WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded two grants totaling $3,800,000 to the Rockford Housing Authority through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grants will be used to help increase energy efficiency and decrease environmental impact of Rockford’s public housing properties

ELGIN, IL - September 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced the state has committed federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to finance a planned creative arts community in downtown suburban Elgin. The new Artspace development will provide affordable housing and will support Elgin’s arts community. The project is expected to create approximately 100 construction jobs

JERSEYVILLE, IL - September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for 32 single-family affordable rental homes which will use solar and wind power to reduce energy bills. The development, known as Lexington Farms Subdivision in Jerseyville, will house qualified working families. An estimated 81 jobs will be created.

CHICAGO, IL - September 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed September is Campus Fire Safety Month in Illinois. Since 2000, nationally there have been 71 fatal off-campus fires that have claimed the lives of 102 students, plus many more that were injured, according to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM)

Chicago, IL - September 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the recession comes to an end and the real estate market starts to steady, a new survey by Chicago Agent magazine highlights the notion that modern agents are working harder despite a steep income decline

QUINCY - September 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced the awarding of contracts for a $2.4 million construction project at the Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy, the latest work to begin under the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program

FOX LAKE, IL - August 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Built as a result of nearly $3 million in financing through the State of Illinois, a new development of 100 rental homes for low-income seniors officially opened today in north suburban Fox Lake. An estimated 150 jobs were created during the construction of Thomas Place Fox Lake

Chicago, IL - August 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jaclyn Janssen has joined the national real estate law firm Pircher, Nichols & Meeks as a litigation attorney within its Chicago office. In her new position, she will focus on litigating matters in the areas of real estate development, acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, foreclosures and constructions.

Batavia, IL - August 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-14) joined representatives from the DeKalb County Housing Authority to celebrate the completion of the water pipe replacement project at Golden Years Plaza, which received $551,289 in stimulus funding to complete this long overdue renovation

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After nearly a full year of home sales gains statewide, the rush to meet the homebuyer tax credit deadline combined with weak job and economic reports led to a lull in Illinois home sales activity in July. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in July 2010 were down 29.7 percent, totaling 8,135 homes sold compared to July 2009 sales of 11,566 homes. The median price in July 2010 was $160,000, down 4.3 percent from $167,185 in July 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

BOLINGBROOK, IL - August 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On behalf of the administration of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director Gloria L. Materre today joined local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of 106 homes for low-income seniors in southwest suburban Bolingbrook. Construction on the McKenzie Falls affordable apartments will create an estimated 130 jobs

CHICAGO, IL - August 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The state of Illinois, Chicago Public Schools and Harris N.A. have made the list of the nation’s top 50 green power partners using the most renewable electricity, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

BLUE ISLAND, IL - August 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the state’s housing finance agency under Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated the grand opening of 90 new affordable homes for seniors in south suburban Blue Island. Senior Suites of Fay’s Point features sustainable building materials and a geothermal heating and cooling system, highlighting the state’s dedication to encouraging green development

CHICAGO, IL - August 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement praising the Obama Administration’s announcement of additional support to “Hardest Hit” states with high unemployment to assist in foreclosure prevention. The U.S. Department of the Treasury will make $2 billion of additional assistance available to unemployed homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments. Illinois is eligible to receive more than $166 million in federal funding to help unemployed homeowners having trouble making mortgage payments

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Second quarter Illinois home sales figures reflect the continued positive impact of the tax credit and strong buyer market conditions while the statewide median price showed stability over the entire second quarter. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) second quarter 2010 report, Illinois home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 35,628 in the second quarter, up 27.7 percent from 27,890 home sales in the same period a year ago. The last quarter when sales totals were higher than second quarter 2010 was third quarter 2007 when home sales reached 39,904