iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 29/09/2026

People are sick of this process 1. Make a committee with all relevant interest groups 2. Committee produces report 3. Report recommends pilot program 4. Pilot program needs appropriations 5. Multi year pilot produces report 6. Full rollout Just do the thing you were elected to do!

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I’ve never thought about residential energy transparency programs before. It seems like a good idea to provide renters w/ transparency about expected energy use/utility bills, but not if it raises costs or is poorly managed. Thoughts? (Webinar on subject tomo) www.mwalliance.org/events/bring...

mwalliance.org

Bringing Residential Energy Transparency Programs to the Midwest | Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Residential Energy Transparency Programs are mandatory policies or voluntary programs that provide a home buyer or renter an evaluation of a home's energy efficiency. This energy efficiency disclosure...

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Chicago is the moonrise capital of the world

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 25/09/2026

I didn’t attend climate week but: 1—US is falling way behind on electrification 2—even if US electrified, electricity generation isn’t decarbonizing fast enough 3—public incentives & land use policy are still vastly weighted toward inefficient cars & trucks 4—transit ridership remains in crisis

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Why doesn’t Molina-Gonzalez have the “notable controversy” icon? She chose not to keep Lawrence Reed detained after he assaulted a hospital social worker, despite 15 prior convictions (including arson). Reed later set a woman on fire on a Blue Line. Transit riders deserve better from our judges.

Injustice watch screenshot showing Teresa Molina Gonzalez without the icon for controversies

Candidate icons

• Former
prosecutor

• Former public
defender

-Notable
controversy

-Notable reversals

NOTABLE
Molina-Gonzalez received intense public criticism in 2025 after she granted pretrial release to a man who was charged with aggravated battery of a worker in a mental health facility. The man was reported to have a history of criminal arrests and mental illness. While on electronic monitoring, the man allegedly violated the conditions of his release and set a woman on fire with
gasoline while riding the CTA. She did not respond to requests for comment.

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Right before the White Sox rain delay was supposed to end yesterday, I went to find the Pope Leo seat. No joke—right as I touched it, the stadium announced $5 hot dogs for fans waiting out in the rain. I’m not a superstitious guy…but the White Sox magic is something else

Me standing in front of seat where pope Leo watched World Series

White Sox Jumbotron saying concessions are now $5 due to rain delay

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The only logical next step for the ISFA is to negotiate with the White Sox to redevelop the ocean of parking lots around the stadium. The best stadiums always have been—and always will be—stadiums surrounded by actual neighborhoods.

White Sox stadium surrounded by parking lots and highways

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Thomas Bamonte @thomasbamonte.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Analysis @rsday.bsky.social: Issuance of new housing permits in 2025: On a per capita basis, Chicago ranks 410 among all 534 jurisdictions with at least 100,000 residents. We’re dead last among the 21 jurisdictions with a population of more than a million. citythatworks.substack.com/p/were-in-a-...

citythatworks.substack.com

A list of places that permitted more housing than Chicago last year

We're in a dead heat with Omaha, Nebraska

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Jordan Grimes @cafedujord.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Great reminder that the ongoing and intensifying American affordability crisis cannot be solved without major land-use changes (ending sprawl, accelerating infill development at scale) that enable people to ditch their cars and access cheaper/more sustainable mobility modes

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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

You don’t hate ethanol enough

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Come to Musky Fest in Lakeview today - the last great street festival of the summer!

Street festival in front of neighborhood tavern with awesome facade and sunny skies

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, I decided to listen to President Bush’s state of the union address, delivered just nine days after the terrorist attacks. There are a lot of powerful moments in the speech. But this part stood out to me above the rest. Never forget.

Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat.
I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. (Applause.)

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Best editorial I’ve seen all year from the Chicago Tribune yesterday. It’s undeniable that local communities have historically been excluded from consequential decisions, but the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. We now live in an era defined by weaponized resistance to change.

editorial: Northwestern's Ryan Field, Amtrak, Emanuel, Quantum, O'Hare Flyer all beset by objectors

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Lance Oppenheim is getting tons of attention lately, and it’s well-deserved. But even before he was working with Nathan Fielder, his filmmaking & interviews have been phenomenal. 10 years ago today, high school me emailed him seeking videography advice. Here are his responses:

me Sep 9, 2016

...
Hello Lance!
My name is Joseph Miscimarra and
I just saw you OpDoc video for the Times on Vimeo- I loved it, and as a videographer for my high school's news website, I highly revere your direction and filmmaking. If you have time, I'd really appreciate if you could answer some questions:
1: What questions do you ask your subjects to prompt the responses that they give you? How do you manage to get them to act so candid and natural in front of the camera?
2: The B-roll footage was amazing and perfectly encapsulated the setting. Do you know what shots you're going to get before you arrive on the scene, or do you just take shots as you see fit?
3: Do you let the subjects determine the flow of the story? How much "on-the-spot" thinking do you use to let the angle develop?
I understand that you're probably super busy, but I really admire your work and would love to get some advice as an aspiring filmmaker. Thank you in advance!

Lance Oppenheim
Sep 11, 2016
to me

Hey Joseph!
Thanks so much for the kind words, man. These questions are very thoughtful and I'd be happy to answer them.
(1) I usually go into every interview without any notes and attempt to have as much of a
"natural" conversation with the interviewee as possible. With this in mind, I try to foster a relationship with those featured in the film before presenting them before a camera / other crew member. In the particular case of Long Term Parking, I arrived to the lot several days prior to shooting any footage and chatted with those featured in the film as much as they allowed me to.
(2) One of the great beauties about making docs is that you really have no idea what you're in for until you're there doing it. It's kinda like improvised comedy or painting in that way! For me at least, upon entering a scenario/location where I know b-roll will be needed, I do as quick and deep of a visual survey as I can, and pick those shots up when an opening arises. You go with the flow and see where it takes you.

(3) Completely on-the-spot! Especially in the case for Long Term Parking, I really had no clue what the folks living in the parking lot would be like until I met them. The same went for the direction of the film - I knew something existed at that lot, but I wasn't sure what it would be like or even what I wanted to say about it until several long months of editing the footage we had.
Appreciate you asking again and hopefully these are helpful! Feel free to shoot me along some of you work as well - would love to take a look.
All the Best,
Lance

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Matthew Lewis -- living in the era of cults and consequences @mateosfo.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

"Denver renters are seeing a brighter picture now as developers and managers cut rents and offer free-month subsidies to move a glut of units built during 2024 and 2025." Renters are *moving out of subsidized housing into market rate because the rent is cheaper because they built so much.*

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Someday I hope builders can put details like these back into big facades again

Building with 6 stories with bricks and many artistic details in the facade

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I’ll say it again: Every time Illinois state representatives choose not to expand multifamily housing rights, they admit they’re okay with Texas snatching our electoral votes. Local housing micromanagement is ensuring Republican dominance for years to come. Time for the state to crack down.

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

"The issue here pits those who think the development-friendly policies of the past in this area were a mistake that needs correction against a synagogue that wants to ensure its own future and reasonably argues that many of those who oppose the project actually live in high rises themselves."

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Wed, Sept 2, 2026, on Edgewater synagogue redevelopment (Scott Stantis/For the Chicago Tribune).

Caption reads: "Irony? What irony?!"

Editorial cartoon depicts a squat building labeled "Temple Emanuel Edgewater" among many grey highrises, in front of which two people hold a banner reading "No Highrises!".

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

just another Scene of Epic Proportions in Chicago

Wrigley field with rays of light shining out from sunset behind it

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Abby @transitsimp.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The stretch of Milwaukee Avenue between Damen and Division should honestly just be pedestrianized permanently

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 28/08/2026

Wrigley Field bike/stroller valet on a weekday day game

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Chicago summer + concrete beach + moonrise = GREAT EVENING!

Moonrise over Lake Michigan with many people looking on concrete beach

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

if you're in Edgewater and have time on Sunday (August 30, 12:45 PM) and want to support more housing, then please attend this rally

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Another moonrise will be visible at 7:41pm tonight in Chicago over Lake Michigan. Look for it!

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Follow this blog! Some of the best Chicago-centric content out there.

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Great Lakes in the summer: a magical place!

Picture of clear sky, calm blue water, and trees behind foreground of flowers and American flag

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Mackinac Island is just an unbelievable place. For goodness sake you need to get yourself over here

Many bikes on Mackinac island street at sunset

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Reminder that nobody is stopping you from sending articles to your elected officials and demanding that they fix things

Hi Paul and Ward 32 office,
Please read the article below. ("Chicago home prices make biggest jump in over 5 years")
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-
estate/residential/ccb-chicago-home-prices-july=
increase-20260820/
What is your reaction?
My reaction: I got married a week ago, and I have to confront the reality that we won't be able to stay in the neighborhood if we have kids. I love living in Lakeview, but my wife and I can't afford any family sized units nearby. We're looking for a 3 bed/2 bath condo and the cheapest ones are legitimately $700,000 for the lowest quality accommodations. That's not in our budget right now, and due to the low housing production pipeline I have no confidence that it'll remain in our budget in 5 years even if our salaries grow.
Please give me one good reason why we shouldn't upzone the entire ward to RT-4. We have a severe housing shortage, and I can't believe that some blocks in South Lakeview are still RS-3 (single family homes only).
Explain to me why we Ward 32 is restricting development in my neighborhood to single family homes when clearl there is a need for more

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Life update: just had the best weekend ever getting married to the love of my life. Wedding planning was exhausting and expensive but 100% worth it. Best party I'll ever go to! Now, time to enjoy a honeymoon road trip around Lake Michigan. Cheers!

Me and my WIFE walking down the aisle of a church after our wedding

Wide angle photo of church during wedding

Wide angle photo of me and my WIFE dancing in gazebo under greenhouse dome

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Highly recommend following @chicagotrans-plant.bsky.social - some of the best threads I’ve seen documenting the drama of public meetings regarding transportation/buildings/etc in Chicago

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Steven Lucy @slucy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I’ve been issued zero traffic violations in 20 years of driving and this guy somehow got five before getting a license (??) and then got his license and immediately killed someone? Are we even trying here?

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This week in Housing Theory of Everything news: People now leave those giant Home Depot skeletons out year-round. Mostly for fun, but there’s also another reason: “As home prices skyrocket, storage space becomes a luxury. Backyards hold ADUs. Large closets become bedrooms.”

Article: “giant skeletons stay out of storage closets”

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This reminds me of when I rented a Bolt for a work trip from the Enterprise in Lakeview, down the block from the L. I wasn’t the only customer who took the train there! Hot take but we could use more car rental services in dense, transit heavy neighborhoods. ZipCar should have more competitors!

Enterprise car rental near the train in Lakeview

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Taking my corns on a pilgrimage to see their role models

A hand with corns on a boat to see marina city

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

“Glenview trustees approved a resolution to join a gas leaf blower restriction feasibility study at a cost of $15,550. The study is being undertaken by several municipalities part of the 11-member Regional Leaf Blower Working Group.” Hear me out: what if we just banned gas leaf blowers?

chicagotribune.com

Quieter days coming? Glenview to study whether to join Northbrook, Evanston in curbing leaf blowers

Glenview will study whether to join Northbrook, Evanston and others in regulating gas-powered leaf blowers.

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Micheál Podgers @michealpodgers.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Survey closes TODAY (08/11/2026). Take and share!

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 11/08/2026

Surface winds over 110mph in Tinley Park! app.weatherfront.com

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Good reminder of how deceptively democratic Chicago’s “neighborhood association” system is. South Lakeview is a neighborhood of ~9,000 people. But if you want to build a new apartment building, you can be stopped by around 2 dozen NIMBYs at the South Lakeview Neighbors meeting.

44th Ward 2026 *
Community Meetings
West Lake View Neighbors
WLVN.net - 3553 N Southport Ave
Neighborhood Associations
1/12, 3/9, 5/11, 7/13, 9/14, 11/9 - 7 PM
Southport Neighbors Association
southportneighbors.com - Various Locations
SNA
1/29, 4/27, 7/27, 10/19 - 7 PM
Central Lake View Neighbors
WLVN
CLVN
SELVN
SLN
East Lake View Neighbors
- Various Locations
19th District CPD Beat Meetings
Beat 1923
Beat
1922
Beat 1924
Beat 1925
Beat 1934
Beat 1933
South East Lakeview Neighbors
southeastlakeviewneighbors.wildapricot.org
615 W Wellington - 7PM 1/12, 2/9, 3/9, 4/13, 5/11, 6/8, 7/13, 8/10, 9/14, 10/12, 11/9, 12/14
Beat 1922 - 6:30PM 2452 W Belmont 1/21, 2/18, 3/18, 4/15, 5/20, 6/17, 7/15, 8/19, 9/16, 10/21
Beat 1923 & 1924 - 6:30PM 850 W Addison 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 6/3, 7/1, 8/5, 9/2, 10/7
Beat 1925 - 6:30PM Gill Park 2/19, 3/19, 4/16, 5/21, 6/18, 7/16, 8/20, 9/17, 10/15, 11/19
Beat 1933 - 6:30PM 836 W Wellington 1/13, 2110, 3/10, 4/14, 5/12, 6/9, 7/14, 8/11, 9/8, 10/13
Beat 1934 - 6:30PM 615 W Wellington
2/11, 3/11, 4/22, 5/13, 6/10, 7/8, 8/12, 9/9, 10/14, 11/11
Alderman Bennett Lawson
(773) 525-6034 | Ward44@CityofChicago.org | 44thWard.org
44TH WARD

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I’m working on a breakdown of this story, but it was truly a wild ride… My neighborhood association voted 23-19 to recommend that the alderman approves this apartment proposal. If my roommates and I didn’t show up to vote, that construction site would have likely been an empty lot still!

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Big L for the CTA on a white sox game day Simply unacceptable (and unsafe) that riders must wait 20 minutes for a train that will inevitably be too full to fit everyone

95TH/DAN RYAN-BOUND

→ 95th/Dan Ryan
<11 min
→ 95th/Dan Ryan
r29 min
→ 95th/Dan Ryan
38 min
→ 95th/Dan Ryan
45 min
→ 95th/Dan Ryan
53 min
HOWARD-BOUND

→ Howard
<19 min
→ Howard
24 min
→ Howard
31 min
→ Howard
39 min
→ Howard
46 min

Many people waiting for train on red line platform

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Steven Lucy @slucy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

"Low density manufacturing to be replaced by almost 100 homes in popular lakefront neighborhood, reducing housing pressure and decreasing housing prices for everyone"

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

PSA: avoid new Divvy fines on the lakefront! Park your bike at a station, otherwise you’ll get fined for leaving it stranded (Thankfully they also opened new stations and boosted staffing 🙌🏻)

How the New Parking
Zone Works:
From the North Avenue
Beach Pedestrian Bridge to Navy Pier, riders must end their trip in an approved location.

Map showing grayed out area on lakefront

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

This is a thought-provoking read. When designing home retrofit initiatives, there are so many factors to consider: Should you target multifamily buildings (higher energy savings per project) or SFHs (higher overall potential energy savings)? And should we lean on carrots or sticks?

The project cost the co-op's members almost $5 million, or about $11,000 per unit. It's expected to cut the building's energy use by more than a third and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons each year.
"We were kind of lucky," says Corinne Irvin, the co-op board's vice president. The old boilers would have needed replacing eventually; BEPS just accelerated the process. The co-op had also just retired a mortgage, which freed up money and lightened the financial load.
The Cairo, however, was not so lucky. The building is saddled with quirky hardware - air conditioning units in each condo that also contain old-fashioned electric heaters.

As BEPS evolves, single-family homeowners escape scrutiny
While condo and co-op owners scramble to satisfy
BEPS, many are also angry that the owners of single-family homes don't have the same requirements.
"We have so many people in our neighborhood, just two people in a 4,000-square-foot house," says Brian Anderson, vice president of The Garfield Condominiums on Connecticut Avenue NW. Those homes use much more energy per person than typical condo units do. "We should be encouraging people to live in and build and maintain these (multi-family) structures rather than penalizing them."

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Reposted by Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸

Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Illinois is first in the nation for year-over-year rent increases.

July 2026 Rent Growth per Apartments.com

Illinois had the greatest year-over-year increase at 3.3%, and Arizona had the largest decrease at -2.2%.

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Reminder that your IL state senator would rather hand-deliver an electoral vote to Idaho than legalize starter homes in Peoria. I hope they’re proud of themselves in 2032 when 86 year old Donald J. Trump is elected to his fourth term as president!

2030 apportionment estimate from the NDRC

IL loses 2 electoral votes, CA loses 3 and NY loses 1

Texas gains 3, other red states like Idaho and Florida also gain

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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

“Texas built 620 homes per 100,000 people, four times the rate in Illinois. The Carolinas were even higher: 773 in North Carolina and 829 in South Carolina.” www.chicagobusiness.com/real-estate/...

Crain's Chicago Business
Illinois ranks second to last in U.S. on building new housing
11 hours ago
The Real Deal
Illinois Ranks Near Bottom in new
Home Builds
2 hours ago

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

"Agents said they don’t see the bidding wars ending soon, as the lack of new inventory remains an issue." www.wbez.org/housing/2026...

A graphic for "Bidding Wars: All-Cash Offers" in the style of Star Wars.

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