The longer Matt Silver works in the real estate industry, the better he understands the association’s importance to local communities and the people who live in them. That’s one of the reasons he wants to serve another term on the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors. 

Silver is one of six members slated for the 2021 board. He’s seen how issues that arise in one area of Illinois today occur in other areas tomorrow. Listening to what colleagues have to say matters. 

“Serving as a volunteer leader at the board level affords me the opportunity to blend my opinions on policy with my colleagues’ and clients’ perspectives,” says Silver, partner and senior broker for Corcoran Urban Real Estate in Chicago. “I help shape a better industry for those who work in it and those we represent.”  

Silver, CRS, GRI, e-Pro, is the chair of the REALTORS® Political Involvement Working Group for the Illinois REALTORS® and the vice chairman of the Professional Standards Committee. He’s served on multiple committees for the state association off and on since 2001. He is the Illinois REALTORS® Consulate General Liaison to Israel, the State Legislative Coordinator for State Rep. Patricia Van Pelt of Chicago and is the Federal Political Coordinator to U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield. 

Silver’s also served as a GRI Governor and GRI Dean and is a former president of the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF) and a current REEF board member. 

He is on the NAR Board of Directors and serves as vice chair of the Federal Legislative and Political Forum and is a member of the Public Policy Coordinating Committee. He is a past president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and was its 2018 REALTOR® of the Year.  

“We interact with buyers and sellers, advocate for private property rights and play important roles in community improvement projects,” says Silver. “Listening to colleagues across the state has given me a great perspective. We all want a more equal and fairly represented landscape. We see that what happens in Southern Illinois affects Northern Illinois and vice-versa!” 

Serving on the local, state and national REALTOR® levels has helped Silver understand how powerful his voice can be. He believes that by staying open-minded and respectful of others’ opinions, he learned a lot and made valuable friendships. 

In addition to Silver, five other members are slated to serve on the 2021 Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors:  

• Ayn Bartok (returning), broker-owner of All in One Real Estate Company in Harrisburg, 
• Linda Dressler of RE/MAX Suburban in Schaumburg, 
• Tracey Royal, president and designated managing broker of Team Real Estate Services in Oak Park, 
• Eddie Ruettiger, broker for Baird & Warner in Plainfield, and 
• Nancy Suvarnamani, president of Century 21 SGR in Chicago.