to a Preferred Alternative that satisfies the Purpose and Need while minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment by incorporating a combination of three typical sections. All three typical sections include four (4) travel lanes, paved shoulders, mountable curbs, closed drainage, and a shared-use path. The Preferred Alternative is divided into two segments due to the differences in land use and the environmental resources as shown in the following figures.
- Segment 1 – West of Bateman Road and east of Old Sutton Road:
- This segment (shown in purple in Figure 1) has one typical section as shown in Figure 2.
- Segment 2 – Between Bateman Road and Old Sutton Road:
- This segment (shown in orange/yellow in Figure 1) is restricted by the surrounding FPCC property and environmental resources. This segment utilizes two typical sections as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
IDOT is currently developing the preliminary right-of-way needs of the Preferred Alternative and potential impacts to various environmental, community, agricultural, and cultural resources within the study area. IDOT plans to present the Preferred Alternative and summary of impacts to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and resource agencies for concurrence in February 2026. Once concurrence on the Preferred Alternative has been received, a draft of the Environmental Assessment document will be prepared and made available for public review and input.
Figure 1: Preferred Alternative Segments
(Click on images to enlarge)
Figure 2: 10-ft Outside Shoulders with 4:1 Fore Slopes (Segment 1-Purple)
Figure 3: 2-ft Outside Shoulders with Retaining Walls (Segment 2-Orange)
Figure 4: Continuous Bridge over Shallow Groundwater (Segment 2-Yellow)
Read more and comment here.
Related: “Here’s what’s in Illinois’ $50.6B six-year infrastructure plan (10.3.25),” “IDOT seeks public input on roads, rail, and EVs,” “IDOT releases Algonquin Road/Route 62 ‘project update’”
Route 14 Reopens on New Temporary Four-Lane Roadway
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Barrington Area Library, EJ&E/Canadian National, Road construction, Traffic on October 31, 2025| Leave a Comment »
“The Village of Barrington is excited to announce that Route 14 has officially reopened on its new temporary four-lane roadway, along with the temporary two-lane Lake Zurich Road. Both roadways opened today, Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m.
During the full temporary closure, which began in September, crews completed several key components to prepare for this major milestone, including:
- Four new lanes of pavement
- Temporary railroad tracks
- A full railroad crossing, including two pedestrian gates
- Temporary sidewalk
The Village currently anticipates substantial completion of the Route 14 underpass project in 2027 and will continue to share updates as major milestones are reached.
In the meantime, the public is encouraged to support Barrington’s local businesses and restaurants throughout the ongoing construction period.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the dedicated project website us14underpass.com or watch for email notifications.”
Two Oaths of Office Administered at October Board of Trustees meeting
Posted in Appointments, VBHPD, Village Board on October 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »
The Village is pleased to announce that two individuals were recently sworn into office at the Board of Trustees meeting: Marsha McClary and Kevin Del Re.
Posted to the Village website:
“Trustee Marsha McClary
On Monday, October 27, 2025, resident Marsha McClary was sworn in as Village Trustee, filling the unexpired term of Trustee Darby Hills, whose resignation created a vacancy in the Office of Village Trustee.
Marsha McClary grew up locally, attending St. Anne’s School and Barrington High School, and has lived in Barrington Hills with her family for the past ten years.
She earned her Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Throughout her career, she has held executive roles directing strategy, operations, finance, and stakeholder engagement in entrepreneurial companies, as well as a 20-year tenure with a Fortune Global 500 pharmaceutical corporation. Her executive experience has established her reputation for sound governance, operational rigor, and collaborative leadership.
Alongside her career, Marsha has been deeply involved in charitable and civic service. She has served on the board of Feed My Starving Children, leads a Moms for Liberty chapter, mentors youth in leadership and STEM, and has advised stewardship ministry initiatives. In these roles, she puts into practice values of integrity, service, and compassion.
As Trustee, she remains committed to protecting the natural beauty and tranquility that define Barrington Hills. Trustee McClary’s appointed term will expire in 2027.
Congratulations and Welcome Aboard, Trustee Marsha McClary!
Police Officer Kevin Del Re
At the same Board of Trustees Meeting, Monday, October 27, 2025, Police Chief Kyle Murphy was pleased to introduce the Department’s newest Police Officer, Kevin Del Re, who was ceremoniously sworn in to the rank of Police Officer. A touching moment followed as Officer Del Re’s youngest son had the honor of pinning on his father’s badge.
A show of support from his fellow Department members filled the MacArthur Room, celebrating this momentous event.
Officer Del Re grew up in McHenry County and attended Western Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. He comes to our Village with 13 years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer from the Village of Johnsburg, where he earned an excellent reputation in community policing.
Officer Del Re began his employment with the Barrington Hills Police Department on October 1st and is currently in our field training program.
Congratulations, Officer Del Re, and Welcome to the Village of Barrington Hills!”
Newly sworn-in Trustee Marsha McClary pictured with fellow Trustees. (L-R: JC Clarke, Laura AB Ekstrom, President Brian D&D Cecola, Marsha McClary, David D&D Riff, Jessica Hoffmann.) Not pictured: Thomas Strauss.
Comments
Thomas Paine on Despite widespread local oppos… joefargo3767 on IRS: Illinois led nation in ra… Tomato, tomahto on Despite widespread local oppos… mXc on Despite widespread local oppos… joefargo3767 on Village of Barrington Presiden… joefargo3767 on Chicago mayor links restaurant… Nick Daw on Chicago mayor links restaurant… Recently Viewed Posts
- Carpentersville could save $2M by switching to new 911 dispatching service
- Barrington Hills new-construction home hits market asking $6M
- Cuba Township Assessor Shares: Important Update Regarding Upcoming Property Tax Bills
- Barrington Road widening project begins soon in South Barrington
- Despite widespread local opposition, “North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors,” rallies members to support Pritzker’s BUILD Plan
Archives
Categories
Subscribe to The Observer
