Happy Thursday!
Monday's storms knocked out power for 214,000 across the area, full update below.
Also on the channel this week, Cook County has lost nearly 90,000 residents since 2020 and the fastest growing county in Illinois is one most people don't think about.
Here's what's inside:
⚡ 214,000 without power after Monday's severe weather
🚂 The Big Boy locomotive made another pass through the south suburbs
📺 Cook County lost 90K residents since 2020, here's where they went
🌸 Free clothing giveaway, flower festival, & Sunday concert this weekend
🏡 New Lenox under $500K worth a look
🔍 $550K in Glen Ellyn vs. $550K in Homer Glen
🚪 Gas prices, jobs, and your weekend weather
LET'S GET INTO IT ↓
Local headlines this week
⚡ 214,000 Without Power After Monday's Severe Weather
Monday's storms knocked out power across the Chicago area, Chicago Heights and Oak Forest among the hardest hit out south. ComEd expects 80% restored by Wednesday noon, most remaining by Friday.
🎬 A Disney TV Show Is Filming at Lincoln-Way North
An untitled Disney pilot is filming at Lincoln-Way North in Frankfort this month. Looking for nonspeaking background roles, 16+, no experience needed. Submit online if you're interested.
🚂 The Big Boy Locomotive Made Another Pass Through the South Suburbs
Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014 rolled through the south suburbs again last week on its way back across the country. Hundreds showed up in the heat to watch. Hard not to stop for that one.
🍦 Red Hat Society Brings Annual Ice Cream Social to St. Coletta's
Elaine Repa and the Red Hat Society returned to St. Coletta's for their annual summer ice cream social: homemade desserts, sundaes, and an afternoon of smiles. A tradition years in the making. Good stuff out south.
Cook County Lost 90K Residents Since 2020. Here’s Where They Went.
Chicago is growing backwards, and the fastest growing county in Illinois is one most people don't think about. I broke it down on the channel this week.
Here's what you need to know:
Three pressures drove the shift. Remote work jumped from 14% to 46% of Chicagoland workers since 2020. New construction is almost entirely in the outer suburbs. And homeowners with 2-3% mortgages aren't selling, keeping city inventory frozen
The outer ring is absorbing it all. Kendall County up 8-10% since 2020, fastest growing in Illinois. Will County added the most people of any collar county. Plainfield, New Lenox, and Mokena look like Kendall County 20 years ago
This isn't always a cheaper move. DuPage runs 15-20% above Cook. Nine-county median hit a record near $390K. Buyers are paying more to get something different, space, schools, new construction
Investors are following. Will County suburban multi-family sales up 550% year-over-year. Professional capital is betting the outer ring is a long-term destination
Four southwest suburbs worth knowing. Tinley Park for the entry point. Lemont for schools. Palos Heights for established neighborhoods. Homer Glen for large lots and Will County taxes
🎥 Watch the full breakdown here
New videos every week: market breakdowns, local development, what's actually moving in the suburbs.
Subscribe here so you don't miss the next one.
Free clothing giveaway, a flower festival, and a Sunday concert
👗 Free Clothing Giveaway (Joliet)
Hope United Methodist Church is hosting their annual free clothing giveaway Saturday morning. Open to everyone, come grab what you need.
📅 Sat, Aug 1st | 8:30 AM
📍 Hope United Methodist Church, 2506 Caton Farm Rd, Joliet
🌸 Alsip Nursery's Hydrangea & Hibiscus Festival (Frankfort)
4th annual summer plant festival at Alsip on LaGrange Road. Free seminars on hydrangea and hibiscus care, Blooming BINGO with plants as prizes, face painting, balloon artist, bubble zone, and sales all day.
Good one for the whole family.
📅 Sat, Aug 1st | 10 AM
📍 Alsip Home & Nursery, 20601 LaGrange Rd, Frankfort
🎸 Concerts on the Green: Wild Daisy (Frankfort)
Sunday evening at Breidert Green in Historic Downtown Frankfort. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic. Free admission.
📅 Sun, Aug 2nd | 6:30 PM
📍 Breidert Green Park, Frankfort
Featured Listing: New Lenox
Three beds, three full baths, finished basement, heated garage, and a big backyard under $500K. Fresh carpet, new appliances, freshly painted deck. Metra access and Old Plank Road Trail right there. Nothing to do but move in.
📍 760 Bon Terre Road, New Lenox
Thinking about making a move in 2026? Text or call me directly. 📞 708-612-0644
$550K in Glen Ellyn or $550K in Homer Glen?
I covered where people are actually moving on the channel this week. Cook County lost nearly 90,000 residents since 2020. They're not just chasing lower prices, they're chasing space and a different kind of life.
So what does the same $550,000 budget buy in two very different suburbs?
In Glen Ellyn, your money is paying for location. You’re closer to Chicago, with Metra access, a walkable downtown, established neighborhoods, and homes with more history and character. At this price, expect to compromise somewhere, whether that’s square footage, updates, or yard size.
In Homer Glen at $550K the story is different. Half-acre lots are standard here, the village's comprehensive plan protects that by design. Detached single-family home, real backyard, room to breathe, and a Will County tax structure that runs more favorable than Cook.
Same budget. Fundamentally different life.
👉 See what $550K looks like in Homer Glen
👉 See what $550K looks like in Glen Ellyn
Thinking about making the move? Reply to this email, and I'll walk you through both sides based on what actually matters to you.
⛽ CHEAPEST GAS IN THE SOUTH BURBS!
Prices as of 07/28/26 (Website)
📍New Lenox — ~$4.49 ⬆️ From Last Week
📍 Mokena — ~$4.49 ⬆️ From Last Week
📍 Frankfort — ~$4.59 ⬆️ From Last Week
📍 Manhattan — ~$4.29 ⬆️ From Last Week
💼 LOCAL JOBS & VOLUNTEER PICKS
🌤️ WEEKEND WEATHER: FRANKFORT, IL
Friday: 77°/71° — ⛅ Partly Cloudy — 💧Low — 💨 Light
Saturday: 83°/68° — ⛈️ Early T-Storms, then clearing — 💧51% — 💨 Light-Moderate
Sunday: 77°/67° — 🌤️ Partly Cloudy — 💧Low — 💨 Light
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of the South Suburbs Scoop.
Every Thursday, I'll be dropping this in your inbox.
Local news, what's going on this weekend, where the market's at, and a few things to make your week a little easier.
If there's something you want to see more of, just reply and let me know. This thing gets better when you tell me what matters to you.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you right back here next Thursday.
— John
📞 708-612-0644 | [email protected]
