Receptions, a banquet, learning events and a record-setting attendance at Capitol Conference helped make Monday and Tuesday memorable days for Illinois REALTORS® in Springfield.

Monday’s activities started at the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield — a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel:

  • the Illinois YPN program taught by Nobu Hatu and Harrison Beacher, “Disrupt yourself” and
  • the Leadership Development Program Module III: Public Policy and Political Involvement.

Following those events, REALTORS® moved to the Illinois REALTORS® offices to honor four members who will be inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame later this month in Washington, D.C. The quartet of Mabél Guzmán, Matt Difanis, Dan Wagner and Jim Merrion reached the $25,000 milestone for lifetime aggregate contributions while Daniel L. Goodwin and Frank Wehrstein were honored for reaching $50,000.  Read “Six Illinois REALTORS® lauded for reaching RPAC landmarks.”

After the reception, action moved to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for the REALTOR® of the Year Banquet honoring Mike Drews and the REALTORS® of the Year for 21 local Illinois associations.

On Tuesday morning, Capitol Conference kicked off at the Bank of Springfield Center and with more than 700 REALTORS® attending. Many members arrived in 15 charter buses scheduled by their local associations. Attendees were treated to a buffet lunch and Peoria-area REALTOR® Pat McCarthy was named as the recipient of the Illinois REALTORS® 2019 Political Involvement Award. Vice President of Governmental Affairs Greg St. Aubin prepared REALTORS® for meetings with their state legislators by sharing ideas to help make the right impressions on lawmakers. State Rep. Tim Butler also surprised CEO Gary Clayton with an official Illinois Bicentennial flag.

At the Capitol, groups of REALTORS® met with: Illinois Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton for formal gatherings, while other groups met legislators where they could find them in the halls and meeting rooms of the Capitol or at offices in the Stratton Building.

Following the afternoon meetings, REALTORS® and legislators were invited to attend an end-of-day reception at the Bank of Springfield Center. The photos below show members enjoying the camaraderie and working together.