Illinois RealEstateRama

September brought continued annual gains in Illinois median home prices, while statewide sales declined slightly, according to Illinois REALTORS®. Statewide home sales (including single-family homes and condominiums) in September 2016 totaled 13,940 homes sold, down 0.6 percent from 14,029 in September 2015

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), joined Congressmen Cheri Bustos and Rodney Davis in a bi-partisan congressional panel with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Council on Logistics and Transportation to discuss the importance of transportation and infrastructure in Illinois and efforts Congress is making to continue funding them.

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing a $296,700 grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to fund access routes to Romeoville’s new Metra station near 135th and New Avenue. The grant, which comes from federal government funds, will be used to complete a path for walking and biking south of 135th Street and help pay for the installation of lighting along the multi-use path, a nearby access road, sidewalks, platforms, and a warming shelter

The Governor's Office announced today the Illinois Executive Mansion will close to the public in January 2017 for renovations. "The People's House will undergo an extensive transformation over the next year," First Lady Diana Rauner said. "In order to properly preserve the building as quickly and efficiently as possible, we will close the building to the public during the renovations.

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD), took his “Mike on the Move” transportation initiative to Divvy, a city wide bicycle ride-sharing system. His visit highlighted the trends of public transit and biking that the city is adapting in order to create a more transportation friendly and safer environment for bicyclists in the City of Chicago.

REALTOR® Doug Carpenter, ABR, AHWD, GRI, SFR, of Mokena has been installed as the 2017 President of Illinois REALTORS®. He is the managing broker of Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell in Orland Hills.

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) has joined 59 of his House colleagues in cosponsoring H.R. 6100, the Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act. Recent regulations from the Treasury Department artificially increase the value of many family farms and businesses, which could ultimately force them to pay more in estate, or “death” taxes. For years the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has discounted interest held in businesses for estate tax purposes—now the IRS plans to count that interest as a percentage of what the business is worth

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Family Supports and Services (DFSS) Commissioner Lisa Morrison Butler announced today the innovative Day for Change initiative—a jobs program that will provide up to 100 homeless individuals an opportunity to connect to services while earning a modest wage. A Day for Change will connect homeless panhandlers with temporary employment opportunities and supportive services.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the cities of Savanna and Rochelle, Illinois have received nearly $5 million through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to invest in transportation infrastructure projects, boosting economic development and creating jobs throughout the region.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) CEO Eugene Jones, Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) and community stakeholders to reopen the historic Rosenwald Courts in Bronzeville as a modern, affordable apartment complex.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today that campsite reservations are now available at southern Illinois State Parks and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex for visitors making plans to view the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. Reservations can be made for dates within the window of Aug. 14 – 27, 2017

The Illinois housing market got a healthy bounce in August, with gains in both home sales and median prices, according to Illinois REALTORS®. Statewide home sales (including single-family homes and condominiums) in August 2016 totaled 16,455 homes sold, up 6.7 percent from 15,415 in August 2015.

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) has announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Midway Airport two grants to improve safety at the airport. An almost two million dollar grant will be used to help rehabilitate over a mile of runway to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. In addition, a separate grant for $72,000 will help pay for equipment needed to reduce the risk of runway incursions and conflicts between aircraft and vehicles operating at the airport

The Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority today approved support for a number of developments that will expand housing opportunities, showing the agency’s commitment to providing more housing options for low-income and formerly homeless individuals