March 31, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development say more than 600 vacant city lots will be available for private purchase, starting on Wednesday.

A statement from the mayor’s office says the lots are valued at $34 million and span 25 wards across the city. Purchases can be made through the ChiBlockBuilder.com portal.

SUBURBAN WOMAN CHARGED IN ALLEGED FRAUD CASE

A federal grand jury has indicted a Buffalo Grove woman for allegedly swindling multiple victims out of at least $3.5 million by falsely claiming their money would be used to support immigration services, projects in Ukraine and other supposed needs.

Tatiana Bazer, 40, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of wire fraud and two counts of impersonating a federal law enforcement officer.

911 CALL CENTERS COMPLETE SHIFT TO IP-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE

Illinois State Police say all 169 of the state’s 911 call centers have upgraded to Next Generation 911.

Transitions from voice-centric networks to IP-based infrastructure began in June 2022 and concluded March 4.

ISP Director Brendan Kelly said Illinois has moved into the 21st century for 911 communication.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

Taxpayer risk cited after Bears stadium bill stalls

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Bears stadium legislation is stalled after questions arose about a potentially unpopular tax structure and financial...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed...
Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but...
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois legislative session has ended with no stadium deal for the Chicago Bears. House Bill 958...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer charged with new felony

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Late Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer has been charged with possessing a 6-inch shank in...
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, 'no property tax relief'

$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has voted to approve a record-high budget for fiscal year 2027, with new...
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.1

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for May 18, 2026

Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026 The Casey City Council moved through a substantial agenda on Monday, May 18, 2026, with its most consequential action being the approval...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment numbers rise; Champaign job growth continues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security,...
Filing lawsuits doesn’t immunize Gori vs asbestos fraud claims: New filing

Filing lawsuits doesn’t immunize Gori vs asbestos fraud claims: New filing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying "human tragedy is no license for fraud," a plastic pipes maker is urging a federal judge to reject the bid to...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Casey Annexes City-Owned Properties to Correct Boundary ‘Donut Holes’

Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved Ordinance No. 628, annexing five tracts of city-owned property —...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.1

Casey Approves Two Easement Ordinances for North-of-Interstate Utility Work

Casey City Council Meeting | May 18, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved two ordinances cleaning up easement paperwork tied to utility development...
Casey Westfield School Board.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education for May 18, 2026

Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education Meeting | May 18, 2026 Overall Meeting Summary The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 Board of Education met in regular session at 7...