Encouraging signs seen in Southern Illinois housing market,” is the cover story in the latest Southern Business Journal, which talked to southern Illinois real estate professionals and found many are seeing an uptick in different areas of their market.

“There is a sense of optimism that we’re feeling,” Richard Davis, managing broker of Century 21 House of Realty in Carterville, told the publication. “We’re up over last year, and the market seems to be moving in the right direction.”

In other news:

Home sales in Rockford break three year record highWREX

Rockford Housing Market On The RiseWTVO

Chicago improves in eyes of real estate investorsCrain’s Chicago Business