Illinois’ slow foreclosure pace traps neighborhoods in blight

Thought the foreclosure crisis was over? In many states, it is. Not in Illinois.

During 2013, this state ranked No. 3 in foreclosures behind Florida and California, according to research firm RealtyTrac. The shame of it is that Illinois would be better off — as would its citizens yearning to buy empty homes — if the state completed more foreclosures. As is, a backlog of distressed and abandoned properties drags down neighborhoods that can least afford vacancies and blight…Please click here to read the Chicago Tribune editorial.