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Paving paradise?: Historic Barrington neighborhood opposes District 220’s plan to buy land for parking

November 15, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

506 W Main St, Barrington, IL 60010 | Zillow

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

A Barrington neighborhood with a rich history is gathering petitions to stop Barrington Area Unit District 220’s plans to buy four properties to provide parking for its new auditorium.

The district approved contracts in August to buy 502, 506 and 510 W. Main St. and 112 N. Hager Ave. at a cost of $985,000. Closings are expected next month, and the district is asking for village board zoning approval.

Residents of the Walnut Grove neighborhood told Barrington village board members Monday they oppose the rezoning from single-family residential to public lands.

The residents have collected more than 150 signatures, and several plan to speak at the District 220 school board meeting Tuesday.

They say the district’s plans endanger a neighborhood with deep roots in Barrington’s history — some of the homes date back to the Great Depression and include Sears kit homes built by Barrington High School shop students.

“There is always an ongoing conversation in our community about having enough parking at the high school,” not only for students and staff during the school day, but for after-hours activities, District 220 Superintendent Craig Winkelman said at the Aug. 19 school board meeting.

During the recent referendum, as the district was considering expanding the auditorium, the district received feedback about adding parking to accommodate the increased seating, he said.

However, Walnut Grove residents who voted for the recent referendum that made the auditorium possible say they were blindsided by the district’s decision. They worry about future land acquisition on their block and are a decline in property values.

Residents suggested the district use about 10 acres of buildable land it owns.

Read more here.

Related: The August 19, 2025 District 220 Board of Education meeting agenda included: “Consideration and Approval of Resolution Approving contract for purchase of 502, 506, 510 W. Main St. and 112 N. Hager Ave. (Nearly $1M total) properties.”

Posted in 220, Agendas, Barrington High School, Board of Education, Daily Herald, Deception, District 220 referendum, Ethics, Land Use, Politics, Real Estate, School Districts, Transparency, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | 1 Comment »

Pritzker’s Angry Violent Left Kills Any Hope of Immigration Compromise

November 15, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

By John Kass | John Kass News

One mistake people who don’t know me make is when they say I’m uncompromising.

That’s bs. I’m not uncompromising, except when it comes to bad whiskey, rude bartenders and snotty leftist journalists.  But when it comes to human beings, I’m all about listening to what reasonable people have to say in offering to avoid unnecessary strife.

The strife of the AWFLs (Angry White Female Leftists) or the Latina equivalent, which, is awfully unattractive to those voters who aren’t rabid commies.

So I was all ears when Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez was a recent guest on the Chicago Way Podcast to discuss possible compromise for law abiding illegal migrants who’ve been here for years, but who haven’t committed crimes. And I leave the podcast link here so you can hear for yourself.

“Well, there’s a pathway, John,” said Ald. Lopez.  “There really is. And I think the question is, are we willing to find a solution?

“Or are we just doing this so that we have an excuse to continue to fight Donald Trump and pander to the most extreme of our party? We can find a solution.

“And there’s a very simple one, which I presented to Donald Trump in my letter a few weeks ago, which is you have to take the broken immigration system that we have on a two-tier track and look at it from that perspective.

“You have to deal with the Biden-Harris migrants separately from how you deal with the long-term undocumented who have been forgotten about since Barack Obama first took office. And we can address both simultaneously and still achieve the goals that he put out as well as finally produce on something that Democrats have long talked about, which is granting amnesty to those long-term undocumented individuals. In Chicago, mostly Mexican individuals who are those hardworking people in our communities who have been waiting for a path forward, we can grant them a pardon, grant them amnesty, grant them a path forward.”

Amesty?

Hmmm.

Amnesty?

Read more here.

Posted in Crime, John Kass, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order | Leave a Comment »

Things to do Nov. 14-20: Reindeer Run at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Grand Kyiv Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ and more

November 14, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

Stroll through illuminated displays at Lightscape, running Friday, Nov. 14, through Jan. 4 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of Rikard Osterlund

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Nov. 14

Palatine Township Senior Center’s Winter Wonderland: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15, at the Palatine Township Senior Center, 505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Holiday market featuring handmade crafts, holiday items, baked goods, premade gift baskets and more. Free entry. ptscc.org.

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select dates Friday, Nov. 14, through Jan. 4 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a nighttime stroll through illuminated displays. Adults: $26 for members, $29 for nonmembers; kids 3-12: $14 members, $16 nonmembers; free for kids 2 and younger. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

IllumiBrew: 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Sample seasonal beers, ciders and meads from Chicago-area breweries stationed along the Illumination trail. Also, warming areas along the trail and snacks and hot beverages for purchase at the concession tent until 9:30 p.m. $95, includes 18, 3-ounce tastings and a tasting glass; $50 designated driver. Tickets: mortonarb.org

“Ordinary Days” cabaret: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 235 S. Kenilworth, Elmhurst. An evening of music and storytelling featuring songs from the musical “Ordinary Days” with Fox Country Players cast. Freewill offering to support the church’s music ministry. elmhurstucc.org.

ECC Theatre’s “Our Town”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at ECC Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic. $12-$14. eccartscenter.org

Elgin Theater Company’s “Love, Loss and What I Wore”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 14-23, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor, Elgin. The play, based on Ilene Beckerman’s book, explores women’s lives through the lens of their clothing and the memories they evoke. $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org.

“It’s A Wonderful Christmas Carol”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 14 and 21; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 22 and 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Theatre 121’s world premiere of this new holiday play, written by local playwrights Joel Bennett and Jeff Cook, blends the charm of “It’s a Wonderful Life” with the spirit of “A Christmas Carol.” $17-$35. theatre121.org.

“Let’s Hang On: A Rock ’N Soul Party”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Former stars of “Jersey Boys” and PBS television’s vocal-group sensation Under the Streetlamp — Michael Ingersoll, Eric Gutman, John-Mark McGaha and Christopher Kale Jones — perform feel-good anthems of yesteryear. $40. metropolisarts.com.

Saturday, Nov. 15

Recycled Christmas Resale Event: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Gently used Christmas decor, including vintage items, trees, ornaments, housewares and more and a bake sale. All proceeds go to charities supporting women and children. Free entry and parking. facebook.com/recycledchristmasandrummagesales.

Frostmoon Faire at The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at The Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Creative Arts students’ and instructors’ art display, arts and crafts vendors, art demos, live music by the Crystal Lake Madrigal Singers, costumed characters, art scavenger hunt, food truck, photo booths, and kids’ activities including coloring, scratch art, cookie decorating and games. Fairy or medieval garb encouraged. Donations appreciated. thedole.org

Mini Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Books, comics, movies, games and more. Costumes encouraged. Free. vapld.info

Gobbleology, the Science of Turkeys: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Learn turkey facts, create crafts, enjoy a turkey treat and hot cider and a campfire. Hasselmann Family Farm will have a live turkey on-site. Free. Register: elginil.gov/recreation.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont will hold its Holiday Wine Tasting Saturday, Nov. 15, in partnership with Tapville Social. | Courtesy of Carol Fox & Associates

Fashion Outlets of Chicago Holiday Wine Tasting: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Visit six wine tasting stations located inside participating Fashion Outlets retail stores to receive a one-ounce sample of wine. All attendees will receive a Fashion Outlets of Chicago Savings Pass and can create up to three custom wine charms at the wine charm bar. $25. fashionoutletsofchicago.com

Holiday Tree Lighting at The Arb: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, on Main Street at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Beginning with a parade down Main Street featuring Santa, stilt walkers, dancing elves and more, ending in Main Street Plaza for the grand finale. Join Tina Bree from Star 105.5 to light The Arb’s holiday tree, followed by a holiday dance party. Features live music from Dave Mikulskis of Hi Infidelity, Pino Farina, Courtney Juric, and Josh Scholl of Radio Gaga, as well as the Wickstrom Lincoln Holiday Tent with balloon artists, face painters, strolling magicians and holiday tunes. Free. shopthearb.com.

Participants in Brookfield Zoo’s 2-mile Reindeer Run Saturday, Nov. 15, can get a sneak peek of the zoo lit up for the holidays. | Courtesy of CZS Brookfield Zoo

Reindeer Run: 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Run a fun run under the lights and be the first to see Holiday Magic on the 2-mile course entirely within the zoo. Registered participants receive a commemorative hat. Pavilions open with music, plus  food and drinks for purchase. $45. Register: brookfieldzoo.org/ReindeerRun.

Holiday Trivia Dinner: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., West Chicago. For 21 and older, a festive night of friendly trivia and a buffet dinner. Tickets ($50-$60) include one drink ticket, with a cash bar available. Child care available for kids 3-11 with preregistration. Register: we-goparks.org/special-events.

“Elf — The Musical”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; 1:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 16, 23 and 30; and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 22 and 29, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Musical based on the hit movie. $13-$30. cuttinghall.org.

“A Christmas Carol”: Various times and days, Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story. Tickets start at $34. goodmantheatre.org.

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle runs Saturday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 3. | Courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

Illumination: Tree Lights: Saturday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 3 at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Roast marshmallows for s’mores and enjoy a hot seasonal beverage from the concession tents along the trail. Sensory-friendly night on Tuesday, Nov. 18. New this year, Illumination Dog Admission Nights on Wednesdays, Dec. 3-17. The exhibition is closed select Mondays and Tuesdays and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets start at $20. mortonarb.org.

Sunday, Nov. 16

Homemade for the Holidays: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Learn how early settlers decorated their schools and homes for Christmas and make decorations. Suggested donation: $3 or $1 for ages 18 and younger. ppfv.org

Thanksgiving Community Feast: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Wheeling Park District residents and their families are invited to a traditional Thanksgiving-style meal with music and crafts. Registration required. Free for residents. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

EYSO’s “It’s All Relative”: 1:30, 4:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, in Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $27, $22 for seniors and $7 for students. eccartscenter.org

Elmhurst Symphony’s “Classical Giants”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. William Welter, principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, makes his solo debut with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra on this all-classical program with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Mozart’s Oboe Concerto in C and Symphony No. 39. Pre-concert talk at 1:45 p.m. $12-$45. elmhurstsymphony.org.

Hear the sounds of the 1969 Casavant/Allen Organ at Journey of Hope United Methodist Church in Elgin on the next stop of the Great Elgin Pipe Organ Tour on Sunday, Nov. 16. | Courtesy of Great Elgin Pipe Organ Tour

Great Elgin Pipe Organ Tour: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at Journey of Hope United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. Second stop on the annual music tour. Freewill offering. fcc-elgin.org/organ-tour/.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Critics Classics: 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, Elk Grove Village. Screening of the 1987 John Hughes’ comedy “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” starring Steve Martin and John Candy. Hosted by the Chicago Film Critics Association. $9 or $7 matinee; $7-$6 for 60 and older, $1.50 booking fee. classiccinemas.com.

Midweek Matinee: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). $5. woodstockoperahouse.com

Holiday Twilight Shop: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in downtown Arlington Heights. The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual event features specials, local gift card giveaways and more. arlingtonhcc.com.

John Abendshien, the original owner of the Winnetka house used in the movie “Home Alone,” will hold a signing of his book “Home But Alone No More” along with artist Julia Hagen Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Lake Forest Book Store. | Courtesy of Jennifer Reardon

“Home But Alone No More” book signing: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Lake Forest Book Store, 662 N. Western Ave., Lake Forest. Book signing event with John Abendshien, the original owner of the iconic Winnetka “Home Alone” house and author of “Home But Alone No More,” and artist Julia Hagen. Free. homebutalonenomore.com

MCC Jazz Ensemble: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Free. mchenry.edu/events.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Bliss Holiday Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Avante Banquets, 1050 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. Handmade and artisan goods, holiday decor, boutique items, and gourmet food and treats. Free entry. barringtonchamber.com.

Ladies Night Out: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Bartlett Hills Golf Club, 800 W. Oneida Ave., Bartlett. Fashion show by Closet Boutique, raffles, hors d’oeuvres, shopping with local vendors, DJ, wine and cheese tasting and more. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For reservations, call (630) 213-3103 or email Evan@bartletthills.com. bartletthills.com

Zoo After Dark — Holiday Sip & Stroll: 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Explore the zoo’s holiday lights, plus a DJ dance party, seasonal cocktails and more. For 21 and older. $45. brookfieldzoo.org/HolidaySipAndStroll.

Barrington Area Artists Association Art Sale: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, and 2-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Members of the Barrington Area Artists Association, both professional and amateur artists, will showcase and sell hundreds of fine art pieces. Free; registration required at barringtonswhitehouse.com.

Ukraine’s Grand Kyiv Ballet brings its rendition of “The Nutcracker” to the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture in Chicago on Thursday, Nov. 20. | Courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet

Grand Kyiv Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Featuring dancers from Ukraine’s Grand Kyiv Ballet. Tickets start at $53. athenaeumcenter.org/events/2025/nutcracker.

“A Christmas Carol — A Live Radio Play”: Preview at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20; regular run: various times Fridays through Sundays, with select Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Dec. 28 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. Return to WBFR Studios on Christmas Eve in 1946 and follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey to find the true spirit of the holiday season, complete with live sound effects, radio jingles and more. $55. oillamptheater.org.

Ongoing

Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Lights: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 5 at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The museum’s annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by a forest of more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers to represent the holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. Museum admission: adults $25.95; kids 3-11 $14.95; free for members. griffinmsi.org

Dinovember: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Nov. 30 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Learn about dinosaurs at 1:30 p.m. daily during the Dino-keeper Chat. Plus, embark on the Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt; complete it and claim a prize at the gift shop. $6 or free for ages 1 and younger or U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/dinovember.

Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 30 at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan, 32405 N. U.S. Hwy. 12, Ingleside. Lights transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail featuring creatures from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films. A themed village at the end of the trail offers food and drink (Butterbeer) and a gift shop. Tickets start at $31 for kids 3-12 and $46 for adults. HPForbiddenForestExperience.com.

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas”: Various times most Wednesdays through Sundays and some Tuesdays through Jan. 4 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Christmas musical in which Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together to celebrate the holidays at Sun Records studio. Tickets start at $70. marriotttheatre.com

Find more here.

 

Posted in Entertainment, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Elderly woman accidentally crashes car into front of two businesses in downtown Barrington

November 13, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

No injuries were reported after a car drove into the front of two stores in the 100 block of West Northwest Highway in Barrington on the corner of Route 59 and Route 14 Friday morning. | Photos Submitted to Lake and McHenry County Scanner

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

An elderly woman was uninjured after she accidentally crashed her car into the front of two stores in downtown Barrington, shattering the glass windows, police said.

The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded around 11 a.m. Friday to the 100 block of West Northwest Highway for a report of a vehicle crash.

Emergency crews arrived and found a car that had crashed into a strip mall building on the southwest corner of Route 59 and Route 14.

Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said the 2023 Honda Accord struck the front of 113 West Northwest Highway and 123 West Northwest Highway.

The Honda hit the steel support beam in between the two stores — Suppes Inc. and Ben E. Salon Spa.

No injuries were reported after a car drove into the front of two stores in the 100 block of West Northwest Highway in Barrington on the corner of Route 59 and Route 14 Friday morning. | Photos Submitted to Lake and McHenry County Scanner

The building did not sustain structural damage but the glass windows shattered.

The driver, a 77-year-old Fox River Grove woman, told officers she was attempting to park her Honda in front of Ben E. Salon Spa, Daigle said.

Read more here.

Posted in Lake & McHenry County Scanner | Leave a Comment »

US Mint presses final pennies as production ends after more than 230 years

November 13, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach holds one of the last pennies pressed at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | AP Photo/Matt Slocum

By  MARYCLAIRE DALE | Associated Press

The U.S. ended production of the penny Wednesday, abandoning the 1-cent coins that were embedded in American culture for more than 230 years but became nearly worthless.

When it was introduced in 1793, a penny could buy a biscuit, a candle or a piece of candy. Now most of them are cast aside to sit in jars or junk drawers, and each one costs nearly 4 cents to make.

“God bless America, and we’re going to save the taxpayers $56 million,” Treasurer Brandon Beach said at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia before hitting a button to strike the final penny. The coins were then carefully placed on a tray for journalists to see. The last few pennies were to be auctioned off.

Billions of pennies are still in circulation and will remain legal tender, but new ones will no longer be made.

The last U.S. coin to be discontinued was the half-cent in 1857, Beach said.

More here.

Posted in Economy, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

Illinois Route 62 Study November 2025 Project Update

November 12, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

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’”

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 | Leave a Comment »

Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation

November 11, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

Chicago-area sales taxes were already No. 2 in the U.S., but new taxing authority handed to the Regional Transportation Authority will raise them to No. 1.

By Ravi Mishra | Illinois Policy Institute

Chicago’s 10.25% combined sales tax currently ranks second among major cities, behind only Seattle’s 10.35%, but a 0.25-point hike for transit will make them the highest in America.

The new Regional Transportation Authority funding bill, which increases the Chicago metro area sales tax by 0.25 percentage points, has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and now sits on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. Once signed, it will give Chicago the highest sales-tax rate of any major city in the nation at 10.5%.

M

Chicago’s current sales tax is broken down into four categories:

  • 6.25% statewide sales tax.
  • 1.25% city sales tax.
  • 1.75% county sales tax.
  • 1% RTA tax.

Under the bill, the RTA portion of the tax will rise from 1% to1.25% in Cook County starting June 2026. In the collar counties it will increase from 0.75% to 1%.

Now that this bill has cleared the state legislature, Pritzker will have 60 days to sign it into law.

Read more here.

Posted in Deception, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb Bunny, Illinois Policy Institute, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Taxes | Leave a Comment »

How a 101-year-old WWII veteran from Barrington Hills brought a daughter closer to her late father

November 11, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

George Hitchcock, a 101-year-old veteran from Barrington Hills, piloted 27 B-17 bombing missions in the European theater during World War II. | Joe Lewnard/ lewnard@dailyherald.com

By Christopher Placek | Daily Herald

Kathy Rennie never got to meet her father, who perished in World War II when her mother was three months pregnant.

But through Rennie’s discovery of a 101-year-old veteran from Barrington Hills — and their friendship that has blossomed in recent years — she feels like she knows her dad a little bit.

Rennie’s mother spent years trying to find any of the five surviving crew members from the fateful Feb. 14, 1945, B-17 bombing mission over the North Sea between England and Germany. It was on that flight that four others — including Rennie’s dad, Sgt. Walter Mayer, a 30-year-old radio operator from a small town in Minnesota — had to bail after one of the plane’s engines caught fire.

Mayer parachuted into the cold waters below, and his body has never been recovered. He is still listed as missing in action.

Only about 15 years ago did Rennie learn of a museum in Tucson, Arizona dedicated to the history of her dad’s unit in the U.S. Army Air Forces: the 390th Bombardment Group. Officials there provided two names and phone numbers of possible survivors in his squadron, the 570th.

One number was disconnected, but Rennie was able to call and leave a message on the other.

“It was like about 10 o’clock, and we were in bed already, and I heard the phone ring out in the kitchen and this long message coming to us,” said Rennie, who lives in Bloomington, Minnesota. “So I ran out there, and it was him calling back — this man. And so then I picked it up, and we had a 20-minute conversation. And he told me that he was the pilot of the plane — the only one left. The pilot of the plane!”

The man on the other end of the line was George Hitchcock.

“She was so elated to find somebody who knew (her father), saw him, touched him, and that sort of thing,” said Hitchcock, who, as a 21-year-old captain, flew 27 missions in the European theater toward the end of the war.

George Hitchcock, left, struck up a friendship with Kathy Rennie decades after he piloted a war plane on which her father was aboard. | Courtesy of George Hitchcock

That phone call led to a visit months later at Hitchcock’s Barrington Hills home, subsequent trips by two of Rennie’s children, a FaceTime with other Minnesota-based family members, and plenty of other phone calls, exchanges of emails and Christmas cards.

Rennie visited Hitchcock again in 2023 just before he turned 100, and now they often talk on the phone twice a week.

“We became very good buddies,” he said. “She felt sort of close to me for some reason.”

Read more here.

Posted in Resident Spotlights, The Greatest Generation | Leave a Comment »

‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ will broadcast live from downtown Chicago this year

November 10, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

New Year’s Eve fireworks explode over the Chicago River on Jan. 1, 2024, in Chicago. | Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune

By Doug George | Chicago Tribune

Chicago will join Times Square on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” this year, with Chicago’s New Year’s Eve celebrations televised for the first time on the ABC broadcast.

An hour after the ball drops in New York, the show will add a Central Time zone midnight countdown live from downtown Chicago, according to an announcement Monday from ABC and Dick Clark Productions.

Hosts and musical guests in Chicago have yet to be announced, but the show expects to televise the fireworks on the bridges over the Chicago River. A spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions said the program was working with local ABC station WLS-TV and Mayor Brandon (“Dumb Bunny”) Johnson’s office to make it happen.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and dynamism of our city and its people for the world to see,” Johnson said in part in a statement. “We could not be more excited to welcome in the new year with fireworks, music, and Chicago pride.”

Read more here.

Editorial note: The perfect storm: Fireworks, inebriated crowds, a demoralized police force and a national audience to witness what ensues.

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Village Hall construction scheduled to begin today

November 10, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Hall North entrance will be closed to the public during construction.

The Village Hall North entrance (pictured above) will be closed to the public during construction.

“Starting Monday, November 10, the Barrington Hills Village Hall will begin renovations on the second floor (Administrative Offices).

The Village Hall will stay open during construction, but access will be limited. We encourage everyone to call (847-551-3000) or email (village@vbhil.gov) us your questions, concerns, and applications whenever possible.

Please use the west entrance during this time.

The north door will be closed to the public and used only for Village meetings.

We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements! Most of the construction should be finished before the end of the year.”

Source

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