SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois REALTORS® is taking its bold statewide housing advocacy leadership to new heights with the appointments of three powerhouse governmental affairs professionals with significant legislative affairs experience at the Illinois Capitol, Chicago, and Cook County.

These talented and savvy experts, selected after comprehensive national and regional talent searches, each possess unparalleled legislative experience and a history of proven results.

“Combined with our existing talented governmental affairs experts, the premier and seasoned talent we are adding enables Illinois REALTORS® to continue being the leading and most effective voice on housing policy throughout the state,” said Jeff Baker, CEO of Illinois REALTORS®, the state’s largest and most influential housing advocacy organization.

Melia Carter has been named the new Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the association, where she’ll manage Illinois REALTORS®’ 12-member team of experienced state and local governmental affairs professionals, including the association’s nationally recognized local Governmental Affairs Directors program. Selected after a nationwide search, Carter holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and brings with her extensive experience directing state and local legislative and regulatory campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. She was most recently a member of Verizon’s corporate executive leadership team, heading their entire Midwestern governmental affairs operation and was Deputy Regional Vice President of Public Affairs for AT&T prior to that.

Anne Emerson has been named Local Governmental Affairs Director and will work with the Chicago City Council and the Mayor’s Office to advocate for property owner rights, affordable housing and reducing regulatory burdens on property owners. She possesses a wealth of knowledge on the operations of Chicago’s city government, having served in several finance roles including Chief of Staff of the Council’s finance committee. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President at Mercury Public Affairs.

Audrey Harding has been named Local Governmental Affairs Director and will work with the Cook County Board to advance pro-housing initiatives throughout Chicagoland. She possesses a wealth of experience in the operational aspects of Cook County government. Harding formerly helped lead the Chicago Mayor’s intergovernmental affairs office and before that, she served as legislative director and then chief of staff at the Cook County Board.

“This is a strategic investment to equip Illinois REALTORS® with unmatched resources and to continue securing policies that increase housing inventory, incentivize homebuying and thwart burdensome property tax hikes and regulations,” Baker said. “The health of our housing economy is essential to the welfare of every resident in Illinois.”

Illinois REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose over 50,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, Illinois REALTORS® works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation to safeguard and advance the interest of real property ownership.

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