Mayor’s Message March 20, 2026
- Posted by Makayla Terfehn
- On March 24, 2026
Dear Residents,
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of former Mayor and longtime resident Frank J. Munao, Jr. on March 15th. Frank was an integral part of our Village and a pillar of the community, dedicating his time and energy in countless ways that touched the lives of so many. His leadership, service, and unwavering commitment will not be forgotten. While he will be deeply missed, his legacy will continue to live on throughout the community he helped shape. We extend our heartfelt prayers and blessings to his family during this difficult time.
Knowing how many in our community knew and admired Frank, those wishing to offer their support and condolences may attend services being held this weekend at Davenport Funeral Home in Barrington, Illinois. Please follow the link below for additional details.
2026 SPRING BREAK
Spring break is officially here for all our District 220 families! i hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable break.
If you’re heading out of town, don’t forget that our Police Department offers a Vacation House Watch Program to help keep your home safe while you’re away. Please follow the link below to submit your information and take advantage of this service.
https://www.frontlinepss.com/southbarrington
O’HARE NOISE COMPATIBILITY COMMISSION
As many of you know, I am the primary Village Representative on the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and at our meeting last Friday I was surprised to discover no one in South Barrington has reported any recent noise concerns related to air traffic.
This is puzzling to me given the number of residents who have asked me what can be done to mitigate the noise. The fact no one has entered a noise complaint sends the message to the board that noise is not a problem for our residents, a message I don’t think our community wants to send.
If you are concerned about airport noise, I encourage you to make a report. I am including a link on how to file a complaint. While it is certainly true some of our neighboring communities have been impacted even more than us, this does not mean noise is a nonfactor in South Barrington.
To file a complaint, go to https://311.chicago.gov/s/article/Aircraft-noise-complaints?language=en_US.
Additionally, during the past few months, unusual shifts in weather patterns and airflow have influenced how aircraft take off and land, resulting in an increase in noise in different areas. Fortunately, as conditions stabilize and there is a more evenly distributed airflow, there should be a reduction in overhead aircraft noise for South Barrington.
Finally, the meeting did cover an interesting topic on noise mitigation. A representative of the Morton Arboretum discussed “Trees as a Noise Pollution Solution.” The Plant Clinic is part of the Morton Arboretum working on initiatives involving strategic tree planting to help mitigate ground surface noise for those who live by a busy street or noisy activity. Certain types and placements of trees can serve as natural sound barriers, helping to reduce the impact of aircraft noise. It was a very informative discussion and worth following The Plant Clinic, as they provide valuable guidance on these types of environmentally friendly solutions.
Perhaps one reason we may not have as much noise issues as other communities is our ongoing efforts to plant trees in our community. Not only is our commitment to preserving nature good for air quality and the ascetics of our community, it also is helping mitigate airport noise, something I think we can all agree is good for South Barrington.
SOUTH BARRINGTON WELCOMES 3 NEWLY ANNEXED PROPERTIES
At last Thursday’s Board Meeting, the Village officially approved the annexation of three properties into South Barrington. These properties in will now be part of the South Barrington community, and will have access to unincorporated Cook County, located east of Nathan’s Glen on Route 62, our Village services moving forward.
Annexing unincorporated areas of Cook County in our community means these properties are subject to our codes, our zoning ordinances and policies and ensures the developments of these properties align with the values and vision our community has for future growth. We look forward to building strong connections with our new residents in helping them become part of the fabric of our Village.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome!
BARRINGTON STUDENTS ADVANCE TO FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations are in order for Stealth Robotics, a student team based in South Barrington, which has earned the top Inspire Award at the Illinois FIRST Tech Challenge. The team now qualifies for the international FIRST Championship in Houston this April. The award recognizes excellence in robot design, innovation, teamwork, and community impact.
Beyond competition, the team has made a strong local and global impact, launching new robotics teams, hosting outreach events that reached thousands, mentoring younger students, and even supporting robotics efforts in India.
As they prepare to represent the community on the world stage, Stealth Robotics is seeking support to help with travel and competition expenses. Businesses or individuals interested in supporting the team’s journey can learn more at stealth-robotics.org. Let’s support our young innovators who are representing our community on the national stage!
Congratulations to Stealth Robotics on this remarkable achievement, and best of luck to the team as they represent our community at the FIRST World Championship in Houston.
2026 MARCH MADNESS KICKS OFF
March Madness kicks off this weekend! Anyone looking for the perfect spot to catch the games and all of the exciting upsets, South Barrington has you covered as several local eateries are running March Madness specials during the Tournament:
- Tangled Roots– great catering options from flatbreads, wings, sandwiches, and bites
- 810 Entertainment– $8/cheese curds, potato skins & loaded French fries, $10/ cheese or pepperoni piece, 6-piece wings, $20/ margarita pitchers or beer buckets
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT GUIDANCE
Construction season is underway. To help ensure a smooth and efficient start to your project and avoid any unnecessary delays, we encourage residents to familiarize themselves with the Village’s permit requirements and associated fees.
Whether you’re planning a new build, a renovation of an existing home, or even a smaller home improvement project, checking to see if you need a permit is an important first step. We also ask that homeowners share this information with any contractors or individuals working on their behalf to ensure everyone involved with your project is aligned with Village regulations.
Please visit our website for further Building & Engineering Details for all of the information you need for your home improvement project. Click HERE
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