Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
Chicago REALTORS® Zeke Morris and Vicky Silvano work at the local, state and national levels of the REALTOR® organization to advance housing opportunity for multicultural groups including the Asian American Real Estate Association, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.[/caption]
Filming wrapped up this week in Chicago for a video commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, a project that has allowed several Illinois REALTORS® to share personal stories about how the landmark legislation affected their lives.
The Dearborn Realtist® Board has served Chicago since 1941 and has its headquarters on Stoney Island Avenue. Left to right: Ron Branch of RLB Realty Group in Chicago, board treasurer and past president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB); Millie Reyes-Williams, vice president, community reinvestment for BMO Harris Bank, Evergreen Park and board Director/Membership Chair; Courtney Q. Jones, 2017-2018 board president and principal owner of Chicago Homes Realty Group. Photo Ann Londrigan
The video project is led by Illinois REALTOR® Zeke Morris, 2018 chair of the National Association of REALTORS® Fair Housing Act Anniversary Working Group. The goal of the video is to share the stories and challenges of Illinois fair housing pioneers, to look back at the battles waged, and assess the progress made over the past 50 years.
The video also calls for continued work to realize the goal of fair housing opportunity for all.
The video will premier at the January Illinois REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings and be accompanied by a panel discussion.
Illinois was at the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement and fair housing in particular with the Chicago Freedom Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. to promote open housing.
Fred Underwood, senior director of diversity and community outreach for the National Association of REALTORS® shared the history of the REALTORS® Code of Ethics and actions related to fair housing. The National Association of REALTORS® plans a full year of education and awareness for the Fair Housing Act with the theme “Fair Housing Makes U.S. Stronger.” Photo: Ann Londrigan
This week’s interviews included Morris, Chicago REALTOR® Vicky Silvano, Fred Underwood of the National Association of REALTORS® and Courtney Q. Jones, president of the Dearborn Realtist® Board.
The Fair Housing Act was signed into law April 11, 1968, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, just days after King’s assassination. The Act prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, religion and national origin. In 1974 the Act was amended to prohibit discrimination based on sex.
The National Association of REALTORS® plans a full year of education and awareness for the Fair Housing Act with the theme “Fair Housing Makes U.S. Stronger.”
Learn more at fairhousing.realtor.
