Mayor’s Message January 16, 2026

Dear Residents,

This week we received great news. The South Barrington Conservancy has officially secured a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois.

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since its establishment, OSLAD has awarded $640 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the awards announced today).

The application and submittal process for this grant was extensive and required a tremendous amount of data, planning, and community collaboration. We are grateful to all who played a role in making this achievement possible, especially State Senator Darby Hills, U.S. Congressman Krishnamoorthi, Cook County Commissioner Morrison, Cook County President Preckwinkle, State Representative McLaughlin, the Flint and Spring Creek Watershed Partnership, the Barrington Area Council of Government and our residents who continuously showed up at meetings and provided feedback. The support and advocacy were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

This grant represents an exciting step forward in enhancing the beauty of our Village, protecting our natural resources, and creating a lasting space for recreation, education, and enjoyment. We look forward to sharing updates as the Conservancy continues to take shape and becomes a point of pride for the entire South Barrington community.

Related News Articles:
Senator Darby Hills Announces $1.2M in OSLAD Grants for Schaumburg and South Barrington Parks
Pritzker Administration awards $36 million in grants for local park projects

CONGRATULATIONS SERGEANT KEVIN DOYLE

We are fortunate to have a police force made up of individuals who want to learn and develop strong leadership skills.

The latest example of our Department’s commitment to excellence is Sgt. Kevin Doyle who has completed the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s 10-Week School of Police Staff and Command.

This nationally recognized leadership and management program is designed to prepare experienced law enforcement professionals and public safety supervisors for senior command roles and is widely regarded as one of the most respected advanced training programs of its kind in the United States.

Completing this program marks a significant milestone in Sgt. Doyle’s career and reflects his strong commitment to professional development, excellence, and leadership. The advanced knowledge, strategic insight, and leadership skills gained through this training will undoubtedly enhance his ability to better serve our community.

We commend Sgt. Doyle for his dedication, perseverance, and continued service to the department and our community. Congratulations Sgt. Doyle!

CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK 2026

The 19th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week kicks off Friday, January 23rd and runs through Sunday, February 8^th.

The event will feature more than 540 participating restaurants across the city and suburbs, including some of our very own local favorites such as The Greggory, Giostra by Fabio Viviani, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

South Barrington will be well represented as diners enjoy specially curated prix-fixe menus for brunch and/or dinner, showcasing the creativity and flavor of Chicago’s award-winning culinary scene. It’s the perfect opportunity to try a new spot or revisit an old favorite at a great value.

Bon appétit!

Looking for more information about Chicago Restaurant Week? Click here to learn more and view participating restaurants and make reservations today!

810 Entertainment Officially Opens January 22 in the Arboretum!

810 Entertainment is officially opening its doors to the public beginning next week on January 22nd, and South Barrington couldn’t be more excited to welcome this exciting new destination to the community!

810 Entertainment is an entertainment, dining, and bar experience designed for friends and families alike. Known for its wide variety of activities, the venue features bowling lanes, bocce ball, billiards, KRAZY DARTS, sports simulators, and much more. The space is incredibly versatile, perfect for a fun date night, family outing, birthday party, or company event, offering a little something for everyone.

The Village of South Barrington is thrilled to have 810 Entertainment as part of our neighborhood and wishes them great success as they begin this new chapter right here in our backyard.

Be sure to stop by on January 22 and be among the first to experience everything 810 Entertainment has to offer!

Homeowner Association Meetings at Rose Hall

Looking for a place to hold homeowner association meetings? Rose Hall might be the solution you need. There are several South Barrington homeowner associations already holding their in-person meetings at Rose Hall. This option is available to all homeowner associations.

While the Village does make Rose Hall available for HOA meetings, there may be occasions when a Village meeting is scheduled after an HOA meeting has already been reserved. In such instances, the HOA meeting may need to be rescheduled, as Village meetings must take priority. While we make every effort to avoid this situation, we appreciate your understanding should it occur.

Additionally, if you would like the Police Chief or I to attend your meeting to discuss Village-related matters, please let me know and we would be happy to arrange it. We always welcome the opportunity to attend and engage with our community.

If you are interested in reserving Rose Hall, please contact the Village at 847-381-7510 or email Makayla at mterfehn@southbarrington.org.

As always, I am here to listen to your thoughts and concerns. Feel free to email me at pmccombie@southbarrington.org, or use the anonymous comment boxes located in the lobbies of Village Hall and the Police Department. I review these messages privately and value your input.

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Paula McCombie
Mayor