Clients in the News
Illinois’ property tax sale system on path to potential reform
Client: Chicago Community Trust Source: Chicago Tribune A new Senate bill amendment backed by the Cook County treasurer’s office and the Chicago Community Trust seeks to reform Illinois’ property tax sale system. Backers such as state Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat, say the bill would cut the cost for homeowners trying to pay
A bill advances that would make it easier to get abandoned lots back on tax rolls
Client: Chicago Community Trust Source: Crain's Chicago Business A bill that would make it easier to move tens of thousands of effectively abandoned residential lots back onto the tax rolls and into productive use has picked up some late-session momentum in Springfield, clearing a House committee this morning. Under the proposal pushed by Cook
‘Property Purgatory’: How A Small Tax Loophole Leaves Some Rockford Properties Left To Deca
Client: Chicago Community Trust Source: Rock River Current ROCKFORD — From the outside, the two-story cream-colored house on Fourth Avenue doesn’t look like it would inspire the ire of city officials. Sure, there are a few busted windows and overgrown weeds, but there are far more decrepit properties in the city. City officials, however,
Profiting off of blight: Loophole in state law incentivizes leaving properties abandoned
Client: Chicago Community Trust Source: WCIA.com DECATUR, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — They can be found dotted around Decatur. Vacant, blighted homes that have been rotting for years. The city slowly takes ownership of them, choosing to rebuild or demolish them, but the process often takes years. That process begins with someone falling behind on their
Illinois bill could reform process for redeveloping abandoned homes
Client: Chicago Community Trust Source: We Are Central Illinois (WAND) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — You likely see vacant and abandoned property in your community, and Illinois state lawmakers know those buildings lead to higher property taxes for neighbors. A House Democrat from Chicago is working with community developers, affordable housing advocates, and tax policy
Hold-Up With State Rules Prevents Free Dental Clinic From Expanding
Client: TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence Source: NBC Chicago A state law passed in 2021 allows dentists to offer pro bono services, but a state agency has yet to finalize the rules for a Chicago clinic to implement the law. TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence wants to expand its free dental clinic in
Advocate Aurora Health investing in South Suburban mental health services
Client: Advocate Aurora Health Source: Weekly Citizen Advocate Aurora Health investing in South Suburban mental health services Recognizing the growing need for mental health care in South Chicagoland, Advocate Aurora Health recently announced a $20-million investment in a new state-of the-art inpatient behavioral health facility at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest. The investments
Dentists seek ways to take a bite out of dental disparity
Client: Aspen Dental Source: Chicago Crusader For many low-income, Medicaid-supported, or uninsured residents in Chicago, finding a dentist is akin to finding a Black leprechaun, with a golden lottery ticket in its pocket. Data from the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Health Policy Institute shows there are 8,674 dentists registered in Illinois, more than 2,000 of
Meet the woman who will be running NASCAR’s Chicago race
Client: Nascar Source: Crain's Chicago Longtime track executive Julie Giese is responsible for bringing to life NASCAR's first street race event.
This project can help Illinois meet clean energy goals
Client: SOO Green Source: Crain's Chicago The SOO Green HVDC Link, already under development, can help put Illinois first in the nation in building a clean, reliable energy grid, writes an executive with the project.
Title IX played a big part in Laura Ricketts’ life. ‘The impact is immeasurable,’ the Chicago Cubs co-owner and MLB groundbreaker says.
Client: Chicago Cubs Source: Chicago Tribune thought of as the other. I have this incredible access and incredible privilege. On a scorching June afternoon, historic Wrigley Field served as a fitting backdrop. Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts holds a rare position within men’s professional sports leagues. She is one of a few women currently
New Chicago clinic will offer free dental care to 2,500 Illinois residents a year
Client: Aspen Dental Source: Medical Xpress Low-income Illinois residents will soon be able to receive free dental care at a new 25,000-square-foot clinic being opened in Chicago's Fulton Market district this summer by The Aspen Group, which operates dental and medical clinics across the country and recently moved its headquarters to Chicago. While a number
Northwestern technology spinout lands $10 million
Client: Epicore Source: DigitalHealth Epicore Biosystems, a wearable-technology company spun out of Northwestern University, has raised $10 million in venture funding. Epicore is commercializing technology developed by a team led by John Rogers, one of Northwestern’s most prolific inventors. The technology captures sweat, which can be analyzed to monitor the health of athletes or workers by
Northwestern technology spinout lands $10 million
Client: EpicoreSource: Crain's ChicagoEpicore is the latest wearables company to come from the lab of researcher John Rogers.
People’s Music School gets settled
Client: The People's Music School Source: Axios Chicago A school that has given free music lessons to thousands of Chicago kids has a new leader. Francis "Frank" Graffeo arrived this week to lead the People's Music School at 901 W. Eastwood, where it's been since 1995, with satellite spots in Albany Park, Back of the Yards and
At long last, LeClaire Courts replacement looks real
Client: Cabrera Capital Source: Chicago Sun-Times The timeline of major events in the history of the LeClaire Courts public housing site on the Southwest Side doesn’t inspire confidence that good things can happen there. And yet, that appears to be the case after years of inattention and indecision by the site’s owner, the Chicago Housing
Major Development With 700 Units, Grocery Store And More Could Spark Change On Southwest Side, Alderman Says
Client: Cabrera Capital Source: Block Club Chicago LECLAIRE COURTS — A developer’s proposal to revitalize the LeClaire Courts site on the Southwest Side include plans for nearly 700 apartments, the bulk of which will go to people in need of affordable housing. Developers shared their latest plans for the site during a Tuesday night community
Editorial: Agency’s creative proposal to buy hotel to help the homeless deserves consideration
Client: DuPagePads Source: Daily Herald Homelessness in the suburbs is a complex problem that demands creative solutions. One group in DuPage County has an innovative idea that is worth serious study. DuPagePads wants to buy a Red Roof Inn in Downers Grove and transform the building into an interim housing center for people experiencing homelessness.
Rivers Casino reaches milestone in $87 million expansion project
Client: Rivers Casino Source: Daily Herald The expansion of Rivers Casino Des Plaines reached a milestone Monday when local officials, members of the building trades and casino executives celebrated the placement of the final structural steel beam during a topping off ceremony. The $87 million, 78,000-square-foot expansion will include a poker room, additional slots, an events
Traton Group closes Navistar acquisition
Client: Navistar Source: Today's Trucking The Traton Group has completed its acquisition of Navistar. “Today is a sensational day for the Traton Group and for our new colleagues at Navistar joining the global Traton family,” said Traton CEO Matthias Gründler. “From this day on, we will be working side by side to bring sustainable transportation
Rivers Casino hiring 400 for expansion that will nearly double gaming positions
Client: Rivers Casino Source: Chicago Tribune Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is looking for a few hundred good card dealers. The state’s busiest casino has begun an expansion that will nearly double the number of gaming positions, and needs to hire 400 employees — including 250 dealers — by next spring. Like many post-pandemic business,
‘Down payment on modernised grid’: $5bn US loan scheme to unlock 60GW wind and solar
Client: SOO Green Source: Recharge News Department of Energy cites 22 'shovel-ready' projects that represent a $33.3bn investment that could create as many as 600,000 new jobs The US government has unveiled ambitious measures to oil the wheels of financing and siting of long-distance powerlines necessary to unlock and deliver more low-cost renewable energy
Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan meets power system needs but leaves room for political dealing
Client: SOO GreenSource: Utility Dive The Biden infrastructure spend would rapidly transition the U.S. power sector in ways utilities like, but Congress is expected to seek changes. The Biden administration's $2.3 trillion plan to broadly rebuild U.S. infrastructure and move the power sector to 100% emissions-free electricity by 2035 and the economy to net zero
Report: ‘More Workable Transmission Policies’ Needed For 22 Projects To Begin Construction Soon
Client: SOO GreenSource: T&D World During an April 27 webinar, Michael Goggin, vice president of Grid Strategies LLC, said “transmission has been absolutely essential for the growth of renewable energy and that’s even more true going forward." A report sponsored by Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG), with support from the Macro Grid
Electric scooters will again descend on Chicago after first polarizing test in the city
Progress we made in 2019 for scooters in Chicago continues into 2020! 1) Launch scooter pilot, keep it alive. ✔️ 2) Prove scooters are a safe transportation option, especially for neighborhoods with limited transit ✔️ 3) Help people get to Chicago 'L' stations and CTA busses ✔️ 4) Bring scooters back ✔️ Client: Lime