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This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) toured an affordable housing building equipped with energy efficient technology and other measures designed to cut consumers’ energy bills and make the building more comfortable for tenants. He joined Elevate Energy, as well as the building property manager and contractors, to see the facility and discuss energy efficiency and affordability in Chicago.

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) urged reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to ensure taxpayers are shielded from unnecessary risk at a hearing today on “Flood Insurance Reform: A Taxpayer’s Perspective.” Many Illinois homeowners and businesses rely on NFIP to protect themselves from disaster after a flood, so the program must be changed so it benefits those who need it most. Reliable data and accurate mapping are essential to reflect the risks to communities located on flood plains.

Chicago Public Library (CPL) and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) will announce the selection of the three architecture firms that will work with the Irving Park, West Ridge and near West Side communities to design co-located housing and library developments. Chicago is one of the first cities in the country to develop co-located housing and libraries.

The Illinois state legislature passed the Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB 2814) last week, which sets the state on a path to 25 percent renewables by 2025, including potentially thousands of megawatts of new solar.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Congressional Black Caucus today voiced their objections to Facebook’s “Ethnic Affinity” advertising option that allows housing advertisers to exclude certain ethnic groups in marketing and promotion, in a letter to company CEO Mark Zuckerberg

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today that campsite reservations are now available at southern Illinois State Parks and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex for visitors making plans to view the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. Reservations can be made for dates within the window of Aug. 14 – 27, 2017

In an effort to increase transparency and provide the public with a quick and easy method to verify the authenticity of a professional’s certificate of licensure, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is now including a unique quick response (QR) code for all professions within the Divisions of Professional Regulation and Real Estate.  When the QR code is scanned using a QR reader application from any mobile device, the latest license information from IDFPR’s database will be displayed, including licensure status.  The QR code announcement is the latest from IDFPR in their ongoing efforts to modernize the state’s regulatory agency.

Senate FY17 Energy & Water Bill Includes Kirk-Driven Provisions to Boosts Supercomputer Development, Strengthens Illinois Waterway Infrastructure; Bill Funds National Labs, Waterway Infrastructure, Cybersecurity Improvements

An alternative to the paper license pocket card is now available for the majority of licensed professionals regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). An estimated 1.1 million active licensees within the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) and the Division of Real Estate (DRE) may now choose to store an electronic license pocket card on their smartphone or tablet.

House hunting continues to move in a digital direction, and the ability to pursue property listings online certainly makes the home-search process simpler. Nonetheless, RE/MAX advises buyers to review online listings with their limitations as well as their benefits in mind

Agent Publishing, the country’s dominant hyper-local B2B real estate media company, has announced John Thomas, 50, has joined the firm as editor-in-chief and vice president of content strategy.

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today questioning this month’s Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) planning resource auction that resulted in significantly higher electricity capacity prices for central and southern Illinois. Congressmen Mike Bost (R, Illinois-12) and Rodney Davis (R, Illinois-13) joined Shimkus on the letter

U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of S. 535. The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 is a bipartisan energy bill to conserve energy, save Americans money and create jobs. Below is a transcript of Rush’s remarks and a link to the video.