Yearly Archives: 2009

Home Modification Grants Enable IL Residents to Maintain Indepence. CHICAGO, IL - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Low-income seniors and residents with disabilities in Illinois can continue to live independently and with family under a new round of $2.2 million in state funding through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Families and individuals with special needs can apply for Home Modification Program grant money to install ramps, chair lifts, wider doors and other accessible improvements to their homes

Grants to Create Jobs and Expand Supply of Decent, Affordable Housing. Washington, DC - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Kane County with two different grants, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) worth $1,210,514 and a HOME program grant worth $805,428

September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the city of Rock Island $306,026 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act though the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Decatur $623,309 and Springfield $516,191 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP).These grants offer communities a resource to provide short- and medium-term rental assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or to quickly re-house those who are experiencing homelessness.

CHICAGO, IL - September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) board today appointed Gloria L. Materre, former deputy chief of staff under Governor Pat Quinn, as executive director. IHDA is the state agency dedicated to financing affordable housing across the state. Materre succeeds DeShana L. Forney, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

Washington, DC - September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that the Granite City Housing Authority has received a $6,052,223 grant as part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds will be used to make energy efficiency improvements at Granite City Commons

WASHINGTON, DC - September 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today accepted a $17.3 million plan from the State of Illinois to support its recovery following last year's devastating floods. The emergency funding is provided through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and will help Illinois to buyout homes and support local infrastructure projects located in flood-prone areas.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The end is nearing for the first-time homebuyer tax credit. In order to qualify, homebuyers must close on or before midnight on November 30th of this year to qualify for the tax credit. The National Association of REALTORS® estimates close to two million first-time buyers will have taken advantage of the $8,000 tax credit this year, stimulating an additional 350,000 home sales

JOLIET, IL - September 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn joined business and community leaders today to break ground on a new transportation facility in Joliet. Based on their existing Elwood facility, CenterPoint Properties projects 7,000 permanent jobs will be brought to Illinois by this new facility.

CHICAGO, IL - September 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) to discuss the state of the foreclosure crisis on Chicago’s southwest side and to discuss a several legislative proposals he is considering introducing in the Senate this fall. One proposal would give homeowners facing foreclosure the right to temporarily remain in their homes by paying fair-market rent to the bank, another would provide funding to support mandatory arbitration programs in which homeowners and banks sit down face to face to work out loan modifications, and a third would extend the tax credit for first time home buyers enacted earlier this year to further reduce excess housing inventory that is dragging down sale prices.

CHICAGO, IL - August 31, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today urged seniors and people with disabilities to take advantage of tomorrow’s early application date for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). “Seniors and individuals with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the cold weather,” said Governor Quinn. “I encourage people to apply for assistance through LIHEAP so that they can stay safe, warm and healthy this winter.

CHICAGO, IL - August 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn signed the Intermodal Facilities Promotion Act, which is designed to encourage business development along the freight rail systems of Illinois. Based on experience with their existing Elwood facility, CenterPoint Properties projects 7,000 permanent new jobs being brought to Illinois through an intermodal facility in Joliet

Renovation Will Improve Energy Efficiency of Historic Courthouse. New York, N.Y. - August 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading general builder, has been selected by the United States General Services Administration to provide pre-construction and construction management services for the $110 million renovation of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois, which was constructed in 1964 and designed by Mies Van Der Rohe. The courthouse will remain in operation during the renovation, with work being performed at night and during the weekends. Completion of the renovation is scheduled for 2012.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- August 20, 2009. On behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today released guidelines for individuals and businesses interested in applying for state energy grants. Last week, Governor Quinn announced that the U.S. Department of Energy had approved Illinois’ State Energy Plan (SEP), which will make over $100 million in federal recovery funding available for grants in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- July registered another month of positive signs in the Illinois housing market with home sales about even with July 2008 totals as well as six consecutive month-to-month sales increases for both the state as a whole and the Chicagoland PMSA. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in July 2009 reached 11,407 homes sold, off a slight 0.1 percent from July 2008 sales of 11,417; sales were up 4.2 percent from 10,944 homes sold the previous month of June 2009.