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Springfield, IL - December 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- More optimism in terms of year-over-year home sales increases is projected in 2010 while the declines in median prices continue but at a lower rate of decline, according to the 2010 Illinois Housing Market Forecast released by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and prepared by economists from the University of Illinois Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL).

Amendment to Wall Street reform bill will shine light on loan modification process, help working families get straight answers, and prohibit egregious delay tactics or non-disclosure. WASHINGTON, DC - December 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) offered an amendment to provide greater fairness and transparency to homeowners who may have been improperly denied a loan modification on their mortgage without any explanation. The measure, an amendment to H.R. 4173 – the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, was in direct response to horror stories shared by constituents and taxpayers across the country. Quigley’s amendment has the strong support of a broad coalition of consumer advocates, including the NAACP, AFL-CIO, and National Fair Housing Alliance

December 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Working to reduce burdens on our families, small businesses, and veterans, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) today voted to pass the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, H.R.4213, which would extend a number of tax relief provisions through 2010.The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 contains three pieces of individual legislation sponsored by Halvorson, which were included into the larger bill. The first, H.R. 2146, would extend an additional standard deduction for state and local real property taxes for homeowners, which would save homeowners money on their tax returns.

CHICAGO, IL - December 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL) and his staff recently volunteered with the Young Leaders of Korean American Community Services (KACS) at an event to weatherize over a hundred living units for local senior residents

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales took a double-digit jump in October as buyers took advantage of unprecedented buyer-market conditions with record low mortgage interest rates, affordable home prices and the federal first-time homebuyer tax credit. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in October 2009 reached 10,986 homes sold, up 24.2 percent from October 2008 sales of 8,846. The Illinois median price in October 2009 was $157,000 down 7.6 percent from $170,000 in October 2008. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

CHICAGO, IL - November 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board of Directors approved allocating a $1.4 million federal grant to fund free foreclosure counseling help for homeowners throughout Illinois

CHICAGO, IL - November 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thirty-four Illinois homeowners were made whole this month when the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) repaid all the money lost from their escrow funds earlier this year. The homeowners were in default for taxes and insurance coverage after Chicago-based American Escrow, LLC went out of business without making the obligatory property tax and insurance payments from their escrow accounts.

MANTENO, IL - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) held an open house today at the Prince Home at Manteno to bring awareness to the resources the State of Illinois provides for homeless and disabled veterans. IDVA Director Dan Grant was joined by State Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Kankakee) and State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) at the facility, which was the first in Illinois to provide permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The first-time buyer tax credit built third-quarter momentum as home sales marked the first positive year-over-year increase in more than three years while price declines moderated but continued to be influenced by entry-level and distressed sales, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR). Statewide home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) totaled 32,460, up 0.3 percent from 32,358 home sales in the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter median home sale price was $165,000, down 12.9 percent from $189,500 in the third quarter of 2008. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

Washington, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) voted in favor of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, to provide aid to those hurt by the economic recession and to continue his efforts to stimulate the economy. The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 403-12, and now goes to the President for his signature

November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL07) today spoke out for, and voted in favor of, extending Unemployment Benefits, the Home Buyer Credit and a Small Business Net Operating Loss Carryback. The vote today approved amendments added by the Senate to the legislation passed by the House of Representatives six weeks ago. The legislation is expected to be signed by President Obama tomorrow. The provisions of the bill include the following.

November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Working to help those hardest hit by the struggling economy, and provide greater opportunities to realize the American dream, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) today voted to pass the bipartisan Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act."All across our district our friends and neighbors are in danger of losing their unemployment benefits, and our economy is struggling to recover, this bill is a big step in turning that around," said Halvorson. "By extending these benefits we are helping our communities today so they can be stronger and more prosperous tomorrow.

Washington, D.C. - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to extend two economic stimulus provisions championed by Congresswoman Melissa Bean to aid struggling small businesses and support the recovering housing market.

November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today voted for legislation that will extend both unemployment benefits and the first-time homebuyer tax credit. The bill now heads to the President’s desk. Hare has been a strong supporter of extending unemployment benefits during this recession. In September, Hare voted to extend these benefits for 13 additional weeks. After being amended by the Senate, today’s bill would extend benefits in Illinois by 20 weeks, where the unemployment rate is currently over 10 percent.

Radon Poster Contest launched to increase awareness of radon hazards. SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people to check their homes this month for a radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon gas, which comes from the decay of naturally-occurring uranium in the soil, has been found in homes in every county in Illinois.