Cook County Land Bank Authority

We’re excited to welcome Jimmy Dover to the CCLBA Team as our newest Senior Property Acquisition Specialist!

Jimmy brings 10 years of experience as a certified residential appraiser, a background as a licensed general contractor, and a decade of running his own real estate brokerage — meaning he knows Cook County real estate inside and out.

Before coming to CCLBA, Jimmy served eight years in the United States Navy Reserve, where he was honorably discharged. We’re proud to have a veteran on our team who continues to serve his community in a new way.

Welcome, Jimmy!

Developers in the South Suburbs, we have an opportunity for you!

Join the Cook County Land Bank Authority for an open house in Olympia Fields. This 3.61-acre former medical office campus with B-3 Commercial Zoning could be your next project for $434,000. Whether you're envisioning retail, mixed-use, medical, or adaptive reuse, this high-traffic Lincoln Highway corridor property is ready for your vision. 🔑

📅 June 5th & 6th
🕙 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 2605 Lincoln Highway, Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Developers, investors, end-users, and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Visit cookcountylandbank.org to learn more.

Please say hello to Tanina “Nina” Rodriguez, the newest administrative assistant on the CCLBA team! 👋

Nina brings a wealth of experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments, including at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and as a legal secretary.

We’re excited to have her onboard as a key point of support for our team and office operations. Welcome, Nina!

13 Years of Impact! 2,500 completed property transformations in Cook County! 🏡

In Garfield Park developer Luis Castro, CEO of , didn’t build just one home. He’s transforming six vacant lots on the same block into new construction multi-family buildings, creating opportunities for families to become homeowners and neighbors. Three of the homeowners purchased their homes through CCLBA’s Purchase Assistance program, which stems from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s Equity Fund. Castro’s work on this block alone will generate up to $3.5 million in community wealth.

Together, we’re reclaiming vacant land, building generational wealth through homeownership, and revitalizing neighborhoods across Cook County.

Here’s to every family, every block, and every community who has been part of the journey to 2,500!

Board President , .walterburnett, , , , , , Homeownership

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Working with the Land Bank seminar, “Unlocking the Keys to Success,” focusing on vacant land and high-potential commercial properties! 🔑

The room was filled with nearly 250 developers, small business owners, and community members ready to invest in the future of Cook County and its residents.
We’re especially grateful to our developers and partners — , Commissioner Marlene Hopkins, Sheryl Stewart-Caldwell of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, Manny Flores of , of C3 Impact Fund, Chaston Montgomery of , and James A. Norris of — for helping make the conversation actionable and connecting attendees directly to valuable financing resources. Thanks also to our panelists for sharing their Land Bank experience.

Missed the seminar? Stay tuned for our next one in August and don’t forget to check out our available properties at the link in our bio.

New properties available for purchase in North Lawndale, Austin, Garfield Park, Englewood, Grand Crossing, and Auburn Gresham!

To see available parcels, visit https://bit.ly/4uOseiT and submit your offer by Thursday, May 21, 2026.

🔗 Check out our website for more available properties.

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Habitat for Humanity Chicago volunteers rolled up their sleeves in Austin, painting, flooring, cabinetry, landscaping on a new home. Best of all, they did this work alongside the first-time homeowners that will soon move in! 🏡

Eight once-vacant CCLBA lots are now becoming homes for Austin families through our partnership with By The Hand Club for Kids and Habitat for Humanity Chicago.