Halloween is officially behind us, which means the pumpkins on every porch are about to become a problem. Lucky for us, New Lenox has a fix for that this weekend.
It’s a fun one this week. The Pope is apparently a New Lenox voter, and the babies at Silver Cross got dressed up for Halloween.
I also made a video on where I think mortgage rates are headed, and I’ll be honest, I’m not the optimist you might expect.
Here's what's inside:
🗳️ A very famous New Lenox voter
🦸 Tiny superheroes at the Silver Cross NICU
📺 Why I think rates are more likely to hit 9% than 5%
🎃 Pumpkin smashing, holiday shopping, and a potato bar
🏡 Frankfort vs. Tinley Park at $450K
🚪 Gas prices, jobs, and your weekend weather
LET'S GET INTO IT ↓
Local headlines this week
🗳️ Pope Leo Voted by Mail, and He’s Registered in New Lenox
The Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in the midterms, the first pope to vote in a U.S. election. He’s a Dolton native, and he’s reportedly registered at a New Lenox address through Will County.
🦸 Silver Cross NICU Babies Got Dressed Up for Halloween
The tiny patients at Silver Cross Hospital’s NICU suited up as Batman, the Hulk, a pirate, a lion, and a couple of pumpkins. The hospital says they’re fighting hard so they can spend next Halloween at home.
🪪 The Orland DMV Is Moving to Orland Hills
The temporary DMV at CTF Illinois closes Thursday, Nov. 5th. The new permanent spot opens Monday at 9291 159th St, next to Hallmark in the Walmart plaza. It’s appointment only, but plate stickers and disability placards are walk-in.
Why I Think Rates Hit 9% Before They Hit 5%.
If you’ve been checking mortgage rates every week hoping this is the week they drop, I made this one for you. I broke down the data on the channel, and I’ll be straight with you about what I see. Here’s what’s in it:
Rates are around 7.5%. I think they’re more likely to climb than fall back to 5%. I can’t predict rates, and neither can anyone else, so I mark where I’m guessing.
Oil near $100 a barrel, hot inflation, and a Fed hike are what’s pushing rates up right now.
Prices haven’t crashed out here. In Orland Park, about 1 in 4 homes cut their price, but 1 in 3 still sell over list.
85% of new listings this month are still sitting. Buyers have room to negotiate again.
Half of homeowners have a rate at 4% or lower. That’s why so few people are selling.
Waiting for 5% could cost you more than it saves. When rates drop, everyone comes back at once and the bidding wars come with them.
If the payment is comfortable today, I’d buy and refinance later. Just run your numbers at 8% before you tour a house.
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 one.
Smash pumpkins, eat potatoes, shop early
🛍️ Holiday Craft Show (Frankfort)
Start the holiday shopping early. The first 300 shoppers get a free tote bag, so get there when doors open.
📅 Saturday, Nov 7th, 9am
📍 140 Oak St, Frankfort
🎃 Pumpkin Smash (New Lenox)
Bring your leftover pumpkins and smash them in a bunch of fun ways. Everything gets composted after.
📅 Saturday, Nov 7th, 9am to noon
📍 New Lenox Village Commons, 101 Veterans Pkwy
🥔 Potato Bar Luncheon and Sale (New Lenox)
Huge baked potato with toppings, a drink, and dessert. There’s also a bake sale, craft sale, and Second Time Around sale.
Tickets are $12 adults, $10 kids, and proceeds support local and global missions.
📅 Saturday, Nov 7th, 10am to 2pm (lunch seatings at 11:15am and 12:30pm)
📍 United Methodist Church of New Lenox, 339 W Haven Ave
📍 14600 S California Ave, Posen
Featured Listing: Posen
Investors, this one’s turnkey. It’s a fully renovated all-brick duplex with two 1 bed/1 bath units, both vacant and ready to lease. Each unit has its own laundry and separate gas, electric, and water meters. New roof (2025), new tankless boilers, new electrical panels, new kitchens, and remodeled baths. Estimated payment is $1,879/mo.
📍 3748 W 54th St, Chicago
Featured Listing: Chicago
The seller is offering a 2/1 rate buydown with a full-price offer, which is the exact kind of move I talked about in the video this week. This is a fully remodeled 4 bed, 2 bath on a quiet street minutes from Midway, with a designer kitchen, custom baths, and new appliances. The big stuff is handled: 200-amp electrical, HVAC replaced in 2023, a new water heater in 2025, and Strohacker Park nearby.
See the full listing here
📍 886 Canongate Ln, New Lenox
Featured Listing: New Lenox
Skip the build wait. This 2023 home has 4 beds, 2.5 baths, a quartz kitchen with a gas range, a walk-in pantry, and custom built-ins throughout. Every bedroom has a walk-in closet, plus there’s an oversized loft, upstairs laundry, and a full basement roughed in for a bath. Out back is a 44x15 patio, all in Lincoln-Way schools.
See the full listing here
Thinking about making a move in 2027? Click here and send me a message!
$450K in Frankfort or $450K in Tinley Park?
I broke down the Chicago market on the channel this week. Rates are around 7.5%, and I think they’re more likely to climb than fall back to 5%. Buyers shop by the monthly payment right now, so where your $450K lands matters more than ever. And one thing I pointed out in the video: the southwest suburbs are not one market. Frankfort sits well above Tinley Park on price.
At $450K in Frankfort, you’re at the entry point. That gets you into one of the most in-demand towns out here, with a walkable downtown and a name that holds its value. The tradeoff is you’re shopping the lower end of the market, so expect to give up some space or updates.
At $450K in Tinley Park, you’re in the upper range. That’s more house for the same money, with I-80 and the Metra close by, downtown Tinley, and the amphitheater down the road. Same budget, a very different shopping list.
Neither one is wrong. It comes down to whether you want the address or the extra house. Nobody runs this comparison before they fall in love with a town. Now you have it.
👉 See what $450K looks like in Frankfort
👉 See what $450K looks like in Tinley Park
Thinking about making the move? Just send me a message, and I'll walk you through both sides based on what actually matters to you.
⛽ CHEAPEST GAS IN THE SOUTH 'BURBS!
Prices as of 11/01/26 (USA National Gas Station Price Heat Map)
📍Manhattan — ~$4.54 ⬆️ From Last Week
📍New Lenox — ~$4.66 ⬇️ From Last Week
📍Mokena — ~$4.69 ⬆️ From Last Week
📍Frankfort — ~$4.78 ⬇️ From Last Week
💼 LOCAL JOBS & VOLUNTEER PICKS
🌤️ WEEKEND WEATHER: FRANKFORT, IL
☁️ Friday: 52°/39° Mainly Cloudy, 40% rain
🌤️ Saturday: 50°/41° Mainly Sunny, then clouds
🌦️ Sunday: 50°/41° Partly Sunny, 60% rain
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of the Chicago 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]
