Realtors to the Rescue: Helping Chicago’s Homeless Pets.

…a program of the Chicago Association of Realtors…

This is a new, not-for-profit organization, created by some of my Rubloff colleagues, and I hope you’ll help us. Through our website, Realtors To The Rescue, RTTR works to achieve two goals:

1) To promote the adoption of homeless animals.

2) To support area animal shelters’ fund-raising and educational events.

We’re showing our support during the month of June with a towel drive, and you can help! Shelters always need towels. Realtors to the Rescue is placing donation boxes in business offices and retail establishments around Chicago. You can drop off towels at the location of your choice. Drop me a line for a list of box locations and stay tuned for other news and events!

This Just In from MSNBC: Chicago Parks For Free — Today Only!

Police officers received orders on Wednesday not to issue any parking tickets in areas with pay-and-display meter boxes due to “issues” with the meters, the Chicago Tribune’s Clout Street is reporting.

Motorists are reportedly paying for their spots, but the boxes aren’t printing receipts that are to be displayed on dashboards. Some have resorted to leaving notes on their dashes instead.

The private company that assumed operations of the city’s paid parking spots has sent out crews to fix problems affecting roughly 23 percent of the 556 pay boxes in the city, according to City Budget Department spokesman Pete Scales. A spokeswoman for the parking meter company said the problem will be fixed by this afternoon.

Let the Chicago Police Department Keep You Informed.

Stay connected to what’s happening in Chicago and other locations that are relevant to you! You can receive trusted, up-to-the-minute neighborhood information directly from Chicago Police Department.

You choose the information you want, from urgent public safety alerts to community information. They send them the way you want them – by text, by email, or just over the web. Just follow this link and fill in the blanks.

http://www.nixle.com/chicago-welcome.html

Homebuyers to Use the $8,000 Tax Credit as a Down Payment

From the National Association of Realtors, late-breaking news on how first-time home buyers could use the $8000 tax credit if they qualify: Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this week said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8000 tax credit as a down payment.

Previously, most buyers wouldn’t receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been calling for the change.

“We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment,” Donovan says. His remarks came in an address to several thousand REALTORS® gathered Tuesday morning at “The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy,” at the 2009 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C.

He says FHA’s approved lenders will be permitted to “monetize” the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.

I have a handy list of FAQs about the tax credit. Get in touch if you’d like a copy! (312) 296-9249; karen@karenpatton.net

A Sure Sign It's Spring: Farmer's Markets are Back!

Fresh, unhusked corn, bouquets of sunflowers, brownies baked by hand and individually wrapped...

These are a few of my favorite things from my own local farmer's market. At last -- after the longest, worstest winter in the history of weather -- Chicago's outdoor farmer's markets are coming back. Grab your recyclable shopping bag and go support some of our local growers!

These markets open this month in downtown Chicago:

Federal Plaza-Adams and Dearborn May 12-October 27 Tuesdays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Daley Plaza-Washington and Dearborn May 14-October 27; Thursdays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Division Street-Divison and Dearborn May 16-October 31; Saturdays 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

These markets open next month in downtown Chicago:

Prudential Plaza-Lake and Beaubien Court June 9-October 27; Tuesdays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville-Chicago and Mies van der Rohe Way June 9-October 27; Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Erie Street-500 West Erie Street June 21-October 25; Sundays 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.


Want more information? Go to www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us

A Brilliant Idea!

Alderman Reilly, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Department of Environment want to help you save energy and money this summer.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are available at Alderman Reilly's Constituent Office (one per person). In order to receive a free bulb, please be prepared to sign up with your name, address and email.

These bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to nine years. That's 10 times longer than regular light bulbs! Stop by the Constituent Service Office during normal business hours to pick up your free light bulb.

For more information please visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or www.cityofchicago.org/environment.

Chicago's Most Active Housing Markets

Are you curious how your neighborhood is holding up in this topsy-turvy real estate market? Following is a report card on recent sales activity as presented by the Chicago Tribune.

These statistics reflect the time frame of January-March, 2009. Statistics are broken down by neighborhood, immediately followed by the total number of transactions for the time frame.

Prices shown are the median sale price for that neighborhood, followed by the percentage (up or down) by which that price changed in one year. (I originally had everything in neat little columns but Blogspot wipes out the columns every time I hit "publish." Go figure! lol)


Near North Side 370 $438,500 -8.0%

Lakeview 202 $366,000 -6.15%

Near West Side 166 $316,000 -2.32%

West Town 157 $365,000 -11.08%

Loop 140 $339,000 -15.25%

Near South Side 133 $433,500 29.40%

Lincoln Park 99 $475,000 3.83%

Logan Square 93 $277,000 -18.05%

Uptown 80 $256,000 -8.90%

West Ridge 77 $256,000 2.40%

Do you have questions about specific properties in specific neighborhoods? Give me a call. I'll fill you in! (312) 296-9249; karen@karenpatton.net

Streeterville Town Hall Meeting Recap

I attended the May 2 Town Hall Meeting featuring State Representative Will Burns and State Senator Kwame Raoul. They came to the neighborhood to discuss state programs and services, and to hear residents' views on important community issues.

Mssrs. Burns and Raoul emphasized that the number one issue is restoring credibility and reforming state government. They and their colleagues plan to do this in a number of ways, including:

Overhauling the Illinois Teachers' Retirement Pension System

A pension ethics reform bill has already been passed. A transparency policy of contracts has been instituted, along with the criminal penalties for any trustees found to have a conflict of interest. They have also provided for education programs for trustees, so they will have the proper knowledge and skills to oversee this pension fund.


Exploring a Cap on Illinois Campaign Contributions

Unlike many other states, there is currently no limit on campaign contributions in Illinois. State Representative Burns mentioned "it's the subtle influence of money" that needs to be lessened and hopefully eliminated. He expressed a desire to level the playing field and pledged that reformers will continue pressing on this issue.


2016 Olympics

Senator Kwame Raoul said many constituents have expressed a concern over the $250 million in funds Illinois has promised to the Olympic Committee. Senator Raoul emphasized that this money will only be paid should the 2016 Olympic Games go into the red. He also pointed out that this has never happened. He further stated that the Olympics would have to go into debt by $750 million before Illinois would be required to pay the $250 million.

Senator Raoul also said the 2016 Olympics is projected to bring $22 BILLION in income to Chicago.


Children's Memorial Hospital: Heliport Debate

By far, the hottest topic of the meeting was the proposed heliport at Chidren's Memorial Hospital's new Streeterville location! Residents expressed many, many concerns over safety issues. Their primary concern is whether the Illinois Dept. of Transportation's review will be thorough. They also worry that the review is being conducted by professionals who are not thoroughly qualified to conduct such a review. Mssrs. Raoul and Burns reassured residents that a VERY thorough review will be done. They also hinted that a final determination might be available by this July.


Do you have questions about what else was discussed at the meeting? Drop me a line. I'll fill you in! karen@karenpatton.net