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

May Illinois home prices rose 8.3 percent and home sales decreased 9.4 percent compared to May 2013, while the trend continues of recent month-over-month sales gains, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - May 22, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home prices continued an upward trend with April marking 20 consecutive months of year-over-year gains. Tighter inventory continued to affect home sales, which decreased 7.8 percent over previous-year numbers, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®

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.

CHICAGO - April 23, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The state of Illinois has diverted thousands of youth from prison and onto the right path, while saving $60 million in incarceration costs, according to the 2012-2013 Redeploy Illinois annual report recently released by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - April 22, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales decreased 11.6 percent over previous-year levels in March while median prices increased 9.7 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS

SPRINGFIELD - April 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett today, as part of the Agency’s Earth Month activities, announced household hazardous waste collections have been scheduled in eight communities for spring 2014.  Through household hazardous waste collections, citizens are given the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover household products commonly found in homes, basements and garages.  Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations

SPRINGFIELD - April 2, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced his new Welcome Home Illinois loan program to help make homeownership a reality for Illinois’ first-time home buyers. The program provides $7,500 in down-payment assistance with an interest rate as low as 3.99 percent for a secure, 30-year fixed rate mortgage. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to drive economic growth by making homeownership more affordable in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - March 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Quinn today proposed his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget, “Securing Illinois’ Financial Future.” The Governor’s address detailed an honest and responsible budget for the next fiscal year along with a five-year blueprint that will secure the state’s finances for the long-term, provide significant tax relief to homeowners and working families and invest like never before in education and early childhood

CHICAGO - March 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced the U.S. Department of the Treasury will support the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) efforts to leverage up to $30 million of its federal Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) resources to eliminate blight in communities throughout the state. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to stabilize neighborhoods and return vacant properties to productive use to advance the economy