Hundreds of Illinois REALTORS® – from experienced veterans to novices and everything in between – participated in the 2023 Capitol Conference Tuesday in Springfield.

REALTORS® gathered at the BOS Center to learn about the latest legislative developments in the Illinois General Assembly, to hear national political consultant and commentator David Axelrod and to recognize several colleagues for noteworthy achievements. Then, they piled into buses and rode to the Capitol to visit their legislators.

Axelrod shared stories from his early days in politics, his time on President Barack Obama’s election campaign and as a senior advisor in Obama’s cabinet. His stories evoked memories of former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, former Secretary of State Paul Powell. He shared stories of Obama’s decision-making and speech writing and his fight to get the Affordable Care Act passed. Axelrod also spoke about his own daughter’s challenge with epilepsy and the family’s financial challenges in caring for her, especially as they neared the lifetime limit of insurance coverage for a pre-existing condition.

Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Greg St. Aubin reviewed the association’s position on 15 bills that would impact the rights of property owners or the real estate profession, including the environment, energy and tax assessments.

Many REALTOR® members took advantage of charter bus rides to and from the Capitol Complex and then finished the day with a chance to mingle and meet more legislators at the REALTOR® Block Party.

Members honored for their achievements included:

In addition, the state association named Peoria-area REALTOR® Jeff Kolbus as its treasurer nominee. The Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors is expected to formally place him on the association’s leadership ladder later this year. He would join the 2024 leadership slate of Chicago REALTOR® Tommy Choi as president-elect and Chicago REALTOR® Matt Silver as president.