Members of IAR’s Industry Leaders Council met this week with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and newly-appointed IDFPR Secretary Bryan Schneider on Thursday as part of IAR’s Industry Leaders Council held in Oak Brook.

Roskam, who represents Illinois’ Sixth District (parts of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties), says he is optimistic comprehensive tax reform could be on the horizon.  He said: “The architecture on which the American economy is built on housing.”

Roskam said even though IAR Calls for Action are mass-produced, they are important, and members should respond to them. “(It is) tough to find a more impressive advocacy organization than what REALTORS® put together,” Roskam said.

Schneider said he wants to make sure the real estate industry thrives, and is looking at ways to enhance the state agency responsible for overseeing licensing.

He said didn’t like that $30 million set aside for rules enforcement was swept from the Real Estate License Administration Fund as part of an effort to fix the state’s budget problems, but there was no other choice given the severity of the fiscal situation. He said he would be an advocate not to have funds swept again.

Schneider said he is looking for a new director of real estate for the department.

IDFPR Real Estate Coordinator Jill Johnson said about 30 percent of managing brokers have renewed their licenses ahead of the deadline. Most renewals are being handled online, and she urged managing brokers not to wait until the last minute as that could cause delays.

Other topics covered include federal real estate tax issues and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).

The council is for all state real estate firms with 50 or more agents. Presenting from IAR were John A. Kauerauf, IAR Board Counsel, Sorling Northrup Attorney; Betsy Urbance, IAR Legal Hotline Attorney; and Jeffrey T. Baker, IAR Transaction Helpline Attorney.

Kathy Kalnes, of Coldwell Banker Residential in Chicago, is 2015 chair of the Industry Leaders Council.