Localism: Illinois

Naperville Public Library #1 Again

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:26:25 -0500

Naperville Public Library for the 9th time in 8 years gets ranked #1 in the nation - for efficiency and busyness by the American Library Association.

The Naperville Library is comprised of three buildings to service the people of Naperville. The Nichols Library which was originally dedicated in 1898 and located in the heart of downtown Naperville on Washington St, is now located a few blocks west at 200 W Jefferson. Naper Blvd Library was the second location erected as a satellite to service the ever growing population is located at 2035 S Naper Blvd. Finally, the most recent addition the 95th St Library was added what seems like yesterday, in 2003. This building is located at 3015 Cedar Glade Drive and services the SW quadrant of Naperville. In addition to the three buildings the library conducts business through it's website naperville-lib.org which had over 1.3 million clicks over a year.

Just one more reason to LOVE Naperville

COST OF LIVING IN CHICAGO - It Will Likely Go Up in 2009!

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:57:09 -0500

Good Evening, Everyone!

If you live in a big city, or even a medium-sized town, this will be no shock at all to you -

In 2009, taxes, fees, and fares seem headed up across Chicago. Much of the increase seems driven by the fact the lagging economy has taken its toll on various tax revenues collected by the city.

Chicago Homeowners will be hit!

Last year's City of Chicago Budget included $86 Million in increased real estate taxes. These taxes will take effect for the 2008 tax year, not due until Fall, 2009. This year, many Chicago homeowners have suffered double-digit increases on their 2007 Property Tax Bills, due November 3rd, as these tax rates were calculated before the local real estate market started to weaken in late 2007.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley plans no additional real estate tax increases in the 2009 City of Chicago Budget. You'll see, from the projected Budget Shortfall we will soon discuss, it may be difficult for him to keep his word.

CTA El and Bus Riders will feel the sting as well.

Last Friday, Chicago Transit Authority Chairman Ron Huberman announced fare increases affecting all passengers - those who pay cash, riders who purchase a monthly Unlimited Rides pass, and regular riders who hold a CTA Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus fare debit card. The fare increase would take effect January, 2009, if approved.

Cash fares will increase to $2.25 for El and Bus Riders, slightly lower for those with transit debit cards. Further, the incentive bonus of 10% on those Chicago Card holders who place more than $20 in their fare account - a program geared to getting more riders to try the transit card option - is slated to be discontinued.

Despite a sales tax increased approved last March to fund CTA Service, a companion program to allow free rides for Senior Citizens and Disabled Veterans is costing more than anticipated - $35.8 Million, versus the original projection of $20 Million. Again, the recent economic downturn has resulted in lower sales tax proceeds to the CTA than anticipated. The fare increase, hopes Huberman, will close their budget gap.

Mayor Daley also proposes additional tax increases - on items such as concert and sports tickets and downtown parking, as well as Chicago Fire Department Ambulance Service.

These new proposals would cover roughly $65 Million of a projected $469 Million Budget Shortfall in Chicago over the next two years.

The remaining $404 Million City Budget Gap? The Mayor hopes to raise $150 Million by leasing Chicago Parking Meters, and another $40 Million from leasing Chicago Midway Airport, on the Southwest Side, to a private firm to operate.

Restructuring City of Chicago Debt would save an additional $60 Million. Also, using some of the proceeds from the Meter and Midway Airport Leasing Programs could save $13 Million, as city infrastructure improvements would come from these funds rather than the City Capital Budget.

The rest of the shortfall - another $141 Million? It's to be determined how that particular gap will be bridged.

The Mayor also proposes the layoff of as many as 1,080 city workers, and leaving 3,000 open city positions vacant instead of filling them.

See our post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com for more info, as well as links to Hal Dardick's story in yesterday's Chicago Tribune discussing Mayor Daley's planned 2009 Chicago Budget. Also, Jon Hilkevitch's story in Friday's Tribune for more info on the contemplated CTA Fare Increase,

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Highland Park Mortgage Broker: First Time Home Buyer, VA, FHA, Refinance, No Money Down

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:25:15 -0500

Ameristar Mortgage offers refinance and purchase options in Highland Park, Illinois on single family homes, duplexes, 2-4 unit properties, low and high rise condos, townhouse, 2nd homes, vacation properties, PUDS, and many others. Refinance or purchase now to get a lower rate, turn your adjustable into a fixed rate and get fast cash. Refinance Loans are a great way to consolidate debt into one easy monthly payment.

Our most popular Highland Park refinance and purchase programs offered by Ameristar Mortgage are listed below:

Conventional/Conforming Refinance and purchase in Highland Park:
97% Purchase
Rate and term refinance
Cash out refinance
Debt consolidation refinance

FHA Refinance and Purchase in Highland Park:
97% Purchase or 100% no money down purchase with gift funds
Rate and term FHA refinance
Cash out FHA refinance
Streamline FHA refinance (FHA to FHA)

VA Refinance and purchase in Highland Park:
100% no money down purchase
Rate and term VA refinance
Cash out VA refinance
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL) (VA to VA)

For additional refinance or purchase information visit out website at http://www.AmeristarMadison.com.

Ameristar Mortgage is your Highland Park, IL Mortgage Broker:

Dennis Hardy
Toll Free: (877) 240-5840 x23
dennis.hardy@ameristarmadison.com
www.AmeristarMadison.com

Visit my blog at http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/

Latest refinance blog entry
FHA Refinance Information
Latest lender paid mortgage insurance blog entry

http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/content/wisconsin-refinance-milwaukee-refinance-madison-refinance-cash-out-refinance/

http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/content/illinois-fha-refinance-wisconsin-fha-refinance-mortgage-loans/

http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/content/illinois-refinance-wisconsin-refinance-chicago-refinance-milwaukee-refinance-madison-refinance-cash-out-100/

http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/content/wisconsin-va-mortgage-loans-illinois-va-home-loans/

http://www.ameristarmadison.com/blog/content/illinois-refinance-mortgage-home-loans-chicago-refinance-illinois-cash-out-refinance-chicago-cash-out-refinance-to-100/

FHA Loans

First Time Home Buyer

No Money Down

Refinance

VA Loans

VA Refinance IRRRL Loans in Illinois and Wisconsin- Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison

http://activerain.com/blogsview/736009/Streamwood-Mortgage-Broker-FHA

USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Loans in Illinois and Wisconsin- No Money Down

Government Loans including FHA, VA and Rural Housing for Illinois Residents including Chicago

First Time Home Buyer Loans in Chicago, Illinois- FHA, VA and Conventional

Highland Park, Illinois: VA, FHA, Refinance, jumbo loans, cash out FHA refinance, FHA no money down no down payment mortgage

Pay off your mortgage early Schaumburg,Chicago,Bartlett,Elgin,Hoffman Estates,Hanover Park, Roselle,Bloomingdale

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:26:29 -0500

H.E.A.P. "Home equity acceleration plan" by Robb Soria 630-289-9495 ; soriarobblion@aol.com

September 25, 2008 by robblion

HEAP is a plan that can help you pay off your mortgage 10,15+ years sooner..all without refinancing or using bi-weekly commitments..ie, KEEP YOUR BUDGET THE SAME EACH MONTH ! Robb is the northwest suburbs of Chicago but can assist you anywhere ! Just call or e-mail him !

630-289-9495 or e-mail ; soriarobblion@aol.com

www.heaplan.com/getridofyourmortgage

Tags: financial serives, financial services, get rid of your mortgage, il, life insurance planning, pay off debt bartlett, pay off debt Chicago, pay off debt elgin, Pay off debt Hanover Park, pay off debt hoffman estates, pay off debt roselle, pay off debt schaumburg, pay off mortgage early bartlett, pay off mortgage early chicago, pay off mortgage early elgin, pay off mortgage early schaumburg, pay off mortgage early streamwood, paying off your mortgage, retirement planning retirement planners tax deductible, www.whoshelpingconsumers..com/default.aspx?ai=226272
Posted in Uncategorized | Edit | No Comments »

Fighting Foreclosure?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:45:11 -0500

Hey Chicago, if you are late in your mortgage payments and you are receiving calls and notices from your lender or their representatives ..... THEN YOU NEED TO CREATE A MORTGAGE WORKOUT BOOK.

What's that? This is where you need to put everything that you receive, record every phone conversation with your lender's collection or loss mitigation department representative.

This is what you need to purchase:

Three Ring Binder that is sturdy
8 Pocket dividers - Pockets are used to hold any paperwork that you receive
Some plastic Sheet Protection Pages
Notebook paper

Depending upon whether you have one or two lenders, make this notebook work for you.

How? When you get a call from a lender, then write the name of that person who called you and ask for them to repeat it twice so you have it, if they have an id# and put that down, their phone number, the date and time of the call and what the conversation was about.

You also want to write down what you are supposed to do or any "action" that was discussed during this phone conversation. Make sure that the "action" list can be from either the lender or you.

KEEP TRACK!

Take your papers and organize them according to lender and according to dates that you received them. Have all your insurance information in this book, along with leases (if you are an investment property), and property tax information. Water, gas and electric bills are critical as well.

When you receive a notice of collection - put it in your book of things to do.

If you don't have a calendar to keep track of your dates that you have commitments to financially or verbally, then go to Microsoft Office and download calendars that will work for you.

This is what you need to do in order to keep track of who has called you, who you need to call on what dates, etc. It's a way to help yourself and learn to fight to keep your property.

Need more ideas or help? Send me an email.