Emergency Notification System

Mayor’s Message May 23, 2025

  • Posted by Chrissie Mena
  • On May 23, 2025

Dear Residents,

It’s official. John Kazmier is our newest Commissioner for the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. I had the privilege of administering the oath of office to him. Thank you, John, for your willingness to serve our community.

Mayor McCombie swearing in J.Kazmier, as Commissioner of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board.

L-R Mayor McCombie swearing in J.Kazmier, as Commissioner of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board.


ComEd Supply Rate Rises Significantly

If you have been reading recent communications from Com Ed, you probably are aware of the impending rate hike.

But if you have ignored those notices, I wanted to take a moment to make sure you are aware of the rate hikes. Effective June 1st, ComEd’s base supply rate will increase to 10.028¢ per kWh, a 51% jump from the previous residential rate of 6.647¢ per kWh for the Energy Year ending May 2025. After accounting for monthly Purchased Electricity Adjustment credits, the effective rate had averaged even lower: 6.36¢ per kWh.

What’s Driving the Increase? 

A recent capacity price auction for the PJM power grid which covers 13 states including ComEd territory, resulted in an 800% increase in capacity charges. These charges, a component of supply costs, ensure sufficient power is available to meet demand. 

Other factors include:

  • Surging Demand: Increased electricity use by data centers and AI applications.
  • Insufficient Generation: Scheduled closures of fossil fuel plants, mandated by regulatory bodies, have not been fully offset by new renewable energy development, which faces delays.

Residents enrolled in a ComEd Price Match Electric Aggregation program will be charged these same higher rates. 

The Village has no authority to change this rate which is across Com Ed’s entire service area.

Private Well Owners

Attention private well owners!

If you are a new well ownership or if you just would like to know more about private well, the free webinar “What Private Well Owners and Well Professionals Need to know about PFAS,” is scheduled for next week. There’s still time to get registered and submit your questions in advance.

In this free training, you’ll learn private well topics that homeowners and well professionals might encounter, such as:

  • PFAS occurrences in private wells
  • How PFAS gets into well water, common findings, why and when they should test
  • Situations where it is more likely to have a PFAS issue in their well water (i.e., more vulnerable aquifers, etc.)

The event is May 29th , from 1-3 p.m. and you can register by clicking here.

Village Hours for Memorial Day

Please remember the administrative offices at Village Hall will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. 

We set aside this day each year to honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country. We would not have the freedom we enjoy on a daily basis in our great nation without their courage and strength. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, May 27th at 8:00 a.m. 

Our police officers will be working through the holiday weekend as usual. In case of an emergency, do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1. And have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Delayed: Groot Collection 

The Memorial Day Holiday will also impact garbage and recycling collection will be delayed one day due to the holiday. 

Your garbage and recycling will be collected on Tuesday, May 27th. Per Village Ordinance, please do not place collection carts at the curb before 3:00 p.m. the day before collection. Carts must be removed no later than 9:00 a.m. the following day. 

If you are planning on doing yard work this long weekend and need yard waste stickers, they are available for purchase at the following Jewel locations: 150 Main Street, Barrington, and 1485 Palatine Road, Hoffman Estates. If you missed our free brush pickup day, you will have to buy a sticker in order for Groot to pick it up.

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.

Enjoy this Memorial Day weekend!

Paula McCombie
Mayor