Illinois RealEstateRama

Businesses and state governments would have the certainty they need to plan critical infrastructure projects if the long-term bi-partisan transportation bill passed by the U.S. Senate becomes law, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today following a tour of the Midwest Inland Port in Decatur. Since 2009, Congress has passed 34 stop-gap measures to keep the country’s major transportation and infrastructure programs from shutting down, with the most recent vote in late July– the third extension this year alone

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that the City of Chicago, Illinois has received $10,210,000 in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration for infrastructure improvements and upgrades at Chicago Midway International Airport. Of this funding, $210,000 will be used to purchase additional equipment. In addition, $10 million will be used for noise mitigation efforts near Chicago Midway International Airport.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today launched its new 1stHomeIllinois loan program to help make homeownership a reality for up to 4,000 first-time homebuyers in 10 Illinois counties hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. The program provides $7,500 in down payment assistance with an interest rate as low as 4.125 percent for a secure, 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) issued the following statement after the Obama Administration issued an onerous rule for coal-fired power plants, demanding that generators cut their carbon dioxide output 32 percent

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final Clean Power Plan rule to reduce emissions from existing power plants. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today helped pass long-term highway and rail bill that invests $6.3 billion in Illinois highways and transit systems over the next three years and includes Kirk-authored legislation to reform and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and open access to low-interest financing for freight and passenger rail projects.

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a leader of the Quiet Skies Caucus, along with Reps. Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement in response to the list of steps the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will be taking to address the noise issue at O’Hare

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has passed a long-term, bipartisan transportation bill that provides the certainty that businesses and state governments, like Illinois, need to plan critical infrastructure projects and create good-paying jobs. Since the previous long-term transportation bill expired in 2009, Congress has passed 33 stop-gap measures to keep the country’s major transportation and infrastructure programs from shutting down.

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, reiterated her call for a long-term, bipartisan highway funding bill to protect Illinois jobs and critical transportation projects. Earlier today, the House passed yet another short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund. This short term bill to fund the program through the end of October did not unfortunately include a reauthorization of the job-creating Export-Import Bank, which creates jobs and economic growth throughout Illinois. It has been expired since the end of June.

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) and members of the Quiet Skies Caucus including Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Steve Israel (NY-03), and Grace Meng (NY-06) sent a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (PA-09) and Ranking Member Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) with recommendations for the 2015 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act that would help address the harmful impacts of aircraft noise on communities across the country

Rep. Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act, which would require new homes built with federal dollars to meet accessibility standards – including a zero-step entrance, wheelchair accessible doorways and bathrooms, and climate controls that are at a height reachable from a wheelchair. Rep. Schakowsky released the following statement about the bill

This newsletter is to inform you that City crews will soon be grinding and patching various sections of roadway within your neighborhood. Weather permitting, construction activities are anticipated to begin on Monday, July 27, 2015 and be completed by August 14, 2015. The work being done will neither address all pavement deficiencies in your neighborhood nor deficiencies with the curb and gutter; instead, pavement patching operations will concentrate on the worst sections of roadway

The North Shore and Barrington housing market remains strong as we reflect upon the first half of the year. According to data from the North Shore – Barrington Association of Realtors (NSBAR), the number of closed sales and the median sales price for homes has increased in June compared to this time last year

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $218,182 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Addison Fire Protection District for a driver simulator for emergency vehicles. This simulator will allow the fire Department to practice defensive driving skills without jeopardizing the public

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Equality Caucus, joined more than 130 colleagues in introducing the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment, and other core areas of daily life.