(773) 763-6750

J. Chie, Esquire

Our law firm provides legal work for real estate closings for over 30 years… What distinguishes Chicago Commercial Appraisal Group from other appraisers is the level of thoroughness and details.

A. Raila, Senior Tax Analyst

Gary is a hands-on professional always willing to pick up the phone and work with you... His appraisal firm produces one of the best real estate forecasting reports in the state. I highly recommend his work and his opinion is highly recognized by governmental agencies.

J. Norris, Property Tax Attorney

As an attorney, we deal with many appraisal reports used in tax appraisals. Gary's work has proven successful for our clients and I do not hesitate recommending him for tax assessment appeal appraisals.

C. Noone, property owner

I needed an appraisal for settling an estate. Mr. Peterson was very professional, punctual and helpful with the process. I received my report ina timely manner. I would certainly recommend this company, as well as use their services in the future.

J. Tsiaousis

Gary is one of the top commercial appraisers in Chicago. Every time I have a client in need of a commercial appraiser I refer all work to him without hesitation.


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Europe is Closing Many Churches

The Church of England closes about 20 churches per year. Approximately 200 Danish churches have been deemed non-viable or under used. The Roman Catholic Church in Germany has shut about 515 churches in the past decade. In Europe, the Netherlands appears to be the hardest hit according to a January 3-4, 2015 Wall Street Journal article by Naftali Bendavid, with Roman Catholic leaders estimating that two-thirds of their 1,600 churches will be out of commission in a decade, while approximately 700 of the nation's Protestant churches are expected to close within four years. Europe has historically had lower church attendance than the United States and with an aging population, many European churches are no longer viable. In Germany and France only 10 or 11% of Christians report attending church services at least once a week and in Denmark it is only half that. Christianity has clearly suffered the most in Europe. Orthodox Judaism has held relatively steady. Islam has actually grown due to immigration. The Muslim population grew from 4.1% of the European population in 1990 to 6% in 2010. It is expected to grow to 8% or 58 million people by 2013 according to Washington's Pew Research Center. The "Nones" Percentage of population who say they are unaffiliated with any religion, 2010:Pew Research Center Data The United States traditionally has had greater religious participation than the more secular western European nations, but that may not always be the case. Some experts fear we may be following in their path. Approximately 5,000 new churches were added in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010. At the same time the total number of churchgoers fell by 3% according to Scott Thumma of Connecticut's Hartford Seminary. Mr. Thumma indicated that America's churchgoing population is aging. Unless these trends change, he says, "Within another 30 years the situation is the U.S. will be at least as bad as what is currently evident in Europe".