Every day, your Illinois REALTORS® works for you at the national, state and local levels to ensure that every Illinoisian has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. We know that homeownership is a key driver for economic development in our communities and state. Homeownership also leads to higher educational outcomes, more neighborhood stability, less crime and more economic opportunity.
Championing Private Property Rights, Housing Stability, and Affordability for Over a Century!
More than two years ago, your Illinois REALTORS® kicked off a multi-year advocacy effort to improve Illinois’ housing problems. This past year, we pushed for tax-advantaged savings accounts for future homebuyers, a ban on controversial crime-free housing policies and a change to state licensing that would require written buyer brokerage agreements.
These initiatives are greatly needed right now.
The State is Experiencing a Housing Shortage
Illinois, like the rest of the country, faces a housing supply crisis. As recently as 2020, Freddie Mac estimated that the housing shortage in the U.S. had increased to 3.8 million homes, up from 2.5 million in 2018. However, some industry organizations now estimate that the housing shortage has now exponentially grown to 7.2 million nationwide. Even after recent increases in mortgage interest rates, most areas of the state still only have 1-3 months of housing supply on the market on any given day. This supply crisis has resulted in higher prices for property buyers and has increased housing instability across the state.
As housing demand heats up, new home construction is not keeping pace. Best practices dictate one new housing permit for every two new jobs created in an area. However, northeast Illinois produces one single-family housing permit for every twenty-three new jobs and one total housing permit (of any/all types) for every twelve new jobs. According to U.S. Census data, in 2021, Illinois trailed every other state in the Midwest region for new building permits. Ohio and Indiana each issued around 150% of Illinois’ total. Indiana’s population is approximately half that of Illinois.
“Illinois REALTORS® believes that EVERYONE deserves the American Dream of homeownership. As the state’s largest housing advocate, we’re committed to helping provide positive public policy solutions that increase housing stability and ensure everyone has the opportunity to realize the benefits of homeownership.”
Matt Silver, Illinois REALTORS® 2024 President
Every day, you use your expertise to guide consumers in their search, help buyers and sellers reach a fair purchase price and navigate them through complex legal and financial processes.
You work in an industry where every day we help consumers make one of the most important investments of their lives. Let’s continue our advocacy work to help consumers achieve the American dream of homeownership.
We can. We must. We will. That’s Who We R®!
Please feel free to contact one of your state and local Governmental Affairs Directors (GAD) to address homeownership issues in your community.
Advocacy in Action: Highlights from Illinois REALTORS® Spring Legislative Session
The 2024 spring legislative session was one of the busiest for Illinois REALTORS® in recent memory. With legislation dealing with everything from real estate license law, new housing initiatives, rental regulations, human rights and all aspects of private property rights, your Illinois REALTORS® Legislative Team was involved in more than 300 bills that would affect you and your business.
Meet Your Illinois REALTOR® State Legislative Team
Greg St. Aubin
Senior Vice President, Governmental Affairs
Jimmy Clayton
Senior Director, State Government Affairs
Betsy Mitchell
Senior Advisor, Governmental Affairs
State, local and federal protection for the real estate industry
Statehouse lobbyists
State policy can have a huge impact on real estate. That’s why Illinois REALTORS® has a team of lobbyists who sort through the thousands of bills annually to make sure bad legislation doesn’t become state law.
Local government
Illinois REALTORS® has a cadre of local Government Affairs Directors, called GADS, who address property rights issues at the grassroots level.
National resources
The National Association of REALTORS® advocates every day on behalf of the nation’s 1.3 million REALTORS® and 75 million property owners.
Member Advocates: Making the REALTOR® voice heard in government at all levels
The power of the REALTOR® brand is evident in the association’s deep membership engagement on the issues. Illinois REALTORS® members take a direct role in answering Calls for Action on legislation, and many serve in leadership capacities to make industry issues known to policymakers.
Advocacy news and updates
Protecting your business and property rights
The REALTORS® Political Action Committee has your back. An investment helps keep your business from becoming encumbered in red tape and costly regulation. Join the thousands of Illinois REALTORS® who are protecting our real estate industry and learn how you can play a role in taking a stand for private property rights.
Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amounts indicated are merely guidelines and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts. The National Association of REALTORS® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Up to thirty percent (30%) may be sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. Except as may be required by state or federal law, the Illinois REALTORS® PAC (Illinois RPAC) is not required to refund political contributions. However, refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis so long as they are received within 30 days of the contribution.
