Happy Thursday!

I hope your week’s been a good one. I found a few things happening around the South ’Burbs that are worth passing along, so let’s get right to it.

Here's what's inside:

LET'S GET INTO IT ↓

⛪ Pastor Charged With $2M Fraud Against Church Members

Federally charged after allegedly scamming 40+ church members through fake luxury rehab facility investments. Used the money for gambling and personal expenses. Ran 2020 to 2025.

🏛️ Two New Prisons Coming to Crest Hill on the Old Stateville Campus

Illinois just announced two new state prisons on the historic Stateville campus in Crest Hill: one men's facility and one women's. $805M-$935M total, completion by 2029. 

⚡ Downtown Frankfort Businesses Need Your Support After Power Outages

Severe weather on Wednesday knocked out power to Nautical Bowls, Senso, The Wine Thief, Kup A Joe, and others for a full day. Lost revenue, busy season. Which means this week is a good week to get downtown. Nautical Bowls is running a raffle; every bowl gets you an entry to win free bowls for a month.

🪲 A Flesh-Eating Fly Is Back in the U.S. (Why Illinois Pet Owners Should Know)

New World screwworm confirmed in Texas and New Mexico. Risk in Illinois is low, but vets are advising pet and livestock owners to watch for wounds that won't heal. Worth knowing if you've got animals.

For three decades, the land around the United Center has been surface parking. That's about to change, permanently.

I broke down the 1901 project on the channel this week. Here's what you need to know:

What it is: The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, Bulls and Blackhawks ownership, are privately funding a $7 billion mixed-use district at 1901 West Madison. 9,500 residential units, 660,000+ sq ft of office space, 25 acres of public parks, a 6,000-seat music hall, and a hotel. No public bailout. Capital's committed, permits are being pulled, and crews are on site.

Why it matters: The West Loop transformation is the preview reel. 10 years ago, Randolph Street smelled like refrigerant and loading docks. Today, you can't get a Saturday reservation. The 1901 project does for the Near West Side what Google and McDonald's did for Fulton Market.

What happens to prices? New supply doesn't automatically push prices down, it pulls in demand. History says transitioning neighborhoods see demand catch up with and exceed new supply when development quality is high. The window to watch is early 2030s, after phase one opens but before full residential supply arrives.

The one variable most buyers miss? Streets. The project is built around pedestrian paseos, an elevated 10-acre park designed by the firm behind New York's High Line, and retail designed to activate every day, not just game nights.

Phase one targets completion around 2028. Full build-out runs through 2040. The smart money is moving now.

🎥  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.

🎸 Centennial Park West Concert Series (Orland Park)

Free outdoor concert with three tribute acts back to back: Foreigner, Fleetwood Mac, and Heart. Bring a lawn chair, pack your own drinks. Beer and food available on site. 

Free admission and parking.

🛍️ Marley Community Church Flea Market & Antique Show (Mokena)

61st annual flea market in a shaded park with 70+ vendors, homemade pies, live music, kids' activities, and a White Elephant indoor room. Free admission and parking. 

Good Saturday morning out south. 

🎺 Frankfort Brass Band (Orland Park)

Free afternoon concert from one of the south suburbs' most beloved community bands, founded back in 1860. Kids parade at 2 PM, concert at 2:30. 

No registration required, all ages welcome. 

Thinking about making a move in 2026? Text or call me directly. 📞 708-612-0644

I covered the West Loop on the channel this week. One of the strongest real estate markets in Chicago. Homes trading mid-$400Ks to low $600Ks, and a $7 billion development about to reshape the entire surrounding area.

At $350K in the West Loop, you're looking at a studio or a tight one-bedroom. Great neighborhood, great walkability, and thousands of new units from the 1901 project entering your market over the next decade.

In Frankfort, $350K gets you into a real home. 

Three bedrooms, a yard, a garage, and a quiet street. Custom builds only, no cookie-cutter subdivisions allowed in Frankfort, full stop. Lincoln-Way East carries an exemplary state designation and ranks in the top 10% in Illinois.

Studio in one of Chicago's hottest zip codes or a house in one of the south suburbs' best towns. Same budget. Very different life.

Nobody's telling you to run that comparison before you fall in love with a West Loop listing. Now you have it.

👉 See what $350K looks like in Frankfort

👉 See what $350K looks like in the West Loop

Thinking about making the move? Reply to this email, and I'll walk you through both sides based on what actually matters to you.

Prices as of 06/15/26 (Website)

📍 New Lenox — ~$4.11 ⬇️ From Last Week 
📍 Mokena — ~$4.14  ⬇️ From Last Week 
📍 Frankfort — ~$4.39  ⬇️ From Last Week 
📍 Manhattan — ~$4.09 ⬇️ From Last Week

📍Frankfort Fall Festival Volunteers (Frankfort) - Details
📍Library Clerk (Tinley Park) - Details
📍Stocking Clerk (Lockport) - Details

Friday: 84°/63° — 🌤️ Mostly sunny — 💧Low — 💨 S 8–12mph
Saturday: 77°/59° — ☁️ Partly cloudy then sunny — 💧15% — 💨 NNE 6mph
Sunday: 81°/60° — 🌤️ Partly sunny — 💧25% — 💨 SSE 7–11mph

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]