Applying Big Data to Vacants, and Other Steps Taken By Chicago’s Land Bank
By: Brady Dale
In the age of Big Data, these decisions are becoming less complicated. Last month, fellows with the University of Chicago’s Data Science for Social Good began working with the Chicago area’s newly born Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA). The aim is to create a tool that will make it easier to process data on foreclosures, real estate trends and the like to determine which properties are the best candidates for redevelopment. Think of it as a data-backed triage unit for vacant land… Read More
Attorney General Madigan Announces $70 Million to help rebuild Illinois Communities Devastated by Foreclosure Crisis
Press Release
“Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced $70 million to assist housing efforts across the state to help rebuild Illinois communities that have been devastated by the national foreclosure crisis. The funding provided by Madigan stems from her lead role in obtaining a historic $25 billion national settlement last year with the country’s five largest” Read More
Largest U.S. Land Bank promises to turn around blighted properties, increase single-family rentals
By: Fran Alarcon
“On January 16th of this year, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to establish the Cook County Land Bank Authority, an independent, quasi-governmental agency spearheaded by Commissioner Bridget Gainer (D-Chicago) aimed at reviving Cook County’s vacant properties.” Read More
Cook County Land Bank Gets Underway
By Dennis Rodkin
“Vacant foreclosed properties dot the map of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. So think of the new Cook County land bank as housing’s Georges Seurat; it’s trying to arrange all those individual dots into something new and better (much as the pointillist painter did with A Sunday on La Grand Jatte). According to Cook County Board President…” Read More
Foreclosure Crisis Is Far From Over in Chicago Area, Report Finds
By Ashlee Rezin
“Chicago has not reached the other side of the foreclosure crisis, a new report from the Woodstock Institute has revealed. But with new ordinances like the Cook County Land Bank Authority, the Windy City may be headed in the right direction. Last year, Chicago’s six county region saw the highest year-over-year growth in completed foreclosure auctions since the beginning of the foreclosure crisis in 2008, according to the Woodstock Institute report. Foreclosure auctions, which indicate the foreclosure process is finished, grew by 73.8 percent, from 20,281 auctions in 2011 to 35,244 auctions in 2012.” Read more
A Look At What The Cook County Land Bank Hopes To Accomplish
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