Julie Chesne and Chris Chesne of JDC Group at Compass in Chicago

About JDC Group
Chicago Real Estate Specialists Since 1996

A husband-and-wife team at COMPASS, working Chicago's North Side and the North Shore since 1996.

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ESTABLISHED 1996 • CHICAGO, IL

Our Story

JDC Group is a Chicago real estate team at COMPASS that has worked the city's North Side since 1996, led by Julie Chesne, a Certified Residential Specialist and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist who holds nine industry designations, three of them focused specifically on later-life moves and senior transitions.

The team started in 1996 and has spent the three decades since in the same set of neighborhoods, which is unusual in a business where agents follow the market. That decision is the reason the practice looks the way it does. Julie and Chris Chesne have sold the same blocks long enough to know which vintage courtyard buildings have funded their reserves and which have not, how a Wrigleyville street trades differently on the game-day side of Clark, and which side of a boundary line feeds which school. Over those decades the team has worked with investors, sellers, luxury buyers, and first-time buyers across the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Graceland West, the Loop, the South Loop, Edgebrook, Sauganash, and the North Shore suburbs.

What has changed is the emphasis. Alongside the general practice, a growing share of the team's work now involves clients managing a later-life move: a downsize after forty years in the same house, the sale of a parent's longtime home, an estate with several stakeholders, or a move closer to family. Julie holds both the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and Certified Senior Advisor designations and is a member of COMPASS Plus, the COMPASS division launched specifically to serve older adults and their families. Those three things together are rare in Chicago, and they mean the work is done with the patience and the coordination that these transactions actually require, alongside financial advisors, attorneys, and family members.

The way the team describes the job has not changed since 1996. Provide excellence, keep in regular contact, and show genuine interest in the people on the other side of the table. Most of what follows on this page is detail supporting that, and the twelve neighborhood guides elsewhere on this site are the practical demonstration of it. If you are weighing a move anywhere on the North Side, whether that is a first condominium or the sale of a family home of fifty years, Julie and Chris would welcome the conversation.

1996
Year Established in Chicago
30
Years in the Same Set of Neighborhoods
9
Advanced Industry Designations
12
Neighborhood Guides on This Site
THE JDC STANDARD

Why Clients Choose JDC Group

PILLAR 01

Thirty Years in the Same Neighborhoods

JDC Group has worked Chicago's North Side since 1996 without chasing the market elsewhere. That length of time in one set of neighborhoods is what produces block-level knowledge rather than city-level knowledge, and it is why the team can tell you how two apparently similar buildings on the same street differ on reserves, assessments, or school boundary.

PILLAR 02

Nine Industry Designations, Three of Them Senior-Focused

Julie Chesne holds nine real estate designations: Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Graduate REALTOR Institute, Ninja Agent, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Certified Senior Advisor, and Certified Distressed Property Expert. Three of those relate directly to older clients and later-life moves, which is the team's primary specialism.

PILLAR 03

A Specialism in Later-Life Moves

Downsizing after decades in one house, selling a parent's longtime home, or settling an estate with several stakeholders are not ordinary transactions and they should not be handled like ordinary transactions. Julie holds both the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and Certified Senior Advisor designations and is a member of COMPASS Plus, the COMPASS division built for exactly this work, which includes coordinating with attorneys, financial advisors, and family members.

PILLAR 04

An Office Inside the Market

The team works from 2350 North Lincoln Avenue, which is in Lincoln Park rather than downtown. That matters practically: the team is walking the same blocks it sells, and for clients in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, and North Center a meeting is a short trip rather than a trek into the Loop.

PILLAR 05

Twelve Neighborhood Guides, Not a Listing Feed

This site carries detailed guides to twelve North Side neighborhoods covering housing stock, sub-area differences, historic district rules, school boundaries, and how each local market actually behaves. They exist because those are the questions clients ask before they ask about listings, and because a team that has worked one area for thirty years should be able to answer them in writing.

ACCREDITATION & EXPERTISE

Credentials and Recognition

★ Top Producer
RECOGNITION

Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer

JDC Group has been recognized as a Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer.

C Chicago Agent
RECOGNITION

Chicago Agent Magazine

JDC Group has been featured in Chicago Agent Magazine.

Certified Residential Specialist CRS  designation badge
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

The designation awarded by the Residential Real Estate Council to agents meeting production and education requirements.

◆ CLHMS Luxury
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS)

Awarded by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.

✓ ABR® Buyer
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)

Awarded by the National Association of Realtors for specialized buyer representation training.

⚖ RENE Negotiation
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE)

Awarded by the National Association of Realtors.

🏛 GRI Institute
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI)

Awarded on completion of the National Association of Realtors education programme.

Seniors Real Estate Specialist SRES designation badge
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Awarded by the National Association of Realtors for training in the needs of clients aged fifty and over.

Certified Senior Advisor CSA designation badge
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)

Awarded by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors after training in the financial, health, and social factors affecting older adults.

🛡 CDPE Expert
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE)

Covering short sales, foreclosures, and distressed transactions.

⚡ Ninja Selling
DESIGNATIONS HELD

Ninja Agent

The certification awarded on completion of Ninja Selling training.

⚖ State of Illinois
LICENSURE

Licensed Real Estate Broker

Licensed real estate broker in the State of Illinois.

LEADERSHIP

Meet The Team

Two agents, thirty years in the same neighborhoods, and one office on North Lincoln Avenue.

Compass Real Estate

Powered by COMPASS

JDC Group practices at COMPASS, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume. COMPASS recorded $262.2 billion in sales volume across 245,173 transactions in 2025 and was named the number one brokerage in the country by sales volume for the fifth consecutive year in the 2026 RealTrends Verified rankings. In January 2026 COMPASS completed its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate, bringing Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's International Realty under the same parent company, and the wider COMPASS network includes Christie's International Real Estate and its affiliates across more than fifty countries.

What that scale gives a JDC Group client is practical rather than abstract. COMPASS Concierge fronts the cost of pre-sale work such as painting, staging, and repairs, with nothing owed until the home sells. COMPASS Private Exclusives and COMPASS Coming Soon allow a property to be marketed off-market or pre-market, which matters in the tightly held North Side pockets where a seller may want to test pricing before going live. And the national agent network handles referrals in both directions for clients moving into or out of Chicago. Julie Chesne is also a member of COMPASS Plus, the COMPASS division launched to serve older adults and their families, which brings a national framework to the later-life transitions that make up a growing share of the team's work.

What Our Clients Say

"

Working with Julie and Chris is a great experience. They are extremely professional, patient and work hard to ensure you find what you're looking for! They are incredibly knowledgeable about the industry and will hold your hand throughout the entire buying/selling process. I highly recommend reaching out to them and working with them for your next sale/purchase.

Kira

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We could not have had a better experience with Julie and the team! Julie was so thoughtful about managing our out-of-state move and the additional logistics that were involved. She helped us find a great spot. Thank you!

Rekha

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Choosing Julie as my real estate agent was one of the best decisions I've ever made. From our very first interaction, she provided truly exceptional "white glove" service that completely blew me away. She was not only incredibly attentive to my specific requests but also proactively sent me detailed, comprehensive information about homes that perfectly matched what I was looking for. Her flexibility with scheduling viewings was a huge help, as she always made sure we could see properties at times that worked best for me. The entire process was seamless, and her professionalism and dedication made me feel completely taken care of. Thanks to her outstanding guidance and support, I didn't just purchase one home with her—I've purchased multiple properties and plan to keep her as my exclusive agent for all my future real estate needs. If you're looking for an agent who is knowledgeable, responsive, and truly goes the extra mile, you won't find anyone better than Julie.

Bryant

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"

Julie found me my condo, she stuck with me for months. She sold my mothers 2 flat and was awesome, got us over list price, I think she is awesome

Anita

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"

So happy to have found Julie! We were so lucky to be matched with Julie for our home-search. Julie is super communicative, savvy, and pleasant. We were amazed at how she always seemed to make herself available to us. Our home search was a long one due to being in a very tough market for buyers and she never felt distant, was always checking in with us, and her encouragement kept us going at times. When we got a contract she kept us on track with all the various tasks and timelines. I remember being impressed early in our working with her at how quickly she was able to grasp the type of home that we were interested in as well. Julie and Chris were our anchors through what, at times, was a trying process. You will be in good hands with them!

Kearney

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"

Julie helped me buy my first home. When I started looking, I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted. Julie was very patient with me and showed me many different places until I figured out was most important to me. I would definitely recommend her.

Brian

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"

Hands down, Julie and Chris are the absolute best realtors in town! From the very beginning, their caring nature and unwavering dedication to their clients' best interests were immediately apparent. I am incredibly grateful that they represented me and expertly guided me through every single step of the property buying process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. Their professionalism, knowledge, and genuine concern truly set them apart. Because of their outstanding service and the wonderful relationship we built, they have not only become my realtors but also cherished friends for life.

Daniel

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"

I’ve used Julie Chesne as my realtor for over ten years! I wouldn’t dream of using anyone else. When Julie says she wants to be your realtor for life, she means it! Beyond satisfied with my experiences with her as well as her team! She will walk you through the whole process and make it as stress free as possible. Go for it! You won’t be disappointed!

Joann

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"

JDC Group is amazing! As a first time home buyer, I had a lot of questions, but Julie was able to help me along the way. My home buying experience was lengthy, but Julie was there to guide me. I truly appreciate their support!

Edwin

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"

JDC Group was our realtor when we purchased our condo in the South Loop and we were very pleased with their service - so pleased that we asked them to help sell the condo when we were ready to move on eleven years later. What a great experience! With Julie's help we used the COMPASS Concierge service to handle the floor refinishing, painting, and staging with no out of pocket expense. Thanks to Julie's expertise and advice our condo sold in less than two months and we got a great price!

Mac

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"

Julie and Chris were great to work with. We have used their services twice now, once to sell and once to buy, and both times we were happy with the results.They are knowledgeable, experienced and very professional. They were able to get us early viewings at a number of homes and this ultimately helped us find the right place for us, and get our offer in first to secure the deal. They are also incredibly warm, friendly and good people. We would recommend them to anyone.

Allison

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"

Julie Chesne is amazing. She patiently helped me look for a condo in 2015; I closed in 2016. A decade later, I’ve moved across the country, rented out my condo as an income property, and later sold it, and Julie is still in lockstep with me, advising, overseeing, advocating, fighting, and making sure I get the absolute best deal I can every step of the way. Truly the best realtor I could have asked for.

Lena

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"

Thanks to Julie and her team my house sold within a couple of weeks above the asking price. They made the entire process manageable especially since I was moving out of state. I would highly recommend them to anyone either buying or selling a home, you'll never find more committed talented people that really have their clients best interests at heart first and foremost, it's wonderful working with them. Thanks Julie and your team for everything you did for me.

Annamarie

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"

We couldn't have asked for a better realtor than Chris. As out of state buyers, he was patient and attentive to our schedules and requirements. We really got the sense that finding the right building for us was more important to him than a sale, and we appreciated his obvious shared love of architecture and home details. The professionals he put us in touch with in order to complete our purchase were impeccable, and we wouldn't hesitate to hire any of them again. Chris made an incredibly stressful process bearable, and we are delighted with our new Chicago home. We would work with him again in a heartbeat.

Colm

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"

Julie and her team went above and beyond to get us a new home in Chicago. Before, during and after we closed, they were absolutely fantastic. Would use them again in a heartbeat.

Maggie

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"

The process was painless and so straightforward with her, and she showed genuine concern for all the details of the purchase. I couldn't be happier nor more confident in recommending Julie to anyone and everyone. She made home-buying enjoyable!

Sandy

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"

She and her team handled every detail. Our sale and closing happened in a month (buyers were pre-MLS listing) and I was trying to coordinate a cross country move at the same time. Julie made it happen, we met all deadlines and she also dealt with all the inevitable bumps in the road that come up. I most certainly would call Julie again and recommend her services if you want to sell fast, smoothly and for top dollar! Verified by RateMyAgent

Silvia

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"

She is very helpful and reliable. She is very experienced and professional and could come up with suggestions on every corner of the home purchasing and selling process. We'd love to recommend Julie to our friends in the future.

Uptown, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Julie was very knowledgeable throughout the entire process and always made herself available to answer any questions my fiancé and I had. And as first time home-buyers, we had a lot of questions and concerns! We are going to recommend Julie to anyone we know looking for a home.

Rogers Park, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Julie was great, we have a very hectic schedule and were looking at all kinds of homes especially condos, three flats, really no idea what we wanted. Julie was extremely patient, and helped us find the perfect home.

Rogers Park, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Julie was a delight to work with while buying our home. She is knowable about the market, very responsive and personable. We would highly recommend her to any friends looking to buy or sell a home.

Edgebrook, Chicago, IL Client

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"

I've worked with Julie on two home purchases and one sale in Chicago now, and each went better than I could have anticipated due to Julie's involvement. She was always very upfront and realistic, but worked hard to get me the best deal I could on either side of the buying/selling process.

Tri-Taylor, Chicago, IL

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"

We purchased our first home with Julie this past summer. Was a great experience...she is a true professional. She was very attentive throughout the entire process and did a great job facilitating the negotiations. Would recommend her to anyone.

South Old Irving Park, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Absolutely the best agent we've ever worked with and an all around great person.

Portage Park, Chicago, IL Client

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Julie is the absolute best! We have used her to both buy and sell our home. In both transactions she was knowledgeable, professional, personable, and a realist. I wouldn't work with anyone else in the Chicago market.

Edgewater, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Julie is a savvy real estate professional who is also down to earth and easy to work with. She was always available to help with my many questions and issues from listing through closing. I was extremely pleased with the above-asking price offer.

Chicago, IL Client

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We had a wonderful experience with Julie as first time home buyers, and again, as sellers! She was incredibly knowledgeable about different neighborhoods in Chicago and patient with our need to see a lot of properties. She is extremely knowledgeable and attentive!

Edgewater, Chicago, IL Client

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"

Julie made our first home buying process so easy. She answered every big and small question we had, and always responded with expertise and patience. I loved working with her and would recommend her to anyone!

Anna and Nick – Recent Buyers

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"

Above and beyond in every way! Julie was AMAZING. Every step of the way she was there for us. It was obvious her goal was not about getting us into something quick, rather making sure the place we found was right for us. We changed our mind on almost every aspect of the house from area to price point and she was there for us making adjustments along the way to make sure we loved our new place. Verified by RateMyAgent

Topher | Recent Buyer

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"

Julie is the consummate professional, who goes above and beyond to ensure her clients not only find the right property, but that they do not overpay for it. Julie has been my real estate agent on multiple transactions now, and she is wonderful. I would recommend her to anyone for both purchases and listings.

Chicago, IL Client

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"

As a first time condo buyer, Chris could not have been any more helpful. Right from the beginning he was extremely attentive to my individual home buying situation. When I was looking at places, he was always there. He gave me tips about home buying that I was unaware of due to my lack of experience. He was very personable which made the entire process much more enjoyable for myself. He was thorough and he walked me through the entire process from beginning to end. I was nervous about buying a home and he made me extremely comfortable and well versed in every aspect from looking for a condo to insuring, to financing. He also gave me great recommendations for an inspector, lawyer, and a mortgage lender. Chris was great to work with and I am more than comfortable in calling a friend. I would recommend him to anyone. Great agent and an even better person.

Happy client

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"

We have been looking to buy a home for a very long time. Chris was extremely helpful, kind, and professional. We highly recommend his services to friends and family who are looking to buy. I wish I could have given him an "11" he was that good. Thanks Chris!

Happy client

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"

Chris is absolutely amazing! Quite honestly, a 10 doesn't even begin to accurately rate the level of service that Chris provides - if I could give him a 100 I would. As a first time home buyer, not knowing anything about the process, Chris was always available and patiently happy to answer any question that I had. He definitely looks out for his clients and wants what's best for them. I would recommend Chris to anyone and everyone!

Happy client

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"

Buying a place for the first time is one of the most stressful things you will ever go through, so it is important to have someone experienced to guide you. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire process. We were first-time buyers, so he made sure we understood some of the things to look for during the tours, as well as what to ask for during the offer phase. He made himself available at all times for our myriad of questions and meltdowns, and was never pushy. We got a FANTASTIC deal, and we absolutely love our new place. Thanks Chris!!!

Happy client

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"

Chris was absolutely wonderful! I have already recommended him to others. We spent a significant amount of time together, searching for our perfect space. He was patient and FUNNY! Additionally, Chris is very knowledgable about building structure and things to look for and avoid. Chris recommended our mortgage broker as well as our inspector and they were both top notch! We would not have gotten this highly sought after property if it was not for him. Chris ROCKS!

Happy client

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With JDC Group

Call (773) 807-8580 →
01

Three things, and all of them are checkable. The team has worked the same North Side neighborhoods since 1996 rather than following the market around the city, which is what produces block-level knowledge instead of general knowledge. Julie Chesne holds nine industry designations, three of which relate specifically to older clients and later-life moves, and she is a member of COMPASS Plus, the COMPASS division built for that work. And the team publishes detailed guides to twelve Chicago neighborhoods on this site covering housing stock, sub-area differences, historic district rules, and how each local market actually behaves, which is a standing demonstration of the expertise rather than a claim about it.

02

Yes. Alongside general buyer and seller representation, the team's primary specialism is later-life transitions: downsizing after decades in one home, selling a parent's longtime property, coordinating an estate sale with several stakeholders, or moving closer to family. Julie Chesne holds both the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and Certified Senior Advisor designations and is a member of COMPASS Plus. In practice that means working at the pace the client needs and coordinating with attorneys, financial advisors, and family members rather than treating the sale as a standalone transaction. The team also works regularly with investors, first-time buyers, and luxury buyers.

03

The team's core markets are on Chicago's North Side and Far Northwest Side, with detailed neighborhood guides on this site for Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, North Center, Andersonville, Edgewater, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Edgebrook, Sauganash, and Norwood Park. Coverage extends beyond those twelve to the Gold Coast, Old Town, River North, the Loop and South Loop, Uptown, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, and Edison Park, and into the North Shore and near-north suburbs including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Glenview. The team office is at 2350 North Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park.

04

Yes, both, and at every price point. On the buyer side the team works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, luxury buyers, and investors, and Julie Chesne holds the Accredited Buyer's Representative designation for buyer-side work. On the seller side the team handles standard listings alongside downsizes, estate sales, and properties involving multiple family members or stakeholders, and COMPASS Concierge can front the cost of pre-sale work such as painting, staging, and repairs with nothing owed until the home sells. COMPASS Private Exclusives and Coming Soon also allow a property to be marketed before it goes fully live, which is useful in the tightly held pockets across the North Side.

05

Call (773) 807-8580 or email julie.chesne@compass.com and describe the situation. There is no obligation attached to a first conversation, and for many clients the first useful step is not a showing at all. In several of the neighborhoods the team covers, only a handful of homes trade in a typical month, so a standing search set up in advance is often more productive than browsing listings. If you are selling, the first conversation usually covers timing, what comparable homes have actually done recently, and what pre-sale work would and would not be worth doing.

06

Yes. Through the COMPASS network, which is the largest residential brokerage in the United States by sales volume and which now includes Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's International Realty following the January 2026 acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate, the team can make and receive referrals nationally and internationally. For clients arriving in Chicago the team handles the neighborhood side of the decision, which is usually the harder part, and the twelve neighborhood guides on this site are written for exactly that purpose. For clients leaving Chicago, the team coordinates the sale here and connects them with an agent in the destination market.

Julie Chesne of JDC Group at Compass, serving Andersonville, Chicago

Let's Work Together

Whether you are buying a first condominium, selling a home you have owned for forty years, coordinating an estate sale on behalf of a family, or helping a parent plan a move, Julie Chesne and the JDC Group team at COMPASS would welcome the chance to hear the situation and talk through it. Thirty years on the same North Side blocks, nine industry designations, and no obligation attached to a first conversation.

start the conversation
Phone

(773) 807-8580

Email

julie.chesne@compass.com

Office

2350 N Lincoln Ave 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60614