This was over the weekend, but Mr K and I had a lovely Saturday at Beaglefest in Dwight. It is an annual fundraiser for Midwest BREW (Beagle rescue organization). The weather was perfect, at least 3 rescues found forever homes, and lots of Beagles (and some non-Beagle siblings) ran around and made new friends. Always a great event for a great organization.
Harvests in this region have been good. I’m hearing reports of rain-impacted results to the North, but in Central Illinois, there’s a sigh of relief and, even excitement, over this year’s crop.
In my part of Illinois (Lakeview, Chicago) I recently learned that the president of my neighborhood association recently sold his house. He wanted to downsize, so he applied to a few apartments nearby. Three separate times, the owners opened up the applicants to *bid* with their highest monthly payments and term lengths. He missed out on each of those 3 apartments and instead signed a lease in a different neighborhood, and now he has to give up his post as president. He said he knew the rental market was bad, but not this bad.
Neighborhood associations claim to represent their communities and they get frequent visits from city/statewide elected officials or their staff members to get a pulse on the community. But there’s a clear disconnect between the people that run neighborhood associations and the people who actually live in the neighborhoods. This story is an example. Elected officials should keep this in mind when they claim they’re doing community engagement by visiting neighborhood association meetings.
@Joseph M I was involved in a Chicago neighborhood association An Alder used to ask us to approve things to which we said nope, we gotta go ask the community cause we want input beyond our membership even though we have a great communication vehicle for the entire neighborhood. Alder not happy. Alders can use neighborhood associations as an excuse that they communicated. Also some neighborhood associations navel gaze & don’t look for wider input.
The Lakeview, Southport Corridor and Roscoe Village is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.
One reason for this Illinois rams 49th out of 50 states issuing new housing permits.
Among cities with at least 1 million residents, Chicago ranks dead last in per capita new housing permits.
Active housing inventory in Chicago is down 29% to last year leaving Chicago with just 2.9 months of housing supply- one of the lowest levels in the country.
Higher mortgage rates have compelled many owners to stay in place, contributing to lower supply and bidding wars in high demand neighborhoods.
Very good points being made about neighborhood associations. As I understand it, mine was actually created by the alder (before I lived here), as a sort of cover to rubber-stamp his plans. He’s long gone, thankfully, and the association is careful not to pretend to speak for everyone in the neighborhood.
- Terry Salad - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 8:04 am:
Please tell me that Firefox will fix this.
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 9:24 am:
This was over the weekend, but Mr K and I had a lovely Saturday at Beaglefest in Dwight. It is an annual fundraiser for Midwest BREW (Beagle rescue organization). The weather was perfect, at least 3 rescues found forever homes, and lots of Beagles (and some non-Beagle siblings) ran around and made new friends. Always a great event for a great organization.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 10:01 am:
Harvests in this region have been good. I’m hearing reports of rain-impacted results to the North, but in Central Illinois, there’s a sigh of relief and, even excitement, over this year’s crop.
- froganon - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 10:15 am:
It’s raining steadily in northern Illinois. Everything is lush and green.
It’s a good day to be cozy inside and catch up.
- Joseph M - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 10:19 am:
In my part of Illinois (Lakeview, Chicago) I recently learned that the president of my neighborhood association recently sold his house. He wanted to downsize, so he applied to a few apartments nearby. Three separate times, the owners opened up the applicants to *bid* with their highest monthly payments and term lengths. He missed out on each of those 3 apartments and instead signed a lease in a different neighborhood, and now he has to give up his post as president. He said he knew the rental market was bad, but not this bad.
Neighborhood associations claim to represent their communities and they get frequent visits from city/statewide elected officials or their staff members to get a pulse on the community. But there’s a clear disconnect between the people that run neighborhood associations and the people who actually live in the neighborhoods. This story is an example. Elected officials should keep this in mind when they claim they’re doing community engagement by visiting neighborhood association meetings.
- Annon'in - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 11:37 am:
Surprised no one here praising SOX victory and likelihood of sweep today. All this mish mash about neighborhoods and rain.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 12:48 pm:
Annon’in, we’re still nervous. The Chicago sports fan in us runs deep.
- Hmmmm - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 12:57 pm:
@Joseph M
I live in Lakeview too and this is the first I’m hearing of it. Not surprised though. Bidding wars in rentals are out of control.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 1:09 pm:
@Joseph M I was involved in a Chicago neighborhood association An Alder used to ask us to approve things to which we said nope, we gotta go ask the community cause we want input beyond our membership even though we have a great communication vehicle for the entire neighborhood. Alder not happy. Alders can use neighborhood associations as an excuse that they communicated. Also some neighborhood associations navel gaze & don’t look for wider input.
- Paul Peterson - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
The Lakeview, Southport Corridor and Roscoe Village is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.
One reason for this Illinois rams 49th out of 50 states issuing new housing permits.
Among cities with at least 1 million residents, Chicago ranks dead last in per capita new housing permits.
Active housing inventory in Chicago is down 29% to last year leaving Chicago with just 2.9 months of housing supply- one of the lowest levels in the country.
Higher mortgage rates have compelled many owners to stay in place, contributing to lower supply and bidding wars in high demand neighborhoods.
https://southportcorridorchicago.com/2026/09/28/lakeviews-60657-ranks-among-the-hottest-zip-codes-in-america/
- Leslie K - Wednesday, Sep 30, 26 @ 3:11 pm:
Very good points being made about neighborhood associations. As I understand it, mine was actually created by the alder (before I lived here), as a sort of cover to rubber-stamp his plans. He’s long gone, thankfully, and the association is careful not to pretend to speak for everyone in the neighborhood.