There’s a lot happening across the 26th District, and I’m always glad to see our communities come together. This week includes an important opportunity to remember September 11, along with several events designed to help residents access services and get answers to everyday questions.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. If you ever have any questions, you can always respond to this email!
Topics below include:
- Algonquin 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
- Connecting Residents with Utility Resources in Palatine
- Making Sense of Medicare in Mundelein
- Mobile DMV Event with Palatine Township
- You Asked, We Acted: Safety Improvements Coming to Case Road & Route 12
- Supporting The Hope Collective After the Fire
- Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
- Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
- Traveling Office Hours
Algonquin 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
I joined the community in Village of Algonquin, Illinois at Riverfront Park for a September 11 Remembrance Ceremony.
We gathered to honor the lives lost and the brave men and women who gave their lives trying to save others.
Twenty-five years later, we still remember where we were when we heard the news. We remember the lives that were taken, the heroes who stepped forward, and the way Americans came together.
May we never forget.
Connecting Residents with Utility Resources in Palatine
We were proud to bring representatives from the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), along with Palatine Township Senior Center’s LIHEAP and senior services, to help Palatine community members navigate their utility bills and connect with available resources.
At the event, community members were able to bring their utility bills and questions to their appointments, where a CUB representative walked them through their bills, offered suggestions for reducing utility costs, and provided information about money-saving clean energy programs.
Palatine Township Senior Center also offers a wide range of programs and resources to support community members. You can learn more about their services here.
If you have questions or need guidance on available resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We are always happy to help connect you with the right people and resources.
Making Sense of Medicare in Mundelein
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Medicare 101 seminar in Mundelein!
It was a great opportunity to help local seniors and Medicare beneficiaries better understand their options, coverage and available resources. A special thank you to the Illinois Department on Aging for helping make this informative evening possible!
Missed the seminar? You can find their helpful presentation here: https://www.senatordarbyhills.com/…/09/basics-of-medicare/
You Asked, We Acted: Safety Improvements Coming to Case Road & Route 12
Several residents in the Wauconda area reached out with concerns about safety at the intersection of Case Road and Route 12. I asked the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to review the intersection, including its recent crash history, traffic volumes, and existing conditions.
The good news, IDOT’s review found that the intersection now meets the warrants for a traffic signal! IDOT says the signal has been identified as a future improvement, and the Department will work to advance the project as funding becomes available. The signal is not currently included in IDOT’s 2026–2031 Proposed Multimodal and Highway Improvement Program, but the location will be considered for future programs.
In the meantime, safety improvements are already underway along Route 12 as part of an existing IDOT construction project. Those improvements include:
- Widening paved shoulders
- Installing shoulder rumble strips
- Extending the northbound left-turn lane at Case Road
- Installing additional guardrail near the driveway south of Case Road
Construction began in March and is expected to be completed by October 2026.
I will continue to follow this issue and work with IDOT as the traffic signal and additional safety improvements move forward.
Supporting The Hope Collective After the Fire
My heart goes out to everyone at The Hope Collective after a fire completely destroyed their food pantry.
They do so much for families in our community, and now it’s our turn to come together and help. Our office is serving as a drop-off location for donations as they assess their needs and work to continue serving our neighbors.
The response has already been incredible, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has stepped up.
DROP OFF:
Senator Darby Hills’ District Office
795 Ela Rd. Ste 208, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Please help us get the word out!
Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
As a mom of three, I remember that stage of life when you’re constantly checking and rechecking everything to make sure your kids are safe, especially when it comes to their car seats.
That’s why I’m inviting you to join me and the Algonquin Police Department for a FREE Car Seat Safety Inspection on Saturday, September 26.
Certified car seat technicians will be there to make sure your child’s car seat or booster seat is installed correctly and fits your child properly. They can also answer questions about harness fit, recalls, expiration dates and other car seat safety tips.
When: Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Where: Algonquin Police Department, 2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin
Note: Please use the lower-level entrance off Stonegate Road.
If you have a little one in a car seat or booster seat, I hope you’ll stop by. A few minutes of checking can give you peace of mind knowing your child is riding as safely as possible.
I hope to see you there!
Mobile DMV Event with Palatine Township
Need to renew your driver’s license or state ID? We’re bringing DMV services right here to the community!
I’m proud to partner with Palatine Township to host a Mobile DMV Event on Wednesday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 721 S. Quentin Rd., Suite 101, Palatine.
You’ll be able to take care of driver’s license and state ID services, register as an organ and tissue donor, purchase vehicle stickers, and more, all without having to make a trip to a traditional DMV facility.
Appointments are required and spots are limited, so be sure to register today:
Register for your appointment
I hope this makes it easier for our neighbors to take care of these important services right here in our community. I look forward to seeing you there!
Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Near You
There’s something happening all year long across the 26th District! I am hosting these events to connect residents with valuable resources, services, educational seminars, family activities, and opportunities to get involved.
September Events
💼 Job Fair
Monday, September 21 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mundelein Park & Recreation District
1401 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein
🛡️ Hawthorn Woods Senior Fraud Prevention Seminar
Wednesday, September 23 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
The Barn at Village Hall
2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
🚗 Free Car Seat Safety Inspection
Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Algonquin Police Department
2200 Harnish Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102
🚙 Palatine Township Mobile DMV Event
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM
721 S. Quentin Rd., Suite 101, Palatine, IL 60067
👵 Wauconda Senior Health Fair
Wednesday, September 30 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wauconda Township
505 West Bonner Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
October Events
📄 Free Shred Day & Community Food Drive
Saturday, October 3 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Algonquin Township Office
3702 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake
Tuesday, October 6 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fremont Township
22385 W. Route 60, Mundelein, IL 60060
Wednesday, October 7 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
200 South Hough Street, Barrington, IL 60010
Thursday, October 15 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Barn at Village Hall
2 Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods
Wednesday, October 21 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067
Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
November Events
🇺🇸 Free Veteran Appreciation Luncheon and Expo
Sunday, November 15 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
365 Surryse Rd., Ste. 280, Lake Zurich
Stay tuned for more events to be added! Visit www.senatordarbyhills.com/events to follow along and learn more details.
Traveling Office Hours
We’re bringing our office to you! Need help with a state agency, have questions about legislation or state government, or want to share your thoughts on issues affecting our community? Stop by one of Senator Darby Hills’ Traveling Office Hours to meet with members of our team.
Our Staff Can Help With:
- Assistance with state agencies and services
- Questions about legislation and state government
- Information about Senator Hills’ legislative priorities
- Concerns or ideas affecting our communities
- Connecting residents with available state resources
We’re committed to making our office accessible and being available to the people we represent. Stop by one of these locations, say hello, and let us know how we can help.
As always, my office is here to help if you have any questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Yours truly,
Senator Darby Hills