Illinois REALTORS® from northwestern, western and southern suburbs of Chicago participated in one of two “Let’s Talk Real Estate” sessions during the week.
Homewood-area REALTOR® and Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) Tonya Corder talked to U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson Monday, while West Chicago-area REALTOR® and FPC Carrie Little facilitated a conversation with U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove Wednesday.
Congresswoman Kelly and and Congressman Casten talked about:
- Using technology to meet virtually with constituents since the COVID-19 outbreak hit Illinois,
- Removing barriers to affordable housing,
- Support for the Secure Notarization Act of 2020,
- Financial relief for members through the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program and
- Encouraging Illinoisans to social distance, wear masks and wash their hands frequently.
Little, of CarMarc Realty in West Chicago, has served on numerous committees and working groups for Illinois REALTORS® since 2014. She is a member of the Illinois REALTORS® Affordable Housing and Community Involvement Committee, the REALTORS® Political Involvement Working Group and the RPAC Fundraising Working Group. In 2017, she was chair of the Senior Housing Working Group and vice-chair of the Digital Communications & Tech Trends Working Group. She was a member of the 2015 Leadership Development class.
Corder, of Century 21 Affiliated in Homewood, is a member of the Illinois REALTORS® Ethics Citation Panel and the State Legislative Contact for state Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago. Since 2013, Corder has served on multiple committees for the state association, including chair of the 2016 Bylaws Committee and chair of the 2013 Business Diversity Working Group. In 2014, she participated in the Leadership Development class.
“The Let’s Talk Real Estate series is a unique members-only benefit that allows REALTORS® to engage directly with their member of congress,” says Illinois REALTORS® Manager of Political Programs Neil Malone. “They talk about public policy issues and help lawmakers understand how those issues affect the real estate market and people who buy, sell, rent or develop property in the communities they represent.”
More information about the FPC program
Each FPC is a REALTOR® member, appointed by the National Association of REALTORS® 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, he says. 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.
REALTORS® should watch for an email invitation to a “Let’s Talk Real Estate” discussion in the coming weeks. Members will receive email invitations about a week before the event with their U.S. representative is scheduled, Malone says.
