Press Releases

Governor Blagojevich Renews Call for Foreclosure Protections for Illinois Homeowners

Governor Partners with Sen. Collins and Rep. Hamos to Introduce Foreclosure Moratorium of up to Three-months for Homeowners that Enter Counseling
CHICAGO, IL - November 10, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Standing with Ada Brown at the home she almost lost to an unaffordable adjustable rate mortgage, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today renewed his call for legislation […]

Realtor Good Neighbor Awards Winners are Committed to Their Communities

CHICAGO, IL - October 23, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Realtors® feel strongly about giving back to their communities, volunteering countless hours to people and organizations that need a helping hand. The five individuals that the National Association of Realtors® has named as this year’s REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards recipients embody this extraordinary commitment to […]

Blagojevich Administration Recognizes Volunteers for 27th Annual Governor’s Home Town Awards

Village of Mundelein Wins 2008 Governor’s Cup for Creation of Youth After School Program
SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 21, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Hundreds of volunteers whose hard work and dedication greatly improve their communities were recognized today during the 27th annual Governor’s Home Town Awards ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield.

Durbin Urges Federal Agencies to Use Newly Granted Powers to Prevent Foreclosures

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 06, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter today asking the heads of the Federal Reserve, Federal Housing Finance Authority, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Secretary of the Treasury to aggressively and quickly work to minimize home mortgage foreclosures.

HUD awards $20 million to continue revitalization at Chicago’s Stateway Gardens public housing development

Funding to bring new rental and homeownership opportunities for former residents
CHICAGO, IL - September 30, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steven Preston today awarded a $20 million grant to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to continue the revitalization of the former Stateway Gardens public housing development.  Secretary Preston joined Mayor […]

Governor Blagojevich Pleased that 14 Southern Illinois Counties Approved for Small Business Administration Loan Assistance

Governor Blagojevich sought declaration so homeowners and businesses would be eligible for low interest loans
SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 10, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today said he is pleased that his request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for Southern Illinois counties affected by flooding in March has been granted.  […]

Illinois Attorney General Sues 14th Company for Mortgage Rescue Fraud

Madigan Alleges Florida Company Takes Advantage of Homeowners on the Verge of Losing their Homes to Foreclosure
Chicago, IL - August 29, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today continued her aggressive legal fight against mortgage fraud by filing a lawsuit against a Clearwater, Fla., company which operates a rescue fraud scheme that […]

Businesses Honored for Contributions to Lower-Income Communities

Chicago, IL - August 20, 2008 - (RealEstateRama) —NeighborWorks® has announced the most generous contributors to its work in affordable housing, foreclosure intervention and community development for FY 2007.  The organizations were presented with the annual NeighborWorks® Partner Awards at a ceremony in Chicago on August 19.

Governor Blagojevich urges Congressional Delegation to support additional LIHEAP funding

Low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities apply for summer energy assistance in record numbers
 
 CHICAGO, July 29, 2008 (RealEstateRama) – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today sent a letter to members of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation urging them to support legislation that would increase funding to the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 

Rebuilding Together and NARI Work Together to Assist Low-Income Homeowners

DES PLAINES, IL and WASHINGTON D.C. – June 12, 2008 – Rebuilding Together, the nation’s lead nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only national association dedicated exclusively to the remodeling industry,  have forged an alliance. 

Madigan Bill Requires Lenders to Provide info to Help Struggling Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Legislation Headed to House Floor
Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Representative Marlow Colvin (D-33rd) and State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16th) have initiated new legislation to assist struggling homeowners to help save their homes.

Gov. Blagojevich proclaims April as Fair Housing Month in Illinois

Blagojevich officials marked the 40th anniversary of federal Fair Housing Act and the one hundred-year anniversary of Springfield Race Riots of 1908 Deputy Governor Louanner Peters and Illinois Department of Human Rights present exhibit “Summer of Hate: A Modern Perspective of the Springfield Race Riot of 1908”
 CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich proclaimed April as […]

Gov. Blagojevich Applauds Senate Committee Action on Landmark Homeowner Protection Legislation

New measure creates 60-day moratorium on foreclosure if families seek help
SPRINGFIELD – The Homeowner Protection Act, Senate Bill 1998, first announced by Governor Blagojevich last month and sponsored by Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), cleared its first legislative obstacle earlier today when it was approved by the Senate Licensed Activities Committee.

Chicago Foreclosure Activity Up 8 Percent in February

Chicago Foreclosure Rate Second Highest Among Top 5 Metros
Illinois Foreclosure Activity Up 12 Percent
IRVINE, Calif. – March 28, 2008 — The eight-county Chicago metropolitan area reported 6,466 properties with foreclosure filings in February, an 8 percent increase from the previous month and a 20 percent increase from February 2007, according to the latest RealtyTrac U.S. […]

HUD Charges Chicago Landlord with Violating Fair Housing ACT

Landlords allegedly discriminated against families with childrenWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Chicago landlords Martin and Mary Giarelli with housing discrimination for allegedly refusing to rent to families with children and making discriminatory statements. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on a person’s […]