By Steven Ross Johnson "In an effort to reverse the problems that have cropped up in a number of communities over recent years as a result of the rise in vacant and abandoned properties, the Cook County Board voted last week to create a countywide land bank, a move Board Commissioner Bridget Gainer is hopeful will act as a first step towards economic..." Read More
By: Lisa Donovan What is being dubbed the nation’s largest landbank — an independent agency set up to acquire vacant land and foreclosed homes and commercial property in Chicago and the suburbs — moved one step closer to setting up shop Tuesday. The Cook County Board’s finance committee signed off on creating the new landbank – in hopes of cleaning up neighborhoods and returning abandoned property to the tax roles. Because the finance committee’s membership is identical to the full County Board, the measure is expected to sail through final approval during Wednesday’s meeting." Read More
By Dave Lee Mathews "Cook County officials succeeded Wednesday in establishing a land bank to address the thousands of vacant properties blighting the area. Now, they just need to pay for it. The nation's newest land bank, and now largest by geography, will not draw from county funds." Read More
By: Mary Ellen Podmolik “If approved Wednesday by the Cook County Board, the Cook County Land Bank would be the largest land bank in the nation, in terms of geography. Its creation is considered the next step in addressing the foreclosure crisis, and numerous similar efforts to form such organizations are under way around the country. Locally, the…” Read More
By Ted Cox "CHICAGO — The Cook County Board created one of the nation's largest land banks Wednesday to help neighborhoods better deal with vacant properties. The program was expected to be self-sustaining after being launched with $15 million in seed money to be raised through local foundations and grants, and it was designed to..." Read More
By John Presta “The Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to create the Cook County Land Bank Authority today, making it the most populous county in the United States to establish the innovative planning tool. Establishing the Cook County Land Bank Authority does not require State of Illinois action because…” Read More
By: Tony Sarabia “Last month, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer introduced legislation to create a Land Bank Authority, an agency tasked with acquiring vacant and abandoned properties throughout the region with hopes of returning them to productive use. Listen to the interview here.” Listen to the interview
By Judith Ruiz-Branch "Officials say they are one step closer to tackling Cook County’s lagging housing recovery. In a unanimous vote today, a preliminary committee passed legislation that aims to reduce foreclosures through a land bank. The land bank would reduce the number of vacant lots and buildings in the area and restore them so they can be used again..." Read More
