Illinois REALTORS® coordinated the first of numerous “Let’s Talk Real Estate” sessions between members and their Congressional representatives in early June.
Illinois REALTORS® Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) David Levin of Rock Island facilitated a conference phone call between Rep. Cheri Bustos of East Moline and about 30 REALTORS® from the northwest corner of the state. FPC Matt Silver of Chicago led a Zoom meeting with Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield and about 40 REALTORS® from the northeast corner of Illinois. In previous years, members would gather for face-to-face meetings in their Congressional districts, but the COVID-19 outbreak prevented those in 2020.
“It’s great to keep the lines of communication open despite the quarantine and social distancing required by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Illinois REALTORS® Manager of Political Programs Neil Malone. “This is such an unprecedented and unusual time, it’s a credit to members who have adapted and overcome.”
Discussion topics were directly connected to the pandemic, including:
- public health concerns,
- how lawmakers connect with their constituents,
- economic effects on the real estate market and
- federal legislation permitting secure remote notary services.
Levin, a broker for NAI Ruhl Commercial Company in Davenport, Iowa, has been involved in local politics, once running for Rock Island mayor. Silver, a partner and broker for Urban Real Estate in Chicago, also serves as the Illinois REALTORS® consulate general liaison for Israel.
Background
“The Let’s Talk Real Estate series is a unique members-only benefit that allows REALTORS® to engage directly with their member of congress,” Malone says. “They talk about public policy issues and help lawmakers understand how those issues affect the real estate market and people who buy, sell, rent or develop property in the communities they represent.”
Each FPC is a REALTOR® member, appointed by the National Association of REALTORS® to be the face and voice of real estate for one federal lawmaker. Each of the 535 FPCs (435 matched to representatives and 100 matched to senators) work in every district and every state.
They play a pivotal role in REALTOR® advocacy, he says. They interact at least quarterly with their member of congress and report back to NAR on their meetings.
Their responsibilities include:
- Responding to NAR Calls for Action,
- Attending annual REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expos each May in Washington, D.C.
- leading meetings on Capitol Hill,
- delivering RPAC support by attending in-district fundraisers and
- developing strong grassroots contact teams of REALTORS® that provide expertise in all facets of the real estate industry and reflect the geographic, gender and racial diversity of the district.
In addition to members participating in the virtual meetings, Malone says three local Governmental Affairs Directors (GADs) were involved with the Bustos conference call: Kristie Engerman, Jim Clayton and Neeley Erickson. Another local GAD, Joe Roth, was part of the Schneider Zoom meeting.
REALTORS® should keep their eyes open for email invitations to “Let’s Talk Real Estate” discussions in the coming weeks. Members will receive email invitations about a week before the event with their U.S. representative is scheduled, Malone says.
