Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

March 31, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

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

Illinois roads, bridges lag behind rest of the nation

Illinois roads, bridges lag behind rest of the nation

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ roads and bridges continue to lag behind most of the country, ranking 37th overall in...
Bill would require boat, jet ski insurance in Illinois

Bill would require boat, jet ski insurance in Illinois

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill requiring anyone operating a powerful motorboat or personal watercraft to carry liability insurance passed...
Curran, GOP lawmakers seek to end home seizures over unpaid property taxes

Curran, GOP lawmakers seek to end home seizures over unpaid property taxes

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republican Senate Minority Leader John Curran is at the forefront in pushing legislation crafted to...
Illinois bill bars dangerous dog adoptions, forces behavior disclosures

Illinois bill bars dangerous dog adoptions, forces behavior disclosures

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois proposal would require shelters and rescues to register pet microchips in a national database...
Illinois Quick Hits: Anti-abortion rally going on in Springfield

Illinois Quick Hits: Anti-abortion rally going on in Springfield

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Opponents of abortion are rallying at the Illinois State Capitol. Illinois Right to Life, a group opposing abortion, said buses...
Litchfield Panthers Soccer Graphic

Chloe Law’s Hat Trick, Reid’s Shutout Propel Litchfield Soccer Past Roxana, 5-0

Senior Chloe Law delivered a dominant three-goal performance to secure a hat trick as the Litchfield varsity soccer team cruised to a 5-0 non-conference victory on the road against Roxana...
Litchfield Panthers Softball Graphic

Patient Approach and Strong Pitching Power Litchfield Past Lebanon 9-1

The Litchfield varsity baseball team used a combination of dominant pitching and extreme patience at the plate to secure a 9-1 non-conference road victory over Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon. For...
Litchfield Panthers Softball Graphic

Mielke Strikes Out 11, Litchfield Uses Late Rally to Defeat New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly 3-1

A dominant pitching performance by Alexis Mielke and a clutch sixth-inning rally propelled the Litchfield varsity softball team to a 3-1 home non-conference victory over New Berlin/Franklin/Waverly on Wednesday afternoon....
Illinois lawmakers push $20M grant for after‑school programs hit by fed cut

Illinois lawmakers push $20M grant for after‑school programs hit by fed cut

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee heard testimony on a pair of bills poised to...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois lottery player wins $536 million

Illinois quick hits: Illinois lottery player wins $536 million

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois lottery player wins $536 million An Illinois lottery player won $536 million in the Mega Millions jackpot. The winner, who chose to remain...
Illinois home prices surge, available units in short supply

Illinois home prices surge, available units in short supply

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With home prices across the state up by 49% since 2019, Illinois Policy Institute’s LyLena Estabine...
GOP candidate counters congressman's criticism on ethanol vote

GOP candidate counters congressman’s criticism on ethanol vote

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican challenging for the state’s 17th Congressional District is pushing back after Democratic Rep....
Lawmakers push bills to close loopholes, increase penalties for child sex offenders

Lawmakers push bills to close loopholes, increase penalties for child sex offenders

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state senator and former prosecutor says it is time to change Illinois law that allows people...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.4

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield City Council for March 5, 2026

Litchfield City Council Meeting | March 5, 2026 The Litchfield City Council met for its regular open session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at City Hall. Mayor Jacob Fleming called...
Safe Routes to School

Litchfield Commits $60,895 for Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Project on Tyler and State Streets

Litchfield City Council Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council authorized a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to construct new sidewalks...