Friday, May 27, 2022
Welcome to the Village of Barrington E-Newsletter!
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TOP STORIES


A Message from Karen Darch: Summer Is Here! It's Time to Enjoy Barrington
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Each year, this weekend marks the beginning of summer in Barrington, with our annual Art Festival kicking off tomorrow and Sunday downtown. A great bluegrass concert at Barrington's White House will also be held on Saturday night, and then the traditional Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday. (A note to parade-goers – due to the Main Street construction, the sidewalks on the SOUTH side of the street are still open and the preferred spot for parade-watching this year).

The upcoming week also marks a special time in Barrington as we welcome back Cynthia Rowley, one of our own hometown natives who has gone on to make her mark in the world. Cynthia, a prominent fashion designer in New York City, returns to Barrington's White House next week after a successful event at here several years ago. On June 1 and 2, Cynthia Rowley "brings the beach to Barrington" with several events at the White House, including a free Pop-Up Shop featuring her most recent fashion collection, a "Sip, See, & Shop" event with Cynthia herself on June 2, and a Hamptons-inspired tented cocktail party that evening. You can find more information and tickets to these extraordinary events here.

June also brings more hometown favorite events, including the Farmers Market (in their new location in the Harris Lot), Cruise Night/Summer Fun Thursdays, and our first Metra Lot concert with the band Hi-Infidelity. I'm very much looking forward to kicking off the summer with our friends and neighbors at these fun events!

On the flip side, summer also means construction season in Barrington. Work on Main Street continues, and by now you have likely also heard that Hart Road will be closed to through-traffic from June 2 through October in order for the Lake County Department of Transportation to reconstruct a bridge across Flint Creek. This work will ultimately facilitate the construction of bike and pedestrian path connectivity all the way from Route 14 to Main Street, an achievement we've been working toward for a number of years. Barrington High School will still be fully accessible during the construction, as will the Field of Dreams and the Hart Road offices. See more information about this project in the article below.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and I hope to see you out and about in town!

Karen Darch
Village President
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Barrington Art Festival
Barrington Art Festival
Saturday, May 28 & Sunday, May 29
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cook & Station Streets

Mark your calendars for the 13th annual Barrington Art Festival on the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend! This beloved art fest fills the streets with 130 artists from near and far showing and selling art in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, wearables and more! Register for a chance to win a gift card to use at the festival!

For more information and list of participants click here.

Don't Miss These Local Artists at the Festival:

Beata's designs are a combination of color texture and asymmetry. She focuses on vintage pieces, unique clasps, semi-precious stones, ocean or freshwater pearls chosen for color character textures.
 
"I love light! I love the way it dances across my images, breathing life into still imagery. I love the ethereal, dreamy quality of my imagery, transporting subject and viewer to another time and place, a fairytale as it were."
 
"My artwork is a combination of photography and digital painting. I enjoy having the freedom to go back from painting to photography."
MONDAY: Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
Monday, May 30
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
 
The Memorial Day Parade returns this year and steps off at 10:30am on Monday, May 30. The parade begins on Cook Street, travels west on Main Street to Dundee Avenue and concludes for a solemn ceremony in Evergreen Cemetery.

NOTE: Due to construction on Main Street that affects sidewalks on the north side of the street, parade-watchers are asked to assemble on the SOUTH side of the street this year.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Cynthia Rowley Brings the Beach to Barrington!
Barrington Native & New York City Fashion Designer Cynthia Rowley is back in Barrington!

On Wednesday, June 1, Cynthia Rowley’s clothing will be available for purchase at Barrington’s White House for a limited 2-day Cynthia Rowley Pop-Up Shop. The shop will be open to the public from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm.

On Thursday, June 2 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. meet Cynthia Rowley in an intimate setting at Barrington’s White House for a Shop, Sip & See. This daytime event will feature springtime cocktails, Cynthia Rowley Collection shopping with Cynthia herself, photo opportunities, and more! The Cynthia Rowley Pop-Up Shop will be open during this event.
 
On Thursday evening from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Cynthia Rowley Brings the Beach to Barrington for a Hamptons-inspired tented party in her honor. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to wear your beachy best, mingle with Cynthia herself, and support Barrington’s White House. This nighttime event includes an open bar with specialty cocktails, Happy Lobster Truck traditional lobster roll (vegetarian options available!), Good Humor Ice Cream Truck, and opportunities to snag a Cynthia Rowley internship*!

We’re so excited to have Cynthia back in her hometown of Barrington.

*The internship is a 3-4 day immersive experience with Cynthia & her team in New York City – perfect for an aspiring designer or someone who has always dreamed of being a New Yorker! Purchase raffle tickets by clicking the button below, clicking Tickets, and scrolling to Add-Ons. For questions, please email khimes@barrington-il.gov.
CONSTRUCTION ALERT - Lake County to Close Hart Road at Flint Creek Beginning Thursday, June 2
The Lake County Department of Transportation (LCDOT) will close Hart Road beginning June 2 in order to replace the pipes that currently carry Flint Creek under Hart Road with a new bridge structure this summer. This will facilitate the construction of multi-use path connectivity between Route 14 and Hart Road.

The bridge will be located on Hart Road just north of the Barrington High School football field. Removal of the existing pipes and construction of the new bridge requires a full closure of Hart Road at the Creek crossing for the duration of construction, however, local access to the signalized entrance/exit drive on Hart Road at Barrington High School and the Hart Road Office Buildings and Barrington High School Field of Dreams will remain open throughout the duration of construction. Please see the detour map above which will be in effect starting on June 2.

This new structure will be built to include an 8-foot multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, which will accommodate the Village's Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) multi-use path extension along Hart Road and Main Street also proposed to be constructed this year. LCDOT is coordinating this work with the Village and School District and will be sharing updates on their project webpage here: lakecountyil.gov/4674/Hart-Rd 

While road closures are never ideal, the Village looks forward to the completion of the bridge and the Village's multi-use path work this year which will greatly improve pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity and safety within the community!
Main Street Resurfacing Work Continues
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be resurfacing Main Street throughout the Village from just west of Hart Road to just east of Ela Road starting this week. This work includes reconstruction of sidewalk at intersections, some curb improvements, and removal and replacement of the asphalt pavement.

Work is anticipated to commence with concrete removals and replacements, resulting in some temporary sidewalk closures. IDOT plans to stage this work so sidewalk will be improved on the north and south sides of Main Street separately to allow for pedestrian detours on the opposite side of the street throughout construction. Pedestrian detour signage will be in place during this work.

While there may be intermittent roadway lane closures which will be facilitated with flaggers during paving operations, 2-way traffic will be maintained throughout the work zone during the project.

The Village will continue to provide updates from IDOT as this work progresses at barrington-il.gov and on Facebook.
Water Meter Replacement Project Update
As has been communicated previously, this year, the Village will be installing new water meters in all residential, industrial, and commercial buildings later this year, as the majority of the Village’s existing water meters are at or beyond the manufacturer’s recommended life cycle of 20 years. The Village has partnered with Core and Main to complete this project. These new meters will provide improved monitoring of water usage, provide better customer service, and reduce operational costs.

To complete these projects, the Village will need to gain access to your property as meters are located inside properties. You will be receiving a series of letters with details and information in regards to scheduling your meter installation. No action is required at this time. Questions can be directed to Public Works at vobpw@barrington-il.gov or by phone at 847-304-3368. For additional information on these upcoming projects, please visit us at barrington-il.gov.

The Village would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.
Quick Take: Recent Village Board Actions
The Village of Barrington Board of Trustees has discussed and/or approved a number of noteworthy items during the past month:

  • Several policies were updated relative to the resolution of certain neighborhood drainage problems and relative to gifts and/or donations made to the Village.

  • GovHR was engaged to provide executive recruitment services for a new Public Works Director.

  • The Board approved an amendment to the Historic District Design guidelines in order to clarify the material requirements for the use of non-wood siding and trim materials. 

If you are interested in learning more about what the Village Trustees are working on, you can attend Village Board meetings (generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month), or view them here in their entirety: barrington-il.gov/meetings.
We're Hiring at the Village of Barrington
The Village of Barrington is currently hiring for the following positions. To learn more go to barrington-il.gov.

  • Public Works Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker
  • Public Works Water Maintenance Worker
  • Planning & Zoning Coordinator
  • Part-Time Technology Services Technician
  • Crew Lead (Buildings and Grounds)

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BARRINGTON'S WHITE HOUSE


Announcing BWH Summer Events!
Start your summer at Barrington's White House this weekend with the Bright Side of Bluegrass, and then come meet renowned fashion designer and Barrington native Cynthia Rowley on June 1 and 2.

For more information and tickets for all events, go to barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.



The Bright Side of Bluegrass & Ice Cream Social
Saturday, May 28
Enjoy ice cream courtesy of BACOA, then a toe tapping live bluegrass set with the Sunnyside Up Bluegrass Band in our ballroom following the Barrington Art Festival. Featuring some of Chicago’s finest acoustic string band players, the Sunnyside Up band has a long history of combining different styles to create new ideas, from straight-ahead bluegrass to instrumentals, two steps and the occasional pop cover.


Cynthia Rowley Brings The Beach To Barrington
Wed., June 1, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thurs., June 2, 12:00 - 2:00 pm & 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Cynthia Rowley is bringing the beach to Barrington! The Barrington-native & fashion designer will visit Barrington's White House once again with events including a Pop-Up Shop with the most recent Cynthia Rowley collection on June 1st & 2nd, a "Sip, See, & Shop" with Cynthia herself on the 2nd, and a Hamptons-inspired tented cocktail party in the BWH Parking Lot.

June 1 Pop-Up Shop
June 2 Sip, Shop, & See with Cynthia
June 2 Bringing the Beach to Barrington Cocktail Party


MGM and More — Movie Music of the 50’s & 60’s 
Fri., June 17, 7:30 pm
Join Barrington’s White House for a Mid-Century Modern musical extravaganza! Stunning musicians William Powers (bass baritone soloist), Michelle Areyzaga (soprano soloist), and Lyric Opera’s William Billingham (piano) join forces to bring you an evening of some of your favorite songs from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios and others. Enjoy renditions of cinematic classics from Oklahoma!, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady and many more!


Chris Walz & the Old Town Bluegrass Boys
Mon., July 4, 11:30 am
Back by popular demand! Acclaimed bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Chris Walz and his Bluegrass Boys join us once again after the Village of Barrington Fourth of July Parade. Walz (banjo) is joined by artists Colby Maddox (mandolin/fiddle), Aaron Dorfman (guitar) and Marc Edelstein (bass). Stop by Barrington’s White House on July 4th to listen to America’s musical story by Chris and his players. 


An Artist’s Journey: Honoring Mort Luby
Artist Exhibition And Sale
Sun., July 17, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
A nationally acclaimed artist brings his life’s work to Barrington’s White House aiming to inspire and educate. Mort Luby paints watercolors and oils in his Dundee studio and in his part-time home on Maui. “Chicago Brushstrokes,” a book with 100 of his paintings of the Windy City, has been sold at the Art Institute, the Architecture Foundation, the Chicago Historical Society, the bookstore at Willis Tower, and many other locations.


Steve Puttrich Watercolor Class
Thurs., July 21, 6:00 pm
Steve Puttrich is a unique combination of award-winning artist in oil and watercolor and an inspiring and successful instructor. During this 90-minute hands-on class, you'll learn at your own pace in building skills and mastery. By the end of the session you will have built confidence in your ability as an artist and have a sense of direction for growing your understanding and skills for painting. If you’ve always wanted to paint in watercolor or oil, now is the time!


Stephanie Block & Clare Longendyke; Viola, Piano
Fri., July 29, 7:30 pm
$25, Cash Bar
Barrington-native Stephanie Block (viola) returns by popular demand to Barrington’s White House with fellow musician Clare Longendyke (piano). A recent alumna of the New World Symphony, Stephanie Block has performed with the London and Milwaukee symphonies as well as the Sarasota Orchestra. Recognized as a firebrand in the classical music field, pianist Clare Longendyke is an effervescent soloist and chamber musician.

For more information and tickets for all events, go to barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.


IMPORTANT VILLAGE INFO


Free Wood Chips Available through October

Why pay for mulch when you can get free wood chips from the Village? Wood chips are self-serve, so please bring your shovels and containers. Stop by the Public Works Facility located at 300 N. Raymond Avenue. The pile of chips is located in front of the large salt barn along the railroad tracks. 
 
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.
**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.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION


Rental Assistance in Both Lake and Cook Counties
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.

Visit www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery to check eligibility, learn about the documents needed for the application, and apply.
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
The Office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is reaching out in the hope that you can help spread the word about a critical resource available in Cook County - Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (or CCLAHD).
 
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.

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE

Monday, June 6
Committee of the Whole, 6 p.m.
Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 8
Cultural Commission, 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 9
Architectural Review, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, June 13
Committee of the Whole, 6 p.m.
Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 14
Plan Commission/ZBA, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 22
BWH Advisory, 3:00 p.m.
Go to barrington-il.gov for more information on public meetings.


200 S. Hough Street | Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 304-3400 | barrington-il.gov


We are always interested in your comments; please e-mail us at constantcontact@barrington-il.gov.