Illinois RealEstateRama

URBANA-CHAMPAIGN - April 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On the eve of Earth Day, Governor Pat Quinn today visited the award-winning, solar-powered Gable Home on the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus. The university came in second in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon thanks to the home’s modern design and innovative energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - April 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois housing market posted its seventh consecutive month of year-over-year home sales increases in March as the spring market heats up and the April 30 federal homebuyer tax credit deadline nears. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in March 2010 were up 32.8 percent, totaling 9,487 homes sold compared to March 2009 sales of 7,142 homes. The median price in March 2010 was $148,500, down 0.3 percent from $149,000 in March 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that $25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Energy will be awarded to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for energy efficiency building retrofits.

CHICAGO, IL - April 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today launched the final phase of Illinois’ ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program and encouraged residents to take advantage of a 15 percent rebate on energy efficient home appliances during Earth Week.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, United States Senator Roland W. Burris announced that the Department of Veterans of Affairs (VA) is awarding a $585,000 grant from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act for the construction of a new bus and ambulance garage at the Quincy Veterans Home in Quincy, IL

SPRINGFIELD, IL - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The popular homebuyer tax credit, which has benefited millions of first-time and move-up buyers purchasing a new home, will soon come to an end. Potential homebuyers need to move quickly if they want to take advantage of the federal tax credit before it expires April 30, 2010

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois housing market posted its sixth consecutive month of year-over-year home sales increases in February as tax credit and buyer market conditions continue to move the market toward stability. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in February 2010 were up 15.7 percent, totaling 6,068 homes sold compared to February 2009 sales of 5,243 homes. The median price in February 2010 was $135,000, down 3.6 percent from $140,000 in February 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Working to bring affordable housing options and needed jobs to Kankakee, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) joined State Senator Toi Hutchinson, State Representative Lisa Dugan, Mayor Samuel Payton, and other local officials and community members at the ground breaking of Sandstone Hills, a single-family rent-to-own community of 29 homes made possible by federal Recovery Act funding."A critical part of the American Dream is the opportunity to have a home our families can call their own," said Halvorson. "The funding provided by the Recovery Act I voted for will offer an opportunity for families to purchase homes they can afford, at a time when they need help the most."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Agriculture are being allocated to Illinois rural communities for water system projects to enhance water quality and improve sanitation services. These projects will provide construction jobs and improve water systems infrastructure in rural areas

Washington, D.C. - March 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On March 12, 2010 Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), along with Representatives Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Patrick Tiberi (R-OH) introduced, H.R. 4839, a bill that will enhance economic development in underserved areas. The bill will modify Section 118(a) of the federal tax code to reflect the increased use of partnerships or Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs), an exemption already provided to corporations

Foreclosures not limited to predatory lending as more homeowners are “underwater”. CHICAGO, IL - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More homeowners across Chicago find themselves at risk of foreclosure as property values drop and families struggle with unemployment, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today at a news conference to release National People’s Action’s 2009 Chicago Foreclosure Report.

Chicago, IL - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today introduced six ordinances supporting programs that ensure families have access to safe and secure housing and help growing businesses expand their operations. “Chicago’s strength relies on the health and stability of its neighborhoods,” Daley said. “These ordinances will help upgrade housing, enhance commercial growth and bring about positive change to the lives of local residents,

West Chicago, IL - March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The 2010 Census will document the changes in our nation since the last decennial census in 2000, and tell us how we've evolved as a country. Because census data affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to tribal, state and local governments, the census also will frame the future of our country for the next 10 years. It is vital that everyone in the United States be counted in 2010.

Washington, DC - March 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Yesterday, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-14) introduced legislation that will promote neighborhood stabilization by incentivizing short sales as a preferable alternative to foreclosure

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buyer market conditions remain in most Illinois housing markets as January marked the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year home sales increases while the statewide median price logged its first uptick since September 2007. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in January 2010 were up 14.0 percent, totaling 5,483 homes sold compared to January 2009 sales of 4,809 homes. The median price in January 2010 was $145,300, up 0.2 percent from $145,000 in January 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.