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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.
Illinois REALTORS® made their presence known in Springfield Wednesday during the 2024 Capitol Conference.
The main event kicked off at the BOS Center and featured national political analyst, commentator and podcaster Michael Steele. In addition to mingling with several hundred REALTOR® members during his unconventional presentation, the former chair of the Republican National Committee analyzed the divisiveness of politics today.
Takeaways from Michael Steele
Using the wisdom of well-known figures in American history such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Ulysses S. Grant and Alexis de Tocqueville, Steele made a case for Americans – especially REALTORS® in the audience – to determine the future of the country through their own actions.
His suggestions included eight takeaways:
- meeting and communicating frequently with elected officials so they understand your value as a community supporter,
- explaining the concerns of the real estate industry and its effect on the economy,
- closely monitoring local, state and federal government,
- supporting servant leaders who put the common good ahead of their own needs,
- voting self-serving elected officials out of office,
- demanding elected officials compromise and develop bipartisan solutions,
- ignoring those who use scare tactics to get you to vote against ideas or candidates,
- resisting campaigns or arguments that justify ways to discourage or prevent others from voting.
“Push back on the bull,” Steele said. “And remember, you are writing the story.”
Clayton focuses on housing stability
The severity of the housing crisis in Illinois convinced association leaders to identify like-minded allies and propose legislative solutions that will increase housing inventory. So, Senior Director State Government Affairs Jim Clayton encouraged members to make their voices heard during their visits to the State Capitol Complex Wednesday afternoon.
For example, he encouraged them to voice their support for House Bill 4321 and Senate Bill 3680 so that crime-free programs and crime-free ordinances could be eliminated from communities across the state. REALTORS® oppose these programs and ordinances, he said, because:
- they don’t reduce crime,
- landlords are often required to act as enforcement agents for their communities and
- innocent tenants are displaced from their homes even when they contact law enforcement for assistance.
In another example, Clayton asked members to verbalize their support for a senate bill that will provide tax deductions and a financial path for first-time homebuyers.
“We care about housing stability,” said Clayton. “We want to be part of the solution.”
Recognition
Chairman of the Illinois REALTORS® Nominating Committee Sue Miller announced the proposed slate of 2025 candidates. The candidates will include Chicago REALTOR® Tommy Choi as president, Peoria-area REALTOR® Jeff Kolbus as president-elect, Shorewood REALTOR® Debbie Prodehl as treasurer nominee, and Chicago REALTOR® Matt Silver as immediate past president.
A total of 14 members were recognized with a special video commemorating their induction in the RPAC Hall of Fame. Those who were in attendance walked across the stage. In addition, four previous RPAC inductees were celebrated for reaching the next tier of recognition.
Afternoon activity
Members then rode buses to the State Capitol Complex for visits with available legislators. After those meetings were completed, members rode busses to the Illinois REALTORS® headquarters for an outdoor reception on Bicentennial Plaza with legislators.
