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Things to do Oct. 31 to Nov. 6: Halloween and Sneaker events, the 312 Comedy Festival and more

October 31, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Randall Oaks Fall Festival runs through Sunday | Courtesy Dundee Township Park District

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Oct. 31

McHenry Stade’s Farm Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday, Oct. 31, at 3709 Miller Road, McHenry. Free. stadesfarmandmarket.com.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Nov. 2, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows at 1:30 p.m. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. Included with zoo admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.

The Other Art Fair:  5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. Buy works directly from over 115 independent artists in a variety of mediums. Includes artist-designed mini golf: five playable holes that double as immersive installations. “Halloween Edition” on Friday night offers spooky vibes, bug pinning workshops, costume contests and more. Tickets are $40 Thursday, $25 Friday, and $18 Saturday and Sunday. theotherartfair.com/chicago

Jack O’Lantern World: Time slots start around 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 31 through Nov. 1, at Paulus Park, 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, and The Forge, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont. Thousands of pumpkins arranged in displays, a pumpkin patch, 30-foot inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden, mini golf and more. Tickets range from $17.99-$27.99. Thejackolanternworld.com.

Halloween on the Square: 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Woodstock Square, 100 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Trick-or-treat at businesses around the square. Costume contest at 4:45 p.m. woodstockil.gov

This is the last weekend for Six Flags Great America Fright Fest in Gurnee. | Courtesy of Six Flags Great America

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 1; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Plus, kids’ Boo Fest. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show — In Concert”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Stage production based on the cult classic film. Character costumes welcome. Approved audience participation bags are available for sale by phone and in person, while supplies last. Contains mature themes and language; kids younger than 15 must be accompanied by a guardian 21 or older. $40. metropolisarts.com

Saturday, Nov. 1

Day of the Dead 5K: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Sports Center Park, 2004 N. Municipal Way, Round Lake. This certified USATF race will begin and end outside the Sports Center. Registration fee includes a race shirt, bib and virtual goody bag. $35. rlapd.org

Pumpkin Smash: From Ground to Garden: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 1, at Frontier Park, 1933 N. Kennicott Drive, Arlington Heights. Bring Halloween pumpkins to help the park district’s EnviroGroup smash and pitch them into compostable material. Free. ahpd.org

Randall Oaks Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. See creepy crawlers, trick-or-treating all day, and costume parades at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $6. dtpd.org/boo-at-the-zoo

Fall-A-Palooza: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Cary Park District event featuring hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, pumpkin roll, pumpkin smash, DJ and more. $15 for 3 and older, $10 for kids 1-2, and free for kids younger than 1 and adults. carypark.com.

Sneaker Con Chicago takes place Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Schaumburg Convention Center. | Daily Herald File Photo, 2019

Sneaker Con Chicago: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Vendors and attendees can buy, sell and trade some of the most sought-after footwear. $28.19. sneakercon.com

Volo Paranormal Tours: Noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters at the Volo museum. $3 with museum admission. Reservations recommended. volofun.com.

Owl-O-Ween: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Wings and Talons shows how resident owls adapt and thrive in the ecosystem. Free. itasca.com.

Northwest Concert Band’s fall concert: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Featuring Mussorgsky’s 1874 “Pictures at an Exhibition” in its entirety, as well as John Williams’ “Lincoln,” “Mancini! A Medley for Concert Band” and “Country Road” by James Taylor. $10, payable at the door. Free for 18 and younger. northwestconcertband.org.

The Lovettes will perform Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage Theatre in Elgin. | Courtesy of Artists Lounge Live

The Lovettes: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The Chicago-based trio performs music of girl groups from the 1940s-’60s. $10-$29. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Fox Valley Concert Band: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. “Green and Pleasant Land.” Free. fvcb.org/wp.

See new and used model trains at the Great Midwest Train Show Sunday, Nov. 2, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. | Daily Herald File Photo, 2023

Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 110 exhibitors from across the U.S. with new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more. $7 online or $8 at the gate; cash only. Free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. trainshow.com.

Dinovember: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily Nov. 3-30 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.

312 Comedy Festival: Various times Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 4-9, at locations in Chicago. Comedy from Fortune Feimster, Ralph Barbosa, Pete Holmes, Dusty Slay, Earthquake, Patrick Warburton and more. For ticket info and the schedule, see 312comedyfestival.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Stargazing Party: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Peck Farm Park Orientation Barn, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Fox Valley Astronomical Society hosts a short discussion, then heads outside to discover the stars, sky and planets through their giant telescope. If there’s heavy cloud cover, stargazing will be canceled, but the lecture will be held. Dress for the weather. No registration required. Free. genevaparks.org.

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas”: Various times most Wednesdays through Sundays and some Tuesdays, Nov. 5 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. Ticket start at $70. marriotttheatre.com

Ongoing

Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, and free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

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.

Find more here.

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

Two Oaths of Office Administered at October Board of Trustees meeting

October 29, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

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.

Source

Posted in Appointments, VBHPD, Village Board | Leave a Comment »

Illinois House Democrats push first-in-the-world wealth tax, streaming, concert taxes

October 29, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

State lawmakers are rushing a first-in-the-world wealth tax on billionaires. They also want taxes on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify and steep surcharges on concerts and ticketed events.

By Dylan Sharkey | Illinois Policy Institute

Illinois House Democrats introduced a $1.5 billion transit funding plan with a wealth tax on hypothetical income that doesn’t exist anywhere in the world. Taxes on streaming services and ticketed events are also a part of the plan.

  • A 4.95% tax on unrealized capital gains for individuals with more than $1 billion in assets.
  • A 7% amusement tax on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify.
  • Increasing the sales tax in Cook County on certain food items by 0.25 percentage points.
  • A $5 surcharge on tickets for large concerts and performances.
  • Expanded speed camera enforcement in suburban areas to generate additional transit funding.

Illinois would be the first in the world to tax wealth based on unrealized capital gains. Billionaires can leave the state far more easily than others can. When they leave, Illinois loses out on their income, property and sales tax dollars. As the tax base shrinks, the state would need to make up for that lost revenue, and less wealthy Illinoisans will be the only ones left to tax.

There’s no stopping lawmakers from lowering the threshold at which it kicks in in the future. What starts with billionaires opens the door to taxing others next. Even Gov. J.B. Pritzker doesn’t support the proposal (Of course).

More here.

Posted in BOHICA, Cook, County, Illinois Policy Institute, Immigration, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Taxes, Unions | 1 Comment »

Please HIRE this individual* – “Palatine police officer assists in ‘stabilizing’ federal enforcement action, department says”

October 29, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

People protest outside the Palatine police station Oct. 28, 2025, after authorities said a Palatine police officer aided a federal enforcement action Monday morning. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune

By Tess Kenny | Chicago Tribune

Holding signs that read, “Do better be better” and “Resist,” about 100 people protested outside Palatine police headquarters Tuesday, a day after one of the department’s officers aided a federal enforcement action, a move that has raised questions over whether the officer acted in accordance with state law and prompted local backlash.

“I had thought that in Illinois, police are not supposed to help (U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” longtime Palatine resident Linda Sabor said as she stood alongside fellow demonstrators and her husband.

In Illinois, the TRUST Act prevents the use of state and local resources for civil immigration enforcement purposes, according to a fact sheet from the Illinois attorney general. The law, however, does not prevent law enforcement from “taking action to maintain peace and ensure public safety within their jurisdiction,” the fact sheet notes.

While noting that she didn’t fully know the state law, Sabor, 69, said she came because she wanted clarity on where her local authorities stood.

Just before noon Monday, Palatine police officers observed three federal agents attempting to take a person into custody after responding to a report of a disturbance in the northwest suburb, Palatine police said in a news release.

During the confrontation, a crowd of about 20 people gathered, with “several individuals shouting obscenities and moving toward the arresting agents,” according to the department. In turn, a Palatine officer positioned himself between the agents and the crowd “to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to maintain order at the scene,” the department added.

However, after continuing to see agents struggle with the person and “given the subject’s noncompliance, the agitated crowd and the potential risk of injury,” the officer “made the split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation,” the department said.

The officer gave verbal instructions in Spanish to the person being detained and grasped the person’s right arm — which was already being handcuffed — while the agents secured the person’s left arm to help bring the incident to a resolution, according to the department.

Read more here.

*It has been reported that our Village stands to lose as many as three police officers in 2026 due to retirements.

Posted in Crime, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Public Safety, VBHPD | Leave a Comment »

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

October 29, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

By LyLena Estabine | Illinois Policy Institute

A new safety ranking from WalletHub paints a stark picture for Chicago. Out of 182 U.S. cities, Chicago ranks 161st in overall safety.

For comparison, New York City ranks 117th. Los Angeles ranks 156th. Phoenix ranks 136th.

This poor ranking comes amid growing concerns about violent crime and transit safety. Despite repeated assurances from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson that the city is safe, these numbers tell a different story.

WalletHub evaluated each city on home and community safety, the risk of natural disaster and financial safety.

The only other Illinois municipality included in the ranking was Aurora, which ranked 33rd, much higher in the listing.

Read more here.

Posted in Crime, Dumb and Dumber, Illinois Policy Institute, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Trick-or-treating hours in Barrington Hills and nearby suburbs posted

October 28, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

Appointed State Senator Darby Hills dolled up as “Barbie” for Halloween in 2023. We anxiously look forward to learning what she masquerades as this year!

Daily Herald report

Halloween is this Friday, October 31st. Trick-or-treating hours in Barrington Hills are 3-7 PM. Nearby villages and towns posting hours include:

After Halloween is over, many towns offer pumpkin recycling events called “Pumpkin Smash” where residents can drop off their pumpkins for composting. To find a “Pumpkin Smash” near you, go to scarce.org/pumpkins/ or your town’s website.

Find more locations and times here.

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

Lake in the Hills man found with gun after claiming he fell asleep, crashed Tesla in autopilot into South Barrington police squad

October 28, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

A South Barrington police squad sustained heavy rear-end damage in a crash at Route 62 and Penny Road on October 15 with a Tesla whose driver | Joseph Fresso, 43, of Lake in the Hills (inset) — claimed his vehicle was on autopilot and he had fallen asleep. Provided Photos

By Sam Borcia | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Police have identified a Lake in the Hills man, who was found with a gun, as the Tesla driver who claimed he fell asleep with his car in autopilot mode when it crashed into a stopped South Barrington squad car, injuring officers.

The Barrington Hills Police Department responded around 10:35 p.m. on October 15 to assist the South Barrington Police Department with a crash involving one of their police squads.

Barrington Hills Police Department Public Information Officer William Walsh said the crash occurred on Route 62 near Penny Road.

An investigation determined that two South Barrington police vehicles were stopped on Route 62 west of Penny Road with their emergency lights activated, Walsh said.

The officers were conducting a traffic investigation in the eastbound right lane.

A 2022 Tesla Model Y was traveling eastbound on Route 62 when it struck the rear of one of the police vehicles, Walsh said.

The impact pushed the squad into the Mack truck that had been stopped by officers.

Joseph Fresso, 43, of Lake in the Hills.

Walsh said the driver of the Tesla, Joseph Fresso, 43, of Lake in the Hills, told officers his vehicle was engaged in self-driving mode.

Fresso said that he had fallen asleep and woke up too late to avoid the crash.

Read more here.

Posted in Accidents, Algonquin Rd, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, South Barrington, VBHPD, WTF | Leave a Comment »

Barrington Area Council of Governments meets tonight

October 28, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) Executive Board is scheduled to meet at 7 PM at the Tower Lakes Village Hall, 400 N IL Route 59.

Meeting agendas are posted by BACOG, but their website does state, “Copies of approved minutes for BACOG committee and executive board meetings are available upon request. Please submit requests by email to bacog@bacog.org.

Posted in BACOG, Overhead, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, South Barrington | Leave a Comment »

Village Board of Trustees meet tonight

October 27, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Board of Trustees will be conducting their regular monthly meeting this evening beginning at 6:30 PM. Topics on their agenda include:

  • [Vote] Resolution for Use of Motor Fuel Tax Funds ($190,000.00) on Snow Removal 2026 Resolution 25 –
  • [Vote] Ordinance Granting an Amendment to an Existing Special Use Permit to Allow for the Construction of a Multi-Purpose Interior Prayer and Assembly Space at 160 Hawthorne Road Ordinance 25 –
  • [Vote] Provide Advice and Consent, and to Approve the President’s Appointment of Marsha McClary to Fill the Unexpired Term of Trustee Darby Hills, Whose Resignation Created a Vacancy in the Office of the Village Trustee and to Assume Her Positions on Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees

A copy of their agenda can be viewed and downloaded here.

Posted in Aunt Blabby, BACOG, Big Red, Board of Health, Building Department, Dumb and Dumber, Economy, ePacket Agendas, Equestrian Commission, Ethics, Financial Reports, Insurance Committee, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Mac's Property Management, OMA, Pension Funding, Plan Commission, Police Pension Board, Politics, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Riding Club Commission, Roads & Bridges Committee, Special Use Permits, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, VBHPD, Village Attorney, Village Board, Village Clerk, Village Code, Village Director of Administration, Village Engineer, Village Government, Village President, Village Treasurer, Yabba Dabba Doo, Zoning Board | Leave a Comment »

CUSD 220 reports another decline in student enrollment

October 27, 2025 by Barrington Hills Observer

At their October 21st meeting, the CUSD 220 Board of Education received the, “Enrollment Status 30-Day,” report for the 2025-2026 school year. The report shows 7,953 students are currently enrolled.

This marks the 3rd year enrollment has declined, and 355 fewer students have been enrolled since 2020. A copy of the report can be found here.

Posted in 220, Barrington Education Association, Board of Education, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Education, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Politics, Property Taxes, School Districts, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Unions, What the Ficke (Bradford)? | Leave a Comment »

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