Stories of Impact

Cook County Land Bank Partners with Local Developer to Transform Vacant Building into Vibrant Dance Studio, Salon and Homes

If you go to the grey stone building at 7240 S. Wentworth Ave. today, you’ll see people leaping, spinning, and shaking off the stress of the day at En Pointe Dance Productions. Next to the studio, you’ll see people coming out of a beauty salon, looking and feeling their best after getting a haircut or a new style. It’s hard to believe that the building was on the brink of demolition just two years ago, before being rescued by the Cook County Land Bank Authority. The vacant, two-story building in Greater Grand Crossing had been tax delinquent for years and [...]

By | 2021-04-14T16:00:53+00:00 April 14th, 2021|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Cook County Land Bank Partners with Local Developer to Transform Vacant Building into Vibrant Dance Studio, Salon and Homes

Superhero Collective Ready to Give Away Home to Family Impacted by Cancer in Evergreen Park

Nonprofit and the Cook County Land Bank Authority turn abandoned property into family home March 22, 2021 (Chicago, Ill.)— Known for bringing smiles to children in the hospital with long-term health issues, the Superhero Collective will soon bring joy to a family impacted by a serious illness. With the help of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), the Superhero Collective is giving away a renovated, abandoned house in Evergreen Park, Ill. to the family of a child struggling with serious health problems. Throughout the year, Tim Brigham of the Superhero Collective dresses in movie-quality superhero costumes and cheers on [...]

By | 2021-03-31T13:14:01+00:00 March 31st, 2021|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Superhero Collective Ready to Give Away Home to Family Impacted by Cancer in Evergreen Park

Michael and Alissa Bolz of Lansing

Their rehab of a house next-door restored their property value Michael and Alissa Bolz of Lansing, Ill. used to live next door to a run-down, vacant property that was formerly owned by Michael’s grandfather. That property, vacant for two years, was eroding the value of their current home at the time—a home that was built by Michael’s grandfather in the late 1950s. So the Bolzes decided to do something about it.  In 2016, they decided they would try to purchase that home, fix it up and live in it. They submitted a bid for the house through the Cook County [...]

By | 2021-03-03T09:59:19+00:00 September 21st, 2020|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Michael and Alissa Bolz of Lansing

Keya Banks, Harvey Resident

Rebuilding her life in a house that is her “castle” Keya Banks said her family and friends thought she was off her rocker when she decided to purchase a vacant home in Harvey, a town that’s known for depressed home values. But when Keya saw her home, she had a vision. “When I saw this house, I said this is it. This is a castle for a queen,” said Banks, who had previously rented a condo in Oak Forest after going through a divorce. “I decided that I didn’t need to be defined by my zip code. The house itself [...]

By | 2020-09-22T10:38:56+00:00 September 21st, 2020|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Keya Banks, Harvey Resident

Jose Luis Lopez of Hermosa of Chicago

The Land Bank made homeownership near Lopez’s childhood neighborhood affordable Jose Luis Lopez wanted to live in the Hermosa neighborhood, where he was raised.  But the home prices are high, and that made it hard for him to get a bank loan. “Because I am self- employed, it’s complicated to get lending at a high price point,” said Lopez, who has his own home inspection business. Lopez learned about the Cook County Land Bank Authority’s Homebuyer Direct Program, which sells vacant homes to homebuyers at below-market rates, as long as they rehab the property and then live in the home. [...]

By | 2020-09-21T14:52:43+00:00 September 21st, 2020|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Jose Luis Lopez of Hermosa of Chicago

Tamara Crossley of Chicago Heights

A house that once sat vacant in Chicago Heights is now bustling with its activity from its new owner Tamara Crossley and her two teenage children. “I love the home,” she said. “I love the neighborhood. I encourage anyone to utilize the services of the Land Bank. I think it’s a great opportunity not only for people to become homeowners, but to be able to come into something where you’re not under water, where you do have equity in your home.” In August 2019, Tamara purchased the four-bedroom, two-bath home for $71,407 through the Land Bank’s Homebuyer Direct Program, which [...]

By | 2020-09-21T12:34:30+00:00 September 21st, 2020|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Tamara Crossley of Chicago Heights

Cook County Land Bank Authority Keeps Flower Business Thriving in its Roseland Home

“It’s a beautiful day to buy flowers, balloons and more.” That’s the greeting you’ll likely hear for the long run when Starnella Johnson, owner of Ambassador Floral, or one of her staff members answers your call. The future of the floral shop’s home, located at 11035 -47 S. Halsted St. in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, had become uncertain in 2018, as it had in times past. But all that changed when Elisha Sanders, acquisition specialist at the Cook County Land Bank Authority, approached Johnson with an offer she never imagined possible: a chance to become owner of the building that she [...]

By | 2020-09-22T10:34:32+00:00 September 21st, 2020|Stories of Impact|Comments Off on Cook County Land Bank Authority Keeps Flower Business Thriving in its Roseland Home
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