Monthly Archives: May 2015

Schakowsky Supports Clarification of Clean Water Act

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced a final rule clarifying “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. The rule includes protections for sources of drinking and recreational water, including streams and wetlands that are upstream from larger bodies of water. Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement in response to the rule

Shimkus Statement on Finalized WOTUS Rule

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule

Durbin Introduces Bill To Support Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation today that would give veteran-owned small businesses access to surplus federal property, reducing overhead costs and helping these small businesses grow. The Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act would expand the Government Service Administration’s excess federal property program, which makes available items that federal agencies no longer need – from computers and office furniture to tools and construction equipment. Durbin also introduced this bill in the previous Congress

Illinois housing market swings into spring with higher home sales, prices in April

The strong start to Illinois’ spring housing market continued in April with gains in year-over-year home sales and median home prices, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS

Don’t Let Memorial Weekend Fun Spark Disaster

A stronger economy and lower gas prices will put more Americans on the road over Memorial Day weekend. AAA Travel forecasts 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles away from home over Memorial Day Weekend. As Americans prepare for outdoor fun in parks, backyards and the nearest body of water, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), urges homeowners, renters and businesses to prevent outdoor fun from sparking disaste

The Boulder Group Arranges Sale of Net Leased Starbucks Property Located in Chicago

The Boulder Group, a net leased investment brokerage firm, has completed the sale of a single tenant Starbucks property located at 7101 South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, IL for $1,460,000.

Illinois Conservation Police Remind Boaters to Wear a Life Jacket and Stay Safe on...

Illinois Conservation Police officers – in observance of National Safe Boating Week – are reminding boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets and stay sober while on the water this boating season

Illinois EPA Announces Community Water Supply Testing Program

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnett announced the Agency is offering drinking water testing services for Community Water Supplies for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). Through the Illinois EPA Community Water Supply Testing Program, water systems can elect to participate in the program for one complete fiscal year.

IDOT Listening Tour Wraps Up with Nine Stops

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that nine stops are scheduled during the final week of its listening tour to talk about the state’s infrastructure needs and priorities. Meetings will be held in Romeoville, Jacksonville and DeKalb on Monday, followed by Moline, Galesburg and Waukegan on Tuesday. The listening tour will visit Joliet and Bourbonnais on Thursday before concluding in Galena on Friday

Quigley Mandates Progress Report on O’Hare Noise in Funding Bill

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) secured language in the FY16 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill, which passed the House Appropriations Committee this week, mandating the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) develop short and long-term measures to mitigate excessive airplane noise experienced by local communities around O’Hare International Airport. The bill will now head to the full House of Representatives for a vote

New Multi-Year Highway Construction Plan Released

he Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today released a six-year, $8.4 billion highway construction plan that fixes and improves roads and bridges throughout the state, but anticipates a rapid deterioration in the overall condition of Illinois infrastructure due to a lack of sustainable investment

The Boulder Group Arranges Sale of Single Tenant Net Leased Walgreens in the Chicago...

The Boulder Group, a net leased investment brokerage firm, has completed the sale of a single tenant net leased Walgreens property located at 732 West Old Ridge Road in Hobart, Indiana for $6,093,000.

Chicago Real Estate Executive to Speak at MIPIM Japan, the International Real Estate Conference

Noah D. Shlaes., CRE®, Senior Managing Director, Global Corporate Services, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Chicago, will speak May 21 at MIPIM Japan 2015, Asia’s largest international real estate conference, which is being held in Tokyo. He is representing The Counselors of Real Estate® professional association, where he is the organization’s 2015 Chair of the Board

Lee & Associates of Illinois Announces Growth of the Retail Services Group with Four...

It is an exciting time for the Chicago office of Lee & Associates as we have been able to strengthen our retail bench with the addition of four exceptional retail brokers since the beginning of 2015. These brokers bring a combined 128 years of experience. We are pleased to introduce Mike Woldman, Edward Winslow, CCIM, Joe Grody and Jeffrey Howard.

Downtown Chicago Rent Prices Are Rising

Peoples Home Equity, a lender with much activity centered in the Midwest was intrigued by a May 11th article by ChicagoBusiness.com titled “How high can downtown apartment rents go?”

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Investigation by CHA and HUD Inspectors General ends with guilty plea...

The Chicago Housing Authority will receive restitution for money stolen by a former contractor and her husband after the pair pleaded guilty to stealing funds intended for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, a crime that was exposed following an investigation by the CHA’s Office of the Inspector General.

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Make Your Garage Door Quieter

How to Make Your Garage Door Quieter

Did you know that the structural noise from a garage can be anywhere from 5 decibels to 20 decibels above the background noise levels? And if you are wondering how much change would a 20-decibel increase make, then consider this – with a rise of 20 decibels, the sound energy increases by a factor of 100!