Wilmette Stunner: Optima Locks In $60 Million For Downtown Luxe Rentals
Optima converted construction debt into a $60M Freddie Mac refinance for its 100‑unit Optima Verdana in Wilmette, clearing the way for an adjacent 128‑unit phase. The move reflects strong suburban demand for stabilized luxury rentals.
Chicago Reps Storm Capitol With Bold $25 Wage Gambit
Chicago representatives unveiled the Living Wage For All Act, a proposal to lift the federal minimum to $25 with a decade‑plus phase‑in and an end to subminimum wages. Sponsors say it’s about affordability; critics warn of costs to small businesses.












