Chicago is the #1 housing market in the country for potential homebuyers, according to the real estate site Zillow. Chicago ranked highest out of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas when it comes to buyers and their negotiating power. Read more in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.

In other news:

Springfield area homes sales rose 5.7 percent in June. (State Journal-Register)

June home sales in Bloomington-Normal market up 20 percent. (WJBC)