The Home Front

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (above) By Don DeBat Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed “Protecting Renters Ordinance” (PRO) actually will push apartment rents higher, critics say. An estimated 54% of Chicago’s residents—some 600,000 families-are apartment renters, according to the City of Chicago. So, critics say Mayor Johnson, who is up for reelection next spring against at least a dozen opponents, is pushing his “PRO” Ordinance because he needs votes. Chicago currently has tw

By Don DeBat There’s a new Fed Sheriff in town, and analysts say home buyers’ hopes and dreams for lower mortgage rates in 2026 likely will remain in interest-rate jail. In his first Federal Open Market Committee meeting on June 17th, President Donald Trump’s newly appointed Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh made it clear there is a new game being played at the central bank. The Fed held the key federal-funds rate at a range of 3.50% to 3.75%. It was the fourth consecutive