Illinois REALTORS® today announced the launch of its Diversity Initiative, a multi-pronged and multi-year plan to reaffirm the organization’s longtime commitment to diversity in the workplace and equality in housing.

The Diversity Initiative’s first major component is housing legislation to incentivize the development of more affordable housing by reallocating more funds to the affordable housing trust fund, create a property tax abatement and income tax credit for new affordable housing units and eliminate local prohibitions on accessory dwelling units by local governments. Illinois REALTORS® plan to seek the adoption of these incentives during the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session.

Illinois REALTORS® is a leading advocate for policies that promote housing opportunity and affordability for all. Because they are a trusted source on housing issues, they intend to continue their advocacy efforts in the General Assembly’s 2021 session by unveiling a second legislative package that will comprehensively address housing shortages and obstacles to housing equality in urban and suburban parts of the state.

“Housing stability is one of the most important factors in preserving and promoting healthy neighborhoods and families,” said Ed Neaves, the 2020 Illinois REALTORS® President. “Legislators in Springfield know and trust Illinois REALTORS® because for years the ideas we have proposed and fought for are designed to benefit everyone and not just one group.”

In addition to their legislative efforts, the Diversity Initiative would boost the impact the organization is already making on diversity in the real estate industry. The Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF), an affiliate of Illinois REALTORS® has administered the Illinois Minority Real Estate Scholarship Program since 2001. Since that time, REEF has awarded 533 minority scholarships worth over $266,000. REEF, together with Illinois REALTORS®, recently worked with the state to double the total scholarships awarded each year from 30 to 60. Now, as a part of the Diversity Initiative, Illinois REALTORS® is partnering with REEF to increase the number of scholarships awarded by another 40 annually.

Sue Miller will be the 2021 President of Illinois REALTORS® and is a former President of REEF. “Our members have long recognized the value of a diverse industry, which is why REEF has always prioritized the minority scholarship. Instead of just talking about doing more, both REEF and the REALTORS® can instantly make an impact by increasing the number of scholarships.”

The partnership between REEF and Illinois REALTORS® does not end with the scholarship, however. The Diversity Initiative also includes a program jointly sponsored by both organizations that provides Illinois real estate firms grants to retain experts in diversity and inclusion in the real estate industry. These are highly experienced professionals who will help brokerage companies understand sensitive topics, develop methods to confront unknown biases and implement business practices that prioritize diversity in the workplace.

The Diversity Initiative includes newly launched digital tools, such as toolkits and video training resources for Illinois REALTORS® members, featured on a webpage devoted exclusively to the program. Finally, the association says the last part of its plan is to seek out and partner with other associations and groups that are similarly prioritizing issues of equality, affordability and stability, especially in the context of housing.

“There are about 50,000 members of Illinois REALTORS® and they come from every corner of the state. But they have always been united around our core principles of equality, fairness and opportunity,” said Jeff Baker, Deputy CEO of the association. “When we put those principles first, whether in housing policy or in the types of business training and education we offer, housing stability is strengthened, there is more equal opportunity and all of Illinois is better for it.”