Illinois REALTORS®’ Local Governmental Affairs Directors (GADS) have the privilege of working side-by-side with REALTORS® on the advocacy issues relevant to the industry, but just as key is the work we do in community outreach and revitalization. REALTORS® are leaders in their community and do more than manage property transactions. To increase awareness of the tools and resources REALTORS® have available to strengthen their communities, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) offers a selection of grants that members can leverage through their state and local Associations. Here are some examples of how those grants have been used to better Illinois communities.

Illinois REALTORS^® has launched ROI: Revitalize, Opportunity, Influence and the Outreach Team is hard at work connecting REALTORS^® to the ROI resources they need. Guest columnist, Neeley Erickson, an outreach team member and Local Governmental Affairs Director, shares an “on the ground” update of ROI at work in your communities.

Members of the REALTOR^® Association of Northwestern Illinois cleaned up after new windows were installed in several Freeport businesses. Another NAR grant is being used to create a painted mural downtown and for benches and plantings to be added to create a public gathering space.

Freeport Community Rebuilding

NAR released its Community Rebuilding Grant to help REALTORS® engage and address property damage caused by non-peaceful demonstrators earlier this year. REALTOR® Association of Northwestern Illinois (RANWIL) Association Executive (AE) Ginger Sreenan asked me to investigate how RANWIL might help small businesses whose windows were broken during a recent protest. At the same time, we were made aware of a GoFundMe campaign created by local Freeport business owner, Kelly Chesney, to assist affected business owners. RANWIL was able to secure the NAR grant and through the collaboration with Chesney, raised $14,000 to help 19 affected businesses in Freeport.

Belvidere Placemaking

During a meeting with Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain, I asked if, in addition to road, water, and sewer infrastructure projects, the city was planning to focus on green infrastructure or public engagement. The mayor said the city was moving ahead with the final phase of General Mills Park and wanted to install a pavilion but wanted to use donated funds. General Mills Park is significant because it was developed to improve outreach to families in the surrounding area, plus the local YMCA, fire, and police departments use that location for community relations. After discussing the project with Belvidere Board of REALTORS® former President Ron Taylor, we secured a NAR Placemaking Grant to assist with construction. The pavilion now provides a shady spot on hot days for a summer lunch program, neighborhood meetings and family picnics.

Rockford Pop-Up Pedestrian Art

The Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau wanted to partner with the Rockford Area REALTORS® to create a mural and pop-up space at the Jefferson Street Pedestrian Underpass. Rockford REALTORS® and their AE Conor Brown supported the project because the underpass is a commonly used path by pedestrians and cyclists. It is the only transportation route that prohibits vehicular traffic and connects both sides of the Rock River, making it an important component of increasing pedestrian safety. The revitalized area now provides users with a vibrant community space while highlighting the value of art.

HomeTown Association of REALTORS^® members secured a $1,500 NAR grant to assist with the clean-up of graffiti in an underpass in DeKalb.

Unifying DeKalb

DeKalb Alderman Scott McAdams posted on Facebook about graffiti tagging on an underpass wall that took place after a racial injustice demonstration. The underpass is adjacent to a pedestrians’ walkway and bike path that connects Northern Illinois University to Prairie Park. Rather than cleaning up the graffiti in this high trafficked area, McAdams and local DeKalb artists were looking for collaborators to fund a unity mural. I reached out to the alderman and discussed the project with HomeTown Association of REALTORS® AE Heather Wiedrich. HomeTown was eager to offer its support for a unity mural and now the word “UNITY” has been painted on the underpass wall to cover up the graffiti until painting of the official mural begins.

Members of Heartland REALTOR^® Organization volunteered on the Pollinator Meadow Project, removing invasive species, building a boardwalk and pathway, and reintroducing native plantings to the area.

Woodstock Pollinator Garden

The community of Woodstock was thinking about creating a Pollinator Meadow Project in a local park. Due to the dwindling number of Monarch butterflies – which are the official state insect – Woodstock was thinking of creating a pollinator meadow at Emricson Park to provide a habitat for butterflies and additional space for park patrons to explore. I contacted Heartland REALTOR® Organization AE Jim Haisler and local association members agreed to help. Through the joint efforts of Heartland REALTORS®, the city of Woodstock, a local Eagle Scout and the Land Conservancy of McHenry County, we were able to create a boardwalk, install native plantings and add benches at the pollinator site.

These projects are examples of how REALTORS® bring community leaders and organizations together to engage, revitalize and influence change in our communities. Feeling inspired? Reach out to your Outreach Team or Local Governmental Affairs Director to learn more about grants to help you revitalize in your area.