Illinois REALTORS® facilitated two virtual Let’s Talk Real Estate sessions in late August, featuring U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia of Chicago and Rodney Davis of Taylorville. Facilitating the discussions were REALTORS® and Federal Political Coordinators Sonia Anaya and Max Mitchell.

Topics of discussion included:

  • support for the Secure Notarization Act of 2020,
  • financial relief for tenants facing eviction,
  • more financial relief for businesses,
  • more financial assistance for cities,
  • larger supplies of affordable housing and
  • the importance of consumer confidence in the economy.

These FPCs are involved

Anaya, of America Real Estate in Chicago, served simultaneously on multiple state association committees from 2014-2019. She was a member of the Illinois REALTORS® 2014 Leadership Development Class. She is also the State Legislative Contact for State Rep. Michael Zalewski of Chicago and the Consulate General Liaison for Mexico. She has also served on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors.

Mitchell, of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign, has more than three decades of committee involvement at the state level, including chair of the: Issues Mobilization Committee, Local Government Task Force, Federal District Coordinating Working Group, Federal Political Coordinators Working Group, State Legislative Contacts Working Group, Community Development Resource Working Group and  Professional Development Member Involvement Group. He’s also a past member of the Illinois REALTORS® Board of Directors.

What do FPCs do?

Each FPC is a REALTOR® member, appointed by NAR to be the face and voice of real estate for one federal lawmaker. Each of the 535 FPCs (435 matched to representatives and 100 matched to senators) work in every district and every state.

They play a pivotal role in REALTOR® advocacy. They interact at least quarterly with their member of Congress and report back to NAR on their meetings.

Their responsibilities include:

  • Responding to NAR Calls for Action,
  • Attending annual REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expos each May in Washington, D.C.
  • leading meetings on Capitol Hill,
  • delivering RPAC support by attending in-district fundraisers and
  • developing strong grassroots contact teams of REALTORS® that provide expertise in all facets of the real estate industry and reflect the geographic, gender and racial diversity of the district.
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FPC and REALTOR® Sonia Anaya poses a question to U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia of Chicago during last week’s Let’s Talk Real Estate @Home event..
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U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia of Chicago spoke about pandemic relief for his constituents.
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FPC and REALTOR® Max Mitchell of Champaign (top left) and U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (top right) of Taylorville listen as Neil Malone reads a submitted question from a member during a Let’s Talk Real Estate@Home session.