March 3, 2023 State Capitol Report

This week only the House conducted hearings while senators worked in their district offices.  Your Illinois REALTORS® Governmental Affairs Team focused on the many bills that were in committee this week, highlighted below. The Illinois REALTORS® Legislative team is currently working on several different pieces of legislation and is involved in numerous negotiations on bills outside of committee hearings. Even this early on into session, we are seeing a wide array of issues ranging from automatic sealed conviction records to making it a human rights violation for homeowners and real estate licensees to refuse to sell to a convicted person, no matter the offense or when the conviction occurred.

Bill Considered this Week

Click the bill number to view additional information

The following bills advanced this week to 2nd Reading:

This is a “clean-up” bill from last year to include that a “seller” does not include a beneficiary who has both (a) never occupied the residential property and (b) never had management responsibilities for the property. Illinois REALTORS® SUPPORTS this legislation.

This bill amends the Homeowners Energy Policy Statement Act by making several changes paving a clearer path for homeowners seeking permission from homeowners’ associations regarding solar panel installation regardless of the HOA’s current policy. Illinois REALTORS® is monitoring the bill.

This bill amends the Residential Mortgage License Act to provide that each full-service office (rather than office, place of business, or location) at which a residential mortgage licensee conducts any part of his or her business must be recorded with the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Provides that licensees may allow mortgage loan originators to work from a remote location if specified conditions are met. Illinois REALTORS® is monitoring this legislation.

This bill provides that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (IDFPR) cannot require criminal background information in instances where IDFPR has already stated that the criminal background information cannot be used against an applicant for a license. Illinois REALTORS® is following this legislation.

Next Week: At-A-Glance

Both the House and Senate will be in session and legislators will be focused on the March 10th deadline for bills to make it out of committee if they want to be considered during this session. Your Illinois REALTORS® Legislative Team will be concentrating on an several key issues, including:

  • Permanently sealing most eviction records, thereby severely limiting landlords to avoid getting a chronically non-paying tenant, which can be devastating to the landlord and the paying tenants;
  • Mandated electric vehicle charging stations for every residential parking space;
  • Cook County data reporting for assessments;

  • And even perhaps at least three RENT CONTROL bills!

We anticipate a few of these bills to be heard in committees as early as next week. Next week is already shaping up to be another busy week in Springfield so make sure you STAY TUNED for the latest in legislative action.

DON’T MISS OUT:

Please register now for the upcoming REALTORS® Capitol Conference where your voice will be heard loudly by your presence.

GET READY FOR OUR BIGGEST ADVOCACY EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Illinois REALTORS® Capitol Conference is back and better than ever. Join us Tuesday, April 25 at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois.

Take 1 day out of 365 to make a difference on potential legislation and policy issues that can impact your real estate business!

Visit the Capitol for the opportunity to meet with legislators and network with hundreds of your REALTOR® colleagues from across the state.

Thank you for reading the March 3, 2023 State Capitol Report. Click here to read previous reports.