In the recent Illinois REALTORS® Let’s Talk Real Estate session, U.S. Adam Kinzinger discussed topics related to COVID-19, the economy and other issues important to private property owners in a Zoom meeting with about 40 REALTORS® from the 16th District of Illinois.

Illinois REALTORS® President and Federal Political Coordinator Ed Neaves facilitated the conversation, calling on several REALTORS® to provide local housing market reports for the congressman, while asking him questions about issues important to private property owners.

Discussion topics included:

  • Public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Support for federal e-notarization
  • Financial relief for members through the CARES Act and Paycheck Protector Program
  • Supply chain issues for Illinois companies
  • The role of consumer confidence in the economy
  • Social issues

Neaves is the designated managing broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder Real Estate in Bloomington and serves on the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors. He has chaired numerous working groups and committees, including the Federal Political Coordinators and Major Investor working groups and the REALTORS® Political Involvement, Strategic Planning and Finance committees.

Background

“The Let’s Talk Real Estate series is a unique members-only benefit that allows REALTORS® to engage directly with their member of congress,” says Illinois REALTORS® Manager of Political Programs Neil Malone. “They talk about public policy issues and help lawmakers understand how those issues affect the real estate market and people who buy, sell, rent or develop property in the communities they represent.”

Each FPC is a REALTOR® member, appointed by the National Association of REALTORS® to be the face and voice of real estate for one federal lawmaker. Each of the 535 FPCs (435 matched to representatives and 100 matched to senators) work in every district and every state.

They play a pivotal role in REALTOR® advocacy, he says. They interact at least quarterly with their member of congress and report back to NAR on their meetings.

Their responsibilities include:

  • Responding to NAR Calls for Action,
  • Attending annual REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expos each May in Washington, D.C.
  • leading meetings on Capitol Hill,
  • delivering RPAC support by attending in-district fundraisers and
  • developing strong grassroots contact teams of REALTORS® that provide expertise in all facets of the real estate industry and reflect the geographic, gender and racial diversity of the district.

In addition to members participating in the virtual meetings, Malone says three local Governmental Affairs Directors (GADs) were involved with the Kinzinger conference call: Kristie Engerman, Tom Joseph and Neeley Erickson.

REALTORS® should keep their eyes open for email invitations to “Let’s Talk Real Estate” discussions in the coming weeks. Members will receive email invitations about a week before the event with their U.S. representative is scheduled, Malone says.