Welcome to the Village of Barrington E-Newsletter!
This newsletter is intended to help keep you informed of the latest news and happenings in Barrington. Subscribe Here.
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A Message from Karen Darch: The Rt. 14 Underpass Project is Moving Along Steadily
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Happy Friday!
It may seem like a lifetime ago, but just about 6 months before the COVID-19 pandemic turned all our attention to public health, the Village had received the wonderful news in October 2019 that we had finally received over $50 million in federal and state money to fund the long-awaited Route 14 underpass near Lake Zurich Road.
For those of you who have lived in Barrington for at least a decade or longer, you'll likely understand the vast importance of this project. "Since 2007, when CN announced its plans to acquire the EJ&E railroad and increase freight traffic from 5 trains per day to 20 per day on that line, the Village has worked to fund and create a grade separation between the railroad and at least one of the 4 roadways--3 of which are major regional roadways-which the rail line crosses in downtown Barrington at grade.Since the acquisition ,multiple, lengthy trains -some over 10.000 feet long- routinely stop traffic by blocking all crossings in town, causing traffic backups and concerns about public safety and hospital access. It has been a source of much frustration and concern for our residents over the years."
If you are a newer resident of Barrington, you've likely been impacted by the train traffic, but you may not know all the background on the multi-decade effort to achieve the funding for the coming underpass, which will ensure that the main traffic artery in town will never again be impacted by train traffic. I'd like to encourage you to go to our web site at barrington-il.gov/underpass to learn more about this important project.
In 2023, our community will begin to see construction on the underpass commence. The necessary pre-construction steps are currently underway. Just this month, we received word from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), that land acquisition appraisal work for remaining temporary and permanent easements and acquisitions required for the project will begin shortly (see article below).
It is exciting that the underpass is indeed moving forward, after a long and hard-fought battle to achieve its funding. Soon we will have a free-flowing way to bypass train traffic on Route 14, and that will be a happy day in Barrington.
Karen Darch
Village President
P.S. - A big congratulations to the Barrington High School Girls' and Boys' Basketball Teams, which finished 2nd and 3rd at State, respectively. Way to go to our BHS athletes! (See article below).
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Meet Your Village Board of Trustees:
Mike Moran
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Trustee Mike Moran and his family have lived in Fox Point since 2005. He and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Grace and Jack, who have both attended Lines School, Station Middle School and Barrington High School.
Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Illinois, Champaign and owns and operates a local/regional LTL trucking company and warehouse/fulfillment business in Elk Grove Village. Mike has been involved in the Barrington Area Soccer Association and has served on the Fox Point Homeowners Association Board of Directors. Mike was appointed Trustee in 2019.
To learn more about your Village Board of Trustees, click here.
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BHS Basketball Teams Finish Big at State |
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Congratulations to the Barrington High School Girls' and Boys' Basketball teams, which did their community proud by finishing big in the state tournament.
After outstanding seasons, the Fillies girls team came in second place and the Broncos boys team finished third at State. Both teams received a rousing welcome back home with a ride on the Barrington fire trucks through town and back to Barrington High School.
Way to go, Fillies and Broncos basketball!
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Route 14 Underpass Update: Latest News
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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has informed the Village that land acquisition appraisal work for remaining temporary and permanent easements and acquisitions required for the project will begin this month. IDOT is managing this process directly and impacted property owners can expect to receive a letter directly from the appraiser which will offer the opportunity to meet and review the subject property area together. An informational video reviewing the project history, status, construction sequencing and a drive-through rendering of the completed project is available, along with additional exhibits, on the Village website here: barrington-il.gov/underpass
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Summer Events Kick Off with Barrington Art Festival on Memorial Day Weekend |
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The Village's summer event season officially kicks off with the Barrington Art Festival over Memorial Day weekend on May 28 and 29. Cook and Station Streets will be lined with award-winning local and regional artists, musicians and more.
The Memorial Day Parade returns this year and steps off at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30. The parade begins on Park Avenue, heads to Dundee Avenue, and concludes for a ceremony in Evergreen Cemetery.
Also this summer, join us for Cruise Night, Summer Fun Thursdays, Fourth of July Festivities, Metra Lot Concerts, Farmers Market and more! Stay tuned for this summer's full event calendar and sign up to receive information at barrington-il.gov/updates. You won't want to miss summer in Barrington!
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District 220 Construction Update: Hough Street School and Barrington High School |
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The Village Board has reviewed and approved the Barrington 220 referendum construction projects for Hough Street School and Barrington High School, and you will begin to see construction on those projects moving forward in the coming months.
Exterior projects at Hough Street School include a new rear addition, which will serve as a sensory room for students with special needs. In addition, there will be ADA upgrades to the main entrance on Lake Street.
Exterior projects at Barrington High School include a two-story addition to the front of the building, which will serve as a flexible learning space and a new student commons area. In addition, the parking lot will be reconfigured to add more parking spaces and ease traffic congestion. There will also be several athletic facility improvements, including relocating the tennis courts to accommodate the parking lot changes, enhancements to the Fields of Dreams Complex and Varsity Baseball Field, and a new multi-purpose practice field.
Both schools will also receive many additional interior renovations, which you can learn more about by visiting barrington220.org/build220.
The Village is excited to welcome these exciting school enhancements to the community!
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Yard Waste & Food Scrap Recycling Resumes Friday, March 18 |
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Bring out your "Green Monster" once again! Beginning today, Friday, March 18, residents may resume placing yard waste in their "Green Monster" recycling containers for curbside recycling.
Please have recyclables, compostable yard waste and refuse at the curb before 6:30 a.m., but no more than 24 hours before pickup. Please do not place any containers in the street. Also, please remember to promptly remove your empty bins from the curb after pickup.
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Motorists: Help Make Our Roads Safe for All Users, Including Cyclists & Pedestrians |
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5 Bicycle Safety Tips for Motorists
- Pay attention to your surroundings. In parking lots, at stop signs, when backing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
- If you pass a bicyclist, do so safely and give the bicyclist room. Illinois State law requires motorists to give cyclists three feet of clearance when passing.
- Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk.
- Look Left, Right, and behind you before pulling out onto a road. Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red.
- Obey the speed limit. Reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist.
If you have any questions, please contact the Barrington Police Department for further information at (847) 304-3300.
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Did You Know? Groot Will Collect Electronic Items at the Curb; Just Call First |
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Did you know that Groot will collect an unlimited number of electronic waste items at the curb for no additional charge?
Residents must call Groot 24 hours in advance to schedule a pick up at 800-244-1977. Some items may also be recycled at an area drop off facility.
Following are items that can be placed at the curb (with an advance call to Groot):
Cable receivers
Computers and monitors
Digital converter boxes
Digital video disc players
Digital video disc recorders
Electronic keyboards
Electronic Mice
Fax machines
Portable digital music players
Printers
Satellite receivers
Scanners
Small scale servers
Televisions
Video cassette recorders
Video game consoles
For more information, please visit the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) at www.swancc.org.
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Last Chance to Recycle Old Holiday Lights |
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The Barrington Public Works Department partners with Elgin Recycling on its Holiday Light Recycling Program. Drop off your used holiday lights at the Public Works Facility, 300 N. Raymond Avenue, until March 31, 2022. Accepted are: mini-lights (or Italian lights), C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords. The Village does not accept garland, live greens, wreaths, or other non-recyclables.
For more information on this program please contact the Public Works Department at (847) 381-7903 or visit elginrecycling.com.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT BARRINGTON'S WHITE HOUSE
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Tickets Now on Sale for Barrington's White House Spring Season Events! |
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Barrington's White House Cultural Director Rollin Potter has assembled an inspiring season of spring events and we can't wait to see all of you at the House!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, March 27
“Sophia Hayden Deserves Better”: A Play Reading by Stephanie Walker
Sunday, April 3
A Conversation with Best-Selling Novelist and Barrington Native Veronica Roth
Wednesday, April 13
Courageous Conversations: Reckoning with the History of Slavery
Thursday, April 14
2nd Thursdays Jazz Cabaret Series
Thursday, April 21
3rd Thursdays Art Night Out with Marci Olezkiewicz: "Painting from the Heart"
Thursday, April 28
The Future of Education: Lessons Learned from a Global Pandemic with District 220 Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt
Each event currently has an in-person viewing opportunity and various events have the option to be viewed virtually. For more information on all events, go to barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.
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Yard Waste & Food Scrap Recycling Has Resumed for the Season
Bring out your "Green Monster" once again! Beginning Friday, March 18, residents may resume placing yard waste in their "Green Monster" recycling containers for curbside recycling.
Please have recyclables, compostable yard waste and refuse at the curb before 6:30 a.m., but no more than 24 hours before pickup. Please do not place any containers in the street. Also, please remember to promptly remove your empty bins from the curb after pickup.
Recycle Corks at Public Works
Save your corks and dispose of them in the receptacle at the Public Works facility, 300 N. Raymond Avenue. This cork is sent to industries that make new products with it. Because cork is such a durable material, it can be recycled into anything from craft supplies to flooring.
Sanitary Sewer Backup?
If you experience a sanitary sewer backup due to an extreme rain event, please contact the Public Works Department as soon as possible: we are available Monday through Friday at (847) 381-7903 or after hours at (847) 270-9111.
Permits and Inspections
The Village of Barrington will continue electronic permit review and issuance procedures until further notice. Village staff will continue to evaluate permit procedures and how to safely and efficiently serve the community moving forward. We strongly encourage you to visit the electronic permit submittals page to review permitting requirements and submittal procedures.
The Village is conducting permit inspections on limited days of the week, and certain limitations are still in place for inspections of occupied buildings. Please contact (847) 304-3400 and select “3” for Development Services to schedule inspections and visit the website to learn more!
Register Your Pets, But Dog Tags No Longer Required
Registering your pets with the Barrington Police Department is a great way to recover your pet if they become lost. You are no longer required to purchase dog tags; instead, please register your pet at www.frontlinepss.com/barrington.
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**Sign Up for Emergency Alerts**
To sign up to receive Reverse-911 Emergency Alerts in the event of an emergency in Barrington, click here.
Call JULIE Before You Dig
Across the country, every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling a one-call center such as JULIE first. For your convenience, you can enter a self- service, locate request anytime (24/7/365) by going to www.illinois1call.com or by simply calling 8-1-1.
Commuters: Quarterly Hang Tag Renewals
New quarterly hang tags may be purchased at any time for a prorated cost using the Passport website.
If you have purchased a hang tag during the quarter and realize you no longer need it, you have the option to return the tag for a prorated refund. The refund will be prorated based on the day the tag is received at Village Hall.
Battery Drop-Off at Public Works
Residents can drop off batteries at Public Works ONLY during business hours of 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily. There are no outside collection boxes - please bring them into the Public Works front office.
Please Read Before Battery Drop-Off:
Primary/Single-Use batteries cannot be recharged and must be disposed of or recycled once they wear out: Alkaline, lithium, silver oxide, zinc-air, zinc-carbon, zinc-chloride and CR/SR/LR (button batteries).
Alkaline Batteries: AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and 12V* (*12V should be taped on terminal ends) Rechargeable and Lithium Batteries: Lithium (Li-ion), Nickel (NiCd, NiMh, Ni-Zn) Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb) and button batteries all need to be taped. The reason for this is because battery terminals that touch metal surfaces or other batteries can spark causing a fire or explosion during shipping.
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March 19: Coffee & Conversation with Reps. Marty McLaughlin and Chris Bos |
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Illinois State Representatives Marty McLaughlin and Chris Bos invite you to join them for Coffee & Conversation on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at one of their two listening stops across the 52nd and
51st districts.
In Barrington, join them at McGonigal's Pub from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m. on March 19.
They are meeting with their constituents
to discuss the critical state issues affecting our communities along with providing an overview of session and take questions.
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Rental Assistance in Both Lake and Cook Counties |
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LAKE COUNTY
Renters who face financial hardship related to COVID-19 may apply for the new Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent and/or utility bills. Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of past due rent and up to three months of assistance with future rent, but no more than 12 months of assistance total. Payments from the program will be made directly to landlords and/or utility companies. To learn more about who is eligible, and for a link to the application, visit lakecountyil.gov/renthelp.
COOK COUNTY
If you live in suburban Cook County and need help paying rent and utilities due to COVID-19, the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program pays up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities payments and up to 3 months of future rent payments. Payments will be made directly to landlords and utility companies.
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Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt |
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As many of you know, the federal and state moratoriums on evictions ended on July 31. That means landlords have likely begun to start filing eviction papers. In Cook County, all aspects of evictions can go forward on September 1 which means judges can order evictions and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office can start enforcing the orders.
However, we also know that renters in financial crisis who are unable to pay their rent today will not be able to pay rent, security deposits, and move-in fees for a new home tomorrow. Housing insecurity and homelessness have been shown to lead to food insecurity, domestic violence, mental illness, exacerbated and unattended preventable health conditions, and substance abuse. Uprooting families, especially now as we inch toward recovery, would be destructive.
CCLAHD can help provide free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources including rental assistance for tenants and landlords. And as the moratoriums lift, we are hoping we can steer landlords to look at alternatives to eviction.
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Monday, March 28
Committee of the Whole, 6 p.m.
Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 31
Special Architectural Review Commission, 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, April 4
Committee of the Whole, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 5
Environmental Advisory Committee, 6 p.m.
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200 S. Hough Street | Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 304-3400 | barrington-il.gov
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