Illinois RealEstateRama

NEW LENOX, IL - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NexCore Group broke ground Thursday on a $52 million, 182,000 square foot integrated Medical Services Building (MSB) on the new Silver Cross Hospital (SCH) campus in New Lenox, about 36 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. It is the first project to be financed in part by the Denver-based healthcare real estate firm’s newly acquired, publicly held capital company. An affiliate of Heitman LLC partnered with NexCore to provide the equity for the MSB project, w

URBANA, IL - October 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal jury deliberated approximately five and one-half hours before returning guilty verdicts on all nine counts of fraud charged against Decatur real estate broker Terry Hart for his participation in a real estate “flipping” scheme Hart’s sentencing is scheduled on Jan. 20, 2011. Trial began in Urbana federal court on Sept. 21.

CHICAGO, IL - September 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated the grand opening of a new housing development featuring 73 affordable apartments for low-income seniors and a senior center. An estimated 100 jobs were created with the construction of the Casa Maravilla development in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

CHARLESTON, IL - September 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sixty-eight new affordable apartments for seniors broke ground today in Charleston on behalf of the administration of Governor Pat Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced. An estimated 52 construction jobs will be created.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales made gains in August from the previous month as buyer affordability conditions soared; slower activity is anticipated due to seasonal factors and fewer buyers in the immediate pipeline following the tax credit. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2010 totaled 8,390, an increase of 2.6 percent from July’s 8,181 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 21.9 percent compared to August 2009 sales of 10,740 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 9.2 percent January through August 2010 with 73,598 sales compared to 67,390 home sales for the same period in 2009.

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)

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

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

U.S. EPA Ranks Illinois as Second-Highest Green Power Purchasing State CHICAGO, IL - August 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced that, for the first time ever, Illinois is ranked on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of the nation’s 50 largest green power purchasers. Illinois ranked 23 overall and second among state governments listed

Batavia, IL - August 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) held a meeting with area Realtors in his Batavia office to discuss their important role in growing our economy and creating jobs.

CHICAGO, IL - August 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will boost affordable housing development across Illinois. Governor Quinn also signed a bill into law that will for the first time create funding to protect Illinois homeowners from foreclosure, and help stabilize communities throughout the state

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- While every household should have a disaster preparedness kit stocked with survival necessities such as food, water, flashlights and batteries, homes with pets and livestock need to take an extra step when planning for disasters. Whether an emergency forces people to seek shelter within the home or evacuate, advanced planning can ensure pet and livestock safety and make the situation much less stressful.

CHICAGO, IL - August 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- August 1, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to reform property assessments for millions of Illinois homeowners and provide property tax relief for Cook County residents.

July 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, tonight voted for the Fiscal Year 2011 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act which included $1 million for the I-74 Bridge. This is in addition to the $1.2 million he secured last year.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) today announced the opening of a new mortgage help center in Chicago to provide counseling and other services for struggling homeowners in the greater metro area with loans owned by Fannie Mae. The Chicago Mortgage Help Center (Center) is the second facility and third announced partnership in a series of planned mortgage help centers across the country. Fannie Mae is partnering on this initiative with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, major mortgage servicers, and civic and community leaders from across the region.At the Center, borrowers will meet directly with dedicated, on-site English- and Spanish-speaking staff and experienced housing counselors to discuss their mortgage situation. These face-to-face meetings will help borrowers better understand the range of foreclosure prevention options available to them and help them to better manage their relationship with their servicer

BLOOMINGTON, IL - July 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that requires fraternity and sorority housing in Illinois to install automatic fire sprinkler systems. Governor Quinn also highlighted a new law that requires housing units in Illinois to have a backup power supply for all smoke detectors that are wired to a building’s electrical supply.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home prices in Illinois are showing signs of stabilizing with continued positive year-over-year median price growth and 10 straight months of mostly double-digit sales increases; the Chicago region marked a year of positive sales activity in June. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in June 2010 were up 18.3 percent, totaling 13,072 homes sold compared to June 2009 sales of 11,048 homes. The median price in June 2010 was $170,000, up 2.5 percent from $165,825 in June 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

CHICAGO, IL - July 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), under the direction of Governor Pat Quinn, today announced the opening of the Wilson Yard mixed-used redevelopment project in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Along with Mayor Richard M. Daley, Alderman Helen Shiller, Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation and other local dignitaries, IHDA celebrated the opening of the development which includes two affordable rental housing developments, a Target store and other retail and office space.

ROCK ISLAND, IL Work Begins on Rock Island Development On behalf of the administration of Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) officials today celebrated the groundbreaking of new federal stimulus-funded affordable rental housing to serve Rock Island families with special needs.

EUGENE, OR - July 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) listings are now available on the website of Karl Schlehofer, thanks to his partnership with IDX, Inc. and his use of their premier service, IDX Broker software. The benefits of adopting a customized IDX solution include making the buying process simpler and more efficient for brokers, agents buyers and sellers. Never before has it been easier to find a home online than now on his website, thanks to IDX Broker software.