Archives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Congressman Rodney Davis (RIL-13) announced that a key provision of their bipartisan and bicameral legislation to help speed up repairs and upgrades to the aging locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers overwhelmingly passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with bipartisan support. The provision was included in the Water Resources Reform & Development Act (WRRDA), which will now go to the House floor for a vote by the full chamber

STERLING - September 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $5 million in investments to 13 communities across Illinois for green infrastructure improvement projects. Illinois Green Infrastructure Grants (IGIG) are designed to support projects that reduce the amount of pollution running into Illinois waterways from stormwater sources and reduce the risk of localized flooding. This announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations, while creating construction jobs

SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales increased 17.3 percent over previous-year levels in August and median prices increased 13.6 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®, closing out the summer selling season on a strong note.

WASHINGTON - September 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced the allocation of nearly $29 million to the City of Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, and the State of Illinois to help these communities recover from devastating spring storms, strong winds and flooding. These grants are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to support long-term disaster recovery efforts in areas with the greatest extent of ‘unmet need.’

CHICAGO - August 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the state’s housing finance agency, today announced Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has upgraded its credit rating. S&P cited IHDA’s financial strength and strong management practices in raising the credit rating to AA- from A+.

CHICAGO - August 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law protecting Illinois renters in foreclosed multifamily properties. The new law requires those acquiring foreclosed residential property to honor existing leases or give tenants adequate time to make a safe move. This legislation is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to protecting Illinois families and helping them fight foreclosure

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales surged 28.5 percent over previous-year levels in July and median prices increased 14.2 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®, providing evidence of a strong summer housing market.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today applauded the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s approval of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) solvency legislation that includes his amendment to protect seniors who take out reverse mortgage loans. The amendment, which Senator Kirk offered with Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and David Vitter (R-La.), strengthens the FHA Solvency Act, a bill that reforms the FHA to put the agency on more stable financial ground.

Washington, DC - July 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) speaks out against drastic cuts to infrastructure and housing programs made in the FY 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

CHICAGO - July 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing today announced the release of a new Fair Housing Webinar series funded as a partnership project by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. The series of webinars covers major fair housing issues and is designed to educate stakeholders and the general public about fair housing law under federal law as well as the Illinois Human Rights Act.

STATEWIDE - July 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Affordable housing for seniors, working families and people with disabilities is on the horizon for Illinois communities. As the state housing finance agency under Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board recently approved the allocation of federal tax credits generating an estimated $62.2 million in private equity to create more than 620 new and refurbished affordable rental units and generate more than 930 jobs across Illinois.

Washington, D.C. - July 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Bill Foster introduced an amendment to the PATH Act, Republican legislation which would radically remake housing finance policy leading to fewer opportunities for home ownership for middle class families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following a Senate Banking Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today released a statement on the role of community banks in the housing finance system, and expressed his support for winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded over $67 million dollars in grants to be allocated throughout specific counties, cities and the state of Illinois. The Community Development Block Grant, which has been awarded to Cook, Dupage, and Kane counties as well as multiple cities including Elgin, Palatine and Schaumburg, aims to help further develop urban communities by creating better living environments and increasing economic opportunities

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales increased 14.9 percent over previous-year levels in June and median prices increased 9.7 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®, continuing an impressive run of sales gains that show resurgence in the housing market is continuing.