CHICAGO- The cellular service provider has signed a long-term lease renewal for over 94,000-sf at Citicorp Plaza in the O'Hare submarket. Romanek Properties says it's one of the largest leases signed in the submarket this year.

CHICAGO- In its quarterly conference call, management says it has sold 17 properties since the end of 3Q for $245 million. CEO says the strategic shift into supply-constrained markets will begin to show in next year's results.

CHICAGO-Following the Exodus Communications development near O'Hare Airport, a high-tech corridor is forming in the area. With space Downtown getting harder to find nationwide, Band-X says telco hotel developers will be heading for the suburbs.

CHICAGO-Equity Residential and six other big apartment REITs have made a $10.3 million equity investment in rental Internet exchange Viva.com. Viva will create a digital dialog with renters, Equity Residential CEO says.

CHICAGO-Craig Morris will lead the real estate services firm's corporate services group. He will also have responsibility for managing the alliance with UK-based Knight Frank.

ALTON, IL-The nation's largest investor-owned water utility has selected Alton as the location for a new call center. The company is scouting sites here.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL-Following the sale of its brand to hotel franchising powerhouse Cendant, Amerihost will focus on building new fees from hotel development and operation. The CFO says plans are for 12 to 15 new hotels throughout the Midwest next year.

CHICAGO-The nation's largest apartment REIT has completed its acquisition of Grove Properties Trust. The acquisition added 62 properties with 7,526 units to Equity Residential's portfolio, which now consists of over 225,000 units in 35 states.