Chicago REALTOR® Mabél Guzmán testified virtually before a committee of the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday on behalf of Illinois REALTORS®. Watch the entire committee meeting.

Jeff Kolbus, Public Policy Vice Chair shared details of the new legislative housing package Illinois REALTORS® seeks passage during the Fall Veto Session.

University of Minnesota Law Professor Myron Orfield discusses how major historical and present day suburban trends in Chicago and nationally impact the real estate industry as a whole.

General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Services Betsy Urbance and Legal Hotline Attorney Anneliese Fierstos discussed some of the hot legal topics and relevant court decisions affecting the industry including handling multiple offer questions during this period of low inventory, RELA Rules, data scraping and website accessibility.

The Public Policy Forum features State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in Illinois and the first woman elected as Chicago City Clerk in 2011. Comptroller Mendoza has been an advocate for stability, bipartisanship, comprehensive budget solutions and transparency in financial reporting. She will brief the group on the current “state of the state.” The Public Policy Forum also includes a discussion with our statehouse lobbyists on the latest from the state capitol and a special presentation by University of Minnesota law professor Myron Orfield. Professor Orfield is a nationally recognized expert on the interplay of civil rights and regional development. He helps members understand the critical importance of sound housing policies to housing equality and affordability.

Here’s your chance to discuss mutually beneficial relationships between REALTORS® and policymakers, the association’s grassroots activities, and the value of member mobilization. This session will feature live chats with leading elected officials at the congressional and state legislative levels, and their REALTOR® Federal Political Coordinator or State Legislative Contact.

Illinois REALTORS® General Counsel Betsy Urbance and Legal Hotline Attorney Anneliese Fierstos hosted a live Zoom event answering questions about changes to the Real Estate License Act (RELA). If you missed the live review, or want a refresher, watch now!

Time: 8:42 | You will learn about:

• ensuring protection of private property rights
• seeking positive changes for REALTORS®
• process behind rewrite every 10 years
• efforts with IDFPR and IL General Assembly

Time: 11:10 | You will learn about:

• moving away from paper licenses and sponsor cards
• email notices replacing paper
• virtual offices
• privacy and storage of electronic records

Time 19:18 | You will learn about:

• The age limit change for brokers and managing brokers
• Continuing education changes for brokers and leasing agents
• Managing broker responsibilities: earnest money, contract negotiations for new licensees