Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Heartland REALTOR® Organization and the McHenry County Division of Transportation, a pollinator habitat and community garden has been created in Crystal Lake.
Located at the intersection of McHenry Avenue and Randall Road, the 1.7-acre commercially zoned parcel was reconfigured after traffic safety improvements were made, says Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director Neeley Erickson.
McHenry County officials did not believe the land was adequate for commercial use and wanted to create a community space, so Heartland applied for – and secured – a $5,000 Placemaking Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The McHenry County Division of Transportation (McDOT) has installed an ADA-compliant walkway from the shared-use path on the property’s western edge, along with benches and an educational kiosk explaining the vegetation.
Since the parcel borders a bike and pedestrian trail, Erickson says it’s likely that walkers, runners and cyclists will stop at the habitat and relax on the benches. Also, the project’s proximity to Crystal Lake South High School could make it a destination for teachers and students.
Residents are pleased the land will be used as an open community space, says Erickson. Also, McDOT is working with Pace Suburban Bus to install a bus stop pad and shelter at the site for transit riders.
Find out more
NAR Placemaking Grants can help transform unused property into welcoming destinations accessible to everyone in a community. Erickson says the funds can be used to help plan, organize, implement and maintain placemaking activities. Find out more about NAR Placemaking Grants.
(l to r): Local GAD Neeley Erickson, McHenry County Assistant Director of Transportation Scott Hennings, Heartland CEO Jim Haisler, REALTOR® and Heartland President Tim Sebastian of RE/Max Connections II in Marengo, REALTOR® Maureen Forgette of Century 21 Roberts & Andrews in McHenry, REALTOR® and Heartland Treasurer Melissa Kostelnik of RE/MAX Plaza in McHenry, affiliate member Katie O’Neill, and REALTOR® Erin Bjornson of Glacier Realty in McHenry.
