Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn listens to IAR President Phil Chiles during a meeting April 1, 2014 at the Illinois Association of REALTORS headquarters in Springfield. Quinn used the meeting to preview Welcome Home Illinois, a program for first-time homebuyers. From left are Mary R. Kenney, IHDA executive director; Gov. Quinn; Chiles; Mike Drews, IAR treasurer; and Michael D. Oldenettel, IAR immediate past president.

In a personal call Monday to IAR’s legislative affairs team, Gov. Pat Quinn said 730 buyers have signed up for the Welcome Home Illinois first-time buyers program.

Quinn told IAR more than $80 million in loans has been committed so far under the program, and more loans are expected due to interest by prospective homebuyers.

The governor previewed Welcome Home Illinois at a meeting April 1, 2014, with IAR’s leadership.

Welcome Home Illinois is administered through the Illinois Housing Development Authority. It offers down payment assistance, below-market interest rates and a variety of loan programs for buyers to choose from.

The full details are outlined on the program’s website.

Illinois REALTORS® appeared with Quinn as he flew around the state in April to promote the housing program. He expressed his thanks for REALTOR® support for the initiative.

Quinn has a track record of working with REALTORS® to promote home ownership programs. Association members have worked with him on programs focusing on revitalizing Chicago-area communities and for providing loans to veterans and active-duty military personnel.