👋 Home Prices Jump 30% + 20 Halloween Events

If it feels like homes have gotten a lot more expensive lately, the numbers back it up.

A recent study found the average Illinois home is now worth about $300,000, compared with roughly $230,000 in 2021. That’s an increase of about $70,700, or 30.5%, in just five years. Illinois ranked 7th in the country for the largest percentage increase in housing costs during that period.

And it’s not just home prices. The study estimates buyers now need to earn nearly $40,000 more per year to afford a typical Illinois home compared with five years ago, thanks in part to higher prices and mortgage rates. Pretty wild how much the housing market has changed in such a short time! (Link)

Come Hungry!
The foodie event of the year is tomorrow! Still need tickets for The Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce's Taste of the Town? Want to save $10? CLICK HERE for more information and to purchase them in advance! Come for the food and drinks (24 of your favorite Wheeling area restaurants, taverns, wineries and meeting spots) and stay for the amazing raffle prizes and live music. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday evening, October 28th at Chevy Chase Country Club.

*Group Discounts Available! Planning to come with friends? Ten or more people purchasing tickets as a group save even more money!

• Arlington Heights: The village is seeking nominations for its 2027 Hearts of Gold Awards, honoring residents, groups and businesses making a positive impact in the community. Nominations are due Nov. 4.

• Buffalo Grove: A proposed new Village Hall and Police Headquarters at 1100 Lake Cook Rd. is drawing attention over its reported $55 million renovation cost plus $6.2 million property purchase. A local resident is calling for a public hearing before the project moves forward.

• Crystal Lake: The City Council is moving forward with the purchase of 200 E. Congress Parkway, with plans to explore reusing the building for library, community gathering and Fire Rescue needs.

• Des Plaines: The city’s proposed $243.7 million 2027 budget includes funding for a new fire station, sewer improvements and downtown revitalization. The plan is about 6% higher than this year’s budget.

• Hoffman Estates: Public Works will host its Annual Open House on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2305 Pembroke Ave., featuring snow plow rides, live demonstrations, a touch-a-truck and a Pumpkin Smash composting event.

• Morton Grove: The Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce & Industry is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of supporting local businesses and the community.

• Palatine: Harper College has joined the third annual Feed the Need Food Drive, a statewide community college effort to stock campus food pantries. Donations are being collected through Nov. 30.

• Prospect Heights: Fire Chief Drew Smith is retiring after more than 45 years with the district, capping a career that began in 1981.

• Schaumburg: The village is offering free pumpkin composting Nov. 3-5 at 714 S. Plum Grove Rd. and 1000 W. Schaumburg Rd. Residents can drop off pumpkins after Halloween with decorations and other non-compostable materials removed.

• Skokie: The village administered about 1,200 free flu shots at community clinics this month and is continuing free walk-in flu shots every Wednesday from 4-6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

• Vernon Hills: The village recommends trick-or-treating from 3–7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, with earlier hours this year to take advantage of more daylight.

Buffalo Grove: AJ Flowers | Flower Shop (Link)

Crystal Lake: First Watch | Restaurant (Link)

Elgin: The Bottle Department | Bottle Shop & Tap Room (Link)

Elgin: Breakfast Urbano | Restaurant (Link)

Morton Grove: Fifth Third Bank (Link)

Wood Dale: Polish House Bar & Banquet | Restaurant (Link)

My wife and I were in the area Friday and finally stopped by The Red Barn Restaurant & Brewery after hearing so many recommendations from our readers.

We got to meet two of the owners, who were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is actually owned by 4 local families. The place is hard to miss since it actually looks like a big red barn, and inside it’s much larger than we expected, with multiple levels, a big first-floor bar and plenty of seating upstairs.

The menu is extensive, and so is the beer and whiskey selection. We tried the boneless wings, a homemade carnitas empanada made by one of the owners’ mothers, the Bourbon Glazed Burger, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with whipped potatoes and country gravy. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous, but the empanada was probably the standout for me.

I also sampled a couple of German beers recommended by our waiter Steve, who took great care of us, and we finished things off with the chocolate lava cake.

They also have live music on Fridays & Saturdays, The DayDrinkerZ band was setting up as we were wrapping up our meal.

Overall, the food was great, the service was top-notch and the atmosphere had that upbeat local community feel we love. If you’re in Mount Prospect or nearby, definitely give The Red Barn a try and support a great locally owned family restaurant! (Link)

Glass skin is the fall beauty goal: a complexion that looks smooth, plump and luminous. Pique’s Carrara Marine Collagen makes supporting that glow a delicious part of your morning routine.

After 90 days on Carrara, 83% reported smoother skin, 80% reported plumper skin and 86% reported greater skin satisfaction.

Each serving combines Type I marine collagen to support skin radiance with rare Type II collagen, sourced from wild Hokkaido salmon, to support elasticity. Together, they bring skin support into a daily ritual that feels like a treat.

Two scoops blend into morning matcha for a creamy latte, making consistency easy as fall schedules fill up. A warm cup, a quiet moment and nourishment from within become part of the same routine.

For anyone pursuing that luminous glass-skin look through sweater season, Carrara adds a beauty upgrade to a habit they already love.

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“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” - John D. Rockefeller

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