Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

March 31, 2026/
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

Everyday Economics: The case for a December rate cut

Everyday Economics: The case for a December rate cut

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week brought the delayed September numbers on personal income, consumption, and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. It’s...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.4

Board Takes No Action on Recreation Donation Request

Beecher Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees declined to advance a request for a cash donation from Beecher Recreation....
beecher ilinois school board graphic.5

School Facilities Committee: Heating Failure Reported at Beecher High School; Junior High Roof Leak Identified

Beecher School District Facilities Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary:As winter sets in, Beecher school officials are addressing a heating failure in the high school band room and a...
Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 12.00.30 PM

Joliet Unity Movement Criticizes Board’s Handling of Cannabis Tax Revenue

Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025 Article Summary: During public comment, the Joliet Unity Movement denounced a recent board vote that redirected cannabis tax revenue away from community...
Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs

Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate will hold a doomed vote next week on Democrats’ bill to extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies for three more years. Senate Republicans,...
Obama-era 'Welcoming Cities' program overlaps with illegal border crosser crimes

Obama-era ‘Welcoming Cities’ program overlaps with illegal border crosser crimes

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A program launched in partnership with the Obama administration more than a decade ago that certifies localities to “improve immigrant inclusion” overlaps with crimes being...
Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as 'tone-deaf'

Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as ‘tone-deaf’

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square A renewed push to double H-1B visas is touted as a talent win, but critics warn it could reshape the tech market by driving down...
Afghans arrested by ICE released into the country by the Biden administration

Afghans arrested by ICE released into the country by the Biden administration

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Federal and local law enforcement officers have been arresting Afghan men since they were released into the country by the Biden administration in 2021. Key...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher School Board Facilities Committee

Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 The Beecher School District 200-U Facilities Committee met on Monday, November 24, 2025, to review capital improvement projects and maintenance...

Safety Upgrades Planned for Wilmington-Peotone Road; Gas Line Proposal Rejected

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works Committee approved a $1.9 million engineering contract for improvements to a dangerous stretch...
Officials: Stockton stands together after fatal shooting

Officials: Stockton stands together after fatal shooting

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In the days after the deadly Nov. 29 shooting in Stockton, the Northern California community is trying to pull together, local representatives told The Center...
IL strips explicit racial criteria from minority teacher scholarship program

IL strips explicit racial criteria from minority teacher scholarship program

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Rather than attempt to defend a longstanding state-funded scholarship program against claims in court that it intentionally discriminated against white applicants, the...
Illinois quick hits: Armed sex offender sentenced; most are family farms

Illinois quick hits: Armed sex offender sentenced; most are family farms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Armed sex offender sentenced A Southern Illinois man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after he admitted to distributing...
HHS: Pritzker 'eroded public trust' in public health

HHS: Pritzker ‘eroded public trust’ in public health

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker eroded public trust and is trying to reinvent public health. The...
U.S. Supreme Court to decide birthright citizenship case

U.S. Supreme Court to decide birthright citizenship case

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide a case challenging President Donald Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. On the first day of...