The Illinois REALTORS® Outreach Team points out some of the reasons why REALTORS® are making positive impacts in their own communities in the July Illinois REALTOR® article, “What common values connect Illinois REALTORS®?”
Sometimes elected officials show their thanks for REALTOR® support with ceremonies like the one captured by photographers in April in Joliet. At that time, the Will County Land Use Department Community Development Division recognized the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® for promoting and protecting the tenets of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (photo above).
Community Development Director Ron Pullman stated, “Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® has been an excellent partner in our mission to affirmatively further the goals of the Fair Housing Act.”
Three Rivers’ Board President Matt Persicketti accepted the proclamation saying, “While assisting people buy and sell homes, it is the duty of REALTORS® to encourage flourishing communities that are open to everyone.”
The Fair Housing Act originally recognized four protected classes: race, color, religion and national origin. Sex was added as a protected class in 1974 followed by disability and familial status in 1988. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development website states that the purpose of the Act is “to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community so that every person can live free.” See our Fair Housing resources.
All REALTORS® must abide by The National Association of REALTORS© Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice which outlines duties that REALTORS® have to clients and customers, the public, and other REALTORS®. Article 10 of the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics provides that, “REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.”