Illinois REALTORS® Local Government Affairs Director Conor Brown talks to the media during an announcement of a plan backed by Rockford Area REALTORS® to get people to invest in foreclosed properties through participation in a tax rebate program. Photo from Rockford Area REALTORS®

Mayoral candidates in Rockford faced off at a housing forum sponsored in part by the local REALTORS® association.

And a homeownership ordinance which seeks to put families in foreclosed houses which was backed by the Rockford Area REALTORS® has gained approval to run through the end of the year.

Housing forum draws 150 to hear candidates

The event at Memorial Hall on March 28 drew all four candidates for mayor who discussed issues ranging from property taxes to how the city should deal with blighted structures.

The Rockford Area REALTORS®, NW HomeStart, Jeremiah Development, Rockford Apartment Association and Zion Development were behind the forum, which drew about 150 people, according to the report in the Rockford Register-Star.

Candidates attending were Brian Leggero; Alderman Tom McNamara; and Ronnie Manns and Rudy Valdez.

Extended program seeks to address foreclosures in city

The Rockford Area REALTORS® have played a leadership role in making private property rights issues a focus in the election which will be April 4.

The association played a key part in a rebate program that provided benefits for those who bought and lived in single-family foreclosed properties. Now, that program has been extended.

According to the Rockford Register-Star newspaper, the Homebuyer’s Property Tax Refund program:

…provides a three-year property tax rebate to purchasers of qualifying homes. About 80 homes qualify for the program this year, ranging in price from $4,900 to $349,000. The city says the annual tax rebate for a house valued at $100,000 may total up to $3,200.

According to the Rockford Register-Star article, the program has generated more than $300,000 in rebates for 51 property owners.