Piero Orsi says his admiration for the previous winners of the Illinois REALTORS® Political Involvement Award made earning the 2018 honor even sweeter.

“I have been a huge advocate for volunteering all my life,” said Orsi, the broker-owner of RE/MAX Showcase (with offices in Long Grove, Waukegan and Gurnee). “When you do that, you get to meet people who are like you and driven by the cause and not the fame. You continue doing it for the well-being of all. That true deep-down reward is what makes you do it day-after-day. When you get recognized for what you have done, it is first unexpected and second, it makes you feel humble – very humble. You just can’t believe that you are up there with them.”

For as long as he can remember, Orsi says he has helped consumers buy and sell homes, and he’s learned to protect the rights of private property owners from threats on the local, state and national levels.

Orsi has served on all of the Illinois REALTORS®’ political fundraising committees and has chaired the Major Investor Working Group. He’s in his sixth consecutive year as a REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) trustee. At the national level, he serves on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and for the last four years he’s been on the NAR’s Federal Financing and Housing Policy Committee.

He is a Sustaining Golden “R” Major Investor in RPAC, a member of the President’s Circle and in 2011 was inducted into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame with $25,000 in total contributions.  By continuing his RPAC support, in 2016 he was recognized for achieving a new tier of RPAC lifetime investment – $50,000.

“While it’s true for any profession, a REALTOR® must be involved, there is no choice,” he says. “The communities we serve have very specific real estate needs that must be addressed. We are poised to help the consumers/homeowners while enhancing our profession and well-being. It does not get any better than that.”

Some of the biggest influences in his life have come from Illinois REALTORS®.  He says, “Our CEO, Gary Clayton, whether he knows it or not, has been my mentor for a very long time. Watching and following him, I learned many things and how to say a lot with few words. Just like when he asked me about the President’s Circle…I have been a member of it since he asked me in that parking lot in Arlington Heights many years ago. Our lobbyists, Greg St. Aubin and Julie Sullivan, are also the best in the business and people I look up to.”   

Being politically involved has helped Orsi get a deeper understanding of how the political process works. By analyzing voting patterns of elected officials, he strives to find ways to advocate for private property rights and home ownership while helping officials, too. “I try to be fair and just look at the facts. I know their primary concern is really to be re-elected.”

Also, he uses what he learns to help REALTORS® in his offices succeed.  “I take great care of my REALTORS® and they take great care of their clients. It’s a true win-win for all.”    

Making unique memories

Orsi thought back to that January afternoon when the winner of the 2018 Political Involvement Award was announced. He’d left the Illinois REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria before they were over so he could help two newcomers to his business. The rapid flurry of chimes coming from his smartphone was his first clue something was amiss.

Curious, he pulled his vehicle off the highway and discovered the announcement had been made during the RPAC Recognition Luncheon.  He says he felt honored and disappointed at the same time.

Once he got back to his office, Orsi spent the rest of the day answering texts, and responding to phone calls and emails. A niece in Italy, who is running for mayor of her town, called and asked him to help with her campaign after she saw it on Facebook. “When I told her what had just happened,” he says, “she had the biggest OMG!”

Orsi continues to hear from well-wishers. He’s made plenty of friends over the years.

Political accomplishments add up to team effort

When asked what his biggest political achievement was in the last year, Orsi said: “All of the ‘little’ things that each of us do every day to protect private property rights and home ownership. Nothing happens just because; it requires accountability, perseverance, no excuses and a determination to never give up.

“One day you may help get a bill passed or defeated. Other times, you may be able to change the direction of a town hall discussion or a school district board meeting.  It’s a real team effort thanks to Illinois REALTORS® executives, staff members and lobbyists.”