Illinois REALTORS® Senior Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Julie Sullivan will retire at the end of 2020, after a storied career working with state and local political leaders to bolster the state’s real estate profession and protect private property rights.

Sullivan’s keen political knowledge, instincts and tenacity as an advocate has helped make the REALTORS® one of the most powerful voices at the State Capitol. She has a sterling reputation among staff and legislators as an expert on the issues and is a tough but constructive negotiator who has helped many lawmakers write and pass better bills that achieve our mutual goals and ideas.

“Julie is a consummate leader who has worked with legislators from across the state and the entire political spectrum over seven different gubernatorial administrations and when both Democrats and Republications controlled the legislature,” said Gary Clayton, who has worked with Sullivan for the past three decades. He is also retiring this year as CEO of Illinois REALTORS®. “She has been an indispensable resource and advisor to our organization and members.”

Sullivan was especially knowledgeable in legislative issues ranging from land use and zoning to environmental regulatory laws, local government and real estate taxes.

Her colleagues recently recognized her accomplishments when they elected Sullivan Speaker of the Illinois Third House, an organization consisting of all registered Illinois lobbyists. The highest honor in the profession, it is bestowed upon a lobbyist for her work ethic, integrity and years of service.

Sullivan was a Business and Industry Federation of Economic Concern (BIFEC) board member, a past Eastern Illinois University Trustee and has staffed many task forces and working groups for Illinois REALTORS®. She also is a long-time major investor in the RPAC.

Prior to joining Illinois REALTORS®, Sullivan worked on the research staff for House Speaker Michael Madigan. A Rockford native, Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science and a master’s degree in political science from Eastern Illinois University.

Illinois REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose more than 50,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the association works to protect and advance the profession, homeowners and private property rights by engaging with elected officials at the local and state level.

Sullivan testifying on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives during a rare Committee of the Whole hearing in 2017. She was among a series of speakers advocating for a property tax freeze.
Sullivan poses with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
(l to r) Sullivan, St. Aubin, former state Rep. Lee Daniels, who served as Speaker of the Illinois House from 1995-1997, and former REALTOR® and state Rep. Anne Zickus of Palos Hills.
(l to r) Sullivan, former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr. and Illinois REALTORS® Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Greg St. Aubin. Jones served in the Illinois House and Senate and eventually presided as Senate President.
(l to r) Sullivan and REALTORS® Tommy Choi, Nicholas Apostal and Nykea Pippion McGriff snap a selfie on the ride to the Illinois State Capitol building during Capital Conference 2019.
Sullivan and Illinois REALTORS® CEO Gary Clayton (fourth from right) pose with REALTORS® at “the rail” outside the House and Senate chambers in the Illinois State Capitol.
Sullivan poses with former First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1996. Clinton was in Illinois that year, visiting the University of Illinois at Springfield and campaigning for then Congressional candidate Jay Hoffman.
Former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (fourth from left) poses with the Sullivan Caucus, a group of Illinois legislators and lobbyists named Sullivan who celebrate together every St. Patrick’s Day.

Legislative highlights over 31 years

1989

Illinois began its first state-funded affordable housing program; a revenue stream was created for funding affordable housing projects, purchase of and protection of open space and for natural areas.

1991

Illinois became the first state to enact the Commercial Broker Lien Act.

1992

With substantial input from the REALTORS®, Illinois enacted new provisions regarding lead paint disclosure and abatement.

1993

Residential Real Property Condition Disclosure Act (“Seller Disclosure”) approved.

1996

The Rent Control Preemption Act was overwhelmingly approved to prohibit units of local government from enacting rent control for commercial or residential property.

1996

Legislation approved to require voter approval before a Home Rule municipality can impose or increase a real estate transfer tax

2003

A last-minute proposal to triple the State’s real estate transfer tax was stopped after a successful Call for Action from Illinois REALTORS®.

2006

Landmark eminent domain reform legislation was approved following an extraordinary grassroots campaign launched by Illinois REALTORS®

2012

Stopped the adoption of administrative rules proposed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal that made a number of changes to fire safety regulations including a mandate for fire sprinklers in all new single-family construction and onerous retrofit mandates for high rise residential buildings.