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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Illinois State Tournament on Saturday, March 21 at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Participation continues to grow as 1,056 archers from 38 schools have qualified to compete. Participation in the State Tournament has climbed steadily from 400 in 2012 to 700 in 2013 and 873 in 2014. Top finishers qualify for the NASP National Tournament to be held May 7-9 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host a public hearing on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Disaster Resilience Competition, a grant program designed to help states and their communities better prepare for and withstand natural disasters

Following the recent BNSF train derailment south of Galena, U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for renewing efforts to create the strongest possible safety standards for the transportation of flammable materials such as crude oil by rail.  In a letter to the Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan, the Illinois members cited booming oil production in the Bakken region and Canadian tar sands that have caused an exponential increase in shipments of crude oil

Fourth round of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance projects will support goals of building a strong, livable, and prosperous region

Illinois home prices surged 10.4 percent in January 2015, providing a solid start to the new housing year, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

Governor Pat Quinn today broke ground on the $70.5 million Illinois Veterans Home at Chicago. The 200-bed facility will be the fifth veterans’ home in the state and the first in Chicago. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s longstanding commitment to honor and support the men and women who have served our nation.

REALTOR® Jim Kinney, ABR, CRB, CRS, GRI, of Chicago has been installed as the 2015 President of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. He is Vice-President of Luxury Home Sales for Baird & Warner in Chicago.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that the Chicago area has been awarded a total of $31.475 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs’ (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. This funding was made available through the FY2013 Sandy Supplemental Appropriations Bill, passed by Congress last year, and is part of a third allocation for communities that are continuing recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding that began on April 18, 2013.

As part of his ongoing budget review, Governor Quinn today announced that the state of Illinois had again cut property leases to save an additional $55 million by continuing to downsize the space it leases in the upcoming fiscal year. This brings the total savings accomplished since the Governor took office to $220 million in property leases through consolidation, elimination or negotiation – roughly the equivalent of space in Chicago's Trump

This Sunday, June 22, will mark the 70th anniversary of the GI Bill, which has given returning veterans a hand up with educational benefits, home loans and other services. The GI Bill has been one of the most successful pieces of legislation in our country’s history, growing our economy and helping veterans assimilate into civilian life. However, one glitch in the law is causing veterans to be denied the benefits they deserve

Today, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the DuPage Homeownership Center an $18,183 grant to support their efforts in providing a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low-to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. This funding will assist the DuPage Homeownership Center in improving financial literacy, expanding homeownership opportunities, providing accessibility to affordable housing, and preserving homeownership.

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) fought to expand federal housing assistance and protect funding and eligibility for vital infrastructure programs that improve the economy and support local communities, including projects in Chicago and Cook County. His efforts come as the House Appropriations Committee considers the FY15 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill Fisher Investments Jay Carlson

Washington, DC - May 21, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) voted for H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The legislation will now be sent to the Senate for a final vote. WRRDA authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to construct and maintain infrastructure on the Inland Waterways System. Several facilities in Illinois’ 11th District are funded through WRRDA, including the Brandon Road Lock and Dam

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement today prior to the banking subcommittee's markup of Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo's (R-Idaho) housing reform legislation

LA GRANGE, Ill. - May 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- As veterans continue to return home with service-related injuries and disabilities, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today visited a newly refurbished home in La Grange, Ill., to announce his support for S. 1387, the HAVEN Act. This bill will create a pilot program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development to enhance ongoing efforts by nonprofit organizations that repair and refurbish homes for disabled and low-income veterans. These public-private partnerships will require a 50 percent match by the organization receiving the funds.