Crain’s is reporting that a deal may be imminent for the sale of a controlling interest in Sudler Sotheby’s to an individual who has pleaded guilty to felony charges.

Some of you may be wondering why Illinois law permits a real estate brokerage, which may hold millions of dollars of client funds in trust, to be controlled by someone with a criminal record. Hello – this is Illinois.

Whatever the outcome of this particular deal, which Crain’s reports as uncertain, the year ahead is likely to see the closing or merger of many brokerage offices.