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BADC will initiate and support programs that improve community life.

~ Incorporated April 4, 1966

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We returned to an in-person gathering for our BADC Annual Dinner and Citizen of the Year Awards event held last Spring, celebrating the leadership and volunteerism of our recent award winners – Brian Battle (2020), Barbara Benson (2021), and Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque (2022) — and announcing our 2023 Citizen of the Year: Penny Kazmier, former School District 220 board president.

The event, titled Better Together, showcased the many ways BADC has partnered across our communities to bring forward significant programs.

Watch for an announcement at the start of the new year, with a call for nominations for our 2024 Citizen of the Year Award!

Join Us for the
BADC Annual Dinner and 50th Citizen of the Year Award

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Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Welcome to the Barrington Area Development Council online!

Founded nearly six decades ago, BADC has a long history of sponsoring initiatives and helping organizations that have benefited our community. We work with schools, government, and nonprofits to preserve the character of our unique community by promoting programs to protect the environment and support education, healthcare and quality of life.

Since our formation in 1966, we have had a unique role in catalyzing and supporting numerous organizations including Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG), Citizens For Conservation (CFC), Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA), Barrington Community Unit School District 220, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, and more recently raising the impact of nonprofits like Hope’s In, NeuroBalance Center, and Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watershed Partnership. With the grant support of the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF), our Barrington Leadership Network (BLN) continues to gather momentum. Everyone wins when community and nonprofit leaders get better!

Every year since 1975 we celebrate citizen volunteers with our “Citizen of the Year” Award, presented to a person or persons who made a meaningful contribution of time and effort that has benefited the entire greater Barrington Area Community. This includes, but is not limited to, fields such as health, finance, land use, youth, education, conservation and transportation. Our Nominating Committee, includes past recipients, whose volunteer service has been recognized as extraordinary.

Truly Barrington is a special place for social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and volunteerism.

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BADC Announces 2020 Citizen of the Year Winner: Brian Battle

Each year, BADC selects a local resident who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to the greater Barrington area. Former District 220 School Board President Brian Battle was named the 2020 BADC Citizen of the Year.

BADC Announces 2020 Citizen of the Year Winner: Brian Battle

Each year, BADC selects a local resident who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to the greater Barrington area. Former District 220 School Board President Brian Battle was named the 2020 BADC Citizen of the Year.

Barbara L. Benson, Local Historian, Named BADC’s 2021 Citizen of the Year

Barrington Area Historian Barbara L. Benson is one of the foremost authorities on our area’s founders and early history. In 2003, BADC published her book, They Builded Better Than They Knew: Historical Perspectives of the Barrington Area.

Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque Earns BADC’s 2022 Citizen of the Year

During her tenure as Lead Pastor of the Community Church of Barrington, the Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque’s uplifting and inspiring influence spread across our community, through her involvement in education, counseling, and support programs, as well as in many civic and philanthropic endeavors.

2024 BADC Citizen Of The Year Award
Call For Nominations

BADC Joins in Celebrating the 50th Anniversaries of its two flagship efforts:
BACOG and CFC

To understand the history of BACOG, we must first recall the circumstances in which the Barrington Area Development Council (BADC) itself was created in 1966.

Fifty years ago BADC determined the need for a conservation organization to address local environmental concerns, and Citizens for Conservation was started.

BADC Partners with Barrington Area Library to Introduce Barrington Area Volunteer Connection (BAVC)

BAVC’s goal is to bring all 100+ Barrington area nonprofits, churches and service organizations in one searchable database so that volunteers can easily find opportunities.

BADC Teams with BACF to coordinate Host Site for Global Leadership Summit 2023

Through the generosity and vision of the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF) board, BADC is proud to partner again for the eighth year in coordinating participation in the world-renowned Global Leadership Summit.

During August 2023, BADC hosted a gathering of more than 75 not-for-profit leaders from throughout our community, in an exclusive viewing event at the Barrington’s White House. The annual seminar is followed by Quarterly Refresher sessions throughout each year.

Flint Creek Dreamway Trail named in Memory of Joseph Kelsch Sr. at dedication program in June 2021

Participants gathered in June 2021 to celebrate the restoration of the well-known Barrington bike and pedestrian trail that runs beside Flint Creek from Langendorf Park to Barrington High.

Kelsch, who was active in many community service organizations – including BADC – was instrumental in lobbying for and spearheading efforts to bring together the Village of Barrington, the Barrington Park District, and the Barrington 220 school district in this collaborative initiative to reclaim and renew this waterway.

Celebrating the Beauty of the Greater Barrington Area...

Introducing the Barrington Area Digital Photo Gallery

BADC recently spearheaded the creation of a new Barrington Area Digital Photo Gallery, with its mission to promote awareness and appreciation of the natural beauty of the Barrington area.

View this spectacular online resource at: www.BADPG.org

Celebrating the Beauty of the Greater Barrington Area...

Introducing the Barrington Area Digital Photo Gallery

This Summer, BADC spearheaded the creation of a new Barrington Area Digital Photo Gallery, with its mission to promote awareness and appreciation of the natural beauty of the Barrington area.

View this spectacular online resource at: www.badpg.com

Photos courtesy of BADC Member Bob Lee

The Barrington Area Development Council (BADC) is a not-for-profit civic organization with a long history of sponsoring initiatives and organizations that have benefited the Barrington Area community, including CPR Training, the Bikeways Commission, the District 220 Caucus, Barrington BloodLine, the Holiday Wish List, the Leadership Academy, and the Citizen of the Year Award. In addition, BADC was the founding organization of the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) in the 1970s, and a catalyst participating in the formation of renowned groups such as the Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA) and Citizens for Conservation (CFC). More recently, we have helped raise the impact of nonprofits like Hope’s In, NeuroBalance Center, and the Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership. With the grant support of the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF), our Barrington Leadership Network (BLN) continues to gather momentum. Everyone wins when community and nonprofit leaders get better!

In addition, BADC is an organizing co-sponsor of the Barrington Area Volunteer Connection (www.TheBAVC.org), and spearheaded the creation of the new Barrington Area Digital Photo Gallery (www.BADPG.org).

BADC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact Us:
Barrington Area Development Council (BADC)
P.O. Box 72, Barrington, IL 60011
[email protected]