Yearly Archives: 2017

REALTOR® Sue Miller, ABR, BPOR, CRS, GRI, ePro, PMN, SFR, SRS, of McHenry, has been named the 2017 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year by the Illinois REALTORS®. She is the managing broker of Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell in McHenry

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $4,198,600 in federal funding for projects in Clay, Crawford, Edgar, Marion, Moultrie, Richland, and Pulaski Counties to support rural community development projects. Today’s funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Community Development Initiative Grant, will provide assistance to benefit public safety, water infrastructure, local VFWs, mental health facilities, and more.

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), released the following statement on Congress’ consideration of House resolutions that would revoke existing federal rules that protect the environment and support American businesses

Governor Bruce Rauner today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) has awarded the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) $4.173 million dollars to reimburse funds spent for the new water treatment facility at the Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy (IVHQ). The scope of the work included repair, replacement and upgrades to the domestic water system at the Illinois Veterans Home in order to treat the water with chemicals and heat, and to eliminate non-circulating plumbing.

Chicago Housing Authority CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. announced today that CHA’s 2017 Moving to Work (MTW) Annual Plan has been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), allowing the agency to move forward with its proposals outlined in the Plan

Real estate professionals and home sellers in Illinois have a new tool to help them meet state legal requirements regarding radon in homes. A three-minute video developed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) is now available to ensure home buyers receive information about radon as required by the Illinois Radon Awareness Act.

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14), member of the House Financial Services Committee, today was named to the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance which has jurisdiction over flood insurance including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, public and private housing, urban development and terrorism risk insurance. Rep. Hultgren was also elevated as Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities and Investment.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Illinois continues to lead the nation in LEED green building. The 2016 national rankings placed Illinois third on the annual list, making Illinois one of only two states to remain in the top ten since the list began in 2010. The annual list highlights states throughout the country that made significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation over the past year.

Despite a dip in home sales in December, both sales and median prices finished in positive territory in 2016, closing out a year marked by tight housing inventories and continued strong consumer demand, according to Illinois REALTORS

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. today announced the CHA is partnering with several Chicago-area developers to bring a proposed mixed-income and mixed-use development to the Rogers Park neighborhood that includes affordable and market rate housing, a “flexible-format” Target store, and an upgraded community room and open space for residents of CHA’s Caroline Hedger Apartments for seniors on Sheridan Road near Devon Avenue

Governor Bruce Rauner joined by Reverend Jesse Jackson, State Sen. Steans and state agency directors today signed Senate Bill 550, legislation to protect Illinois children from possible exposure to lead in drinking water. "Today is about our future, about making sure our students are not exposed to lead poisoning," said Governor Rauner. "This shows what is possible when we work together. It is a step in protecting our children from the devastating effects of lead exposure.”

Cristina Matos, the first-ever Hispanic resident to serve on the Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, made her first appearance as an official Board member Tuesday at CHA’s monthly board meeting. Matos, a resident of CHA’s Southeast Scattered Sites, was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Nov. 16, 2016 and will complete the term of retired former Commissioner Harriet Johnson. She will serve until July 7, 2019

Starting today, CHA residents are encouraged to apply for one of more than 200 college scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The 2017 CHA Scholarship application period is now open through May 17, 2017. In the last three years, CHA has provided support to 534 recipients totaling almost $850,000. Further, more than 80 percent of recent scholarship classes remain enrolled or have graduated, including

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today that more than $3.6 million in federal grant funding has been approved for local governments to purchase land to be used for public access and recreation.  Funding for the program is made available through the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)