My issue is trying to find out whose name is on the Title or Deed.The house is in Chicago, IL and I have been on the Cook County tax assesors website but I dont see his name attached to it.

Long time ago I learned to cook and of course when you learn to cook you use recipies.

Sell pots and pans.

Absolutely...plumbing, A/C-Heat, refrigeration, all the equipment for cooking...that's all on you. 

I don't mean in the "bitter" sense; more like I'm used to having to put my money in the pot without outside help--primarily because of creditworthiness.  

EM in the form of a check MUST be deposited within a certain amount of business days.. it can't be held un cashed.. so that is a non issue and your paranoia on that issue is un founded.As to Escrow  in So Cal its customary to have separate escrow and title companies.. in Nor cal for instance and Oregon and Washington Title and escrow is all under one roof.So its common for brokerages to own these.. they must make a disclosure that they own them. and many times in these type of instances the Seller will dictate who they want to work with.. you could of course have an attorney represent you in this transaction and interact  with the escrow company if your that worried.Liz Pendance on the condo makes bank loan not feasible until that's cleared .. so unless your paying cash its a non starter anyway... this is one thing that condo associations and those that own condo's really miss the ball on .. they think they will just sue.. but in essence they cook their own goose as their property becomes illiquid ...

Amazingly, I think I recall that Cook County's rates are actually below the average for IL in general - do you find this to be true? 

A number of years ago here in Illinois there was a guy who purchased the entire common area of a HOA - parking, walkways, and pools: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-04-13/busi...Just last month at the scavenger sale in Cook County I came across an alley behind 6 houses.

Would hate to miss a few thousand dollars just for not wanting to stir the pot. 

One more thing to throw into the pot!