Illinois REALTORS® Senior Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Julie Sullivan will retire at the end of 2020, after a storied career working with state and local political leaders to bolster the state’s real estate profession and protect private property rights.
Sullivan’s keen political knowledge, instincts and tenacity as an advocate has helped make the REALTORS® one of the most powerful voices at the State Capitol. She has a sterling reputation among staff and legislators as an expert on the issues and is a tough but constructive negotiator who has helped many lawmakers write and pass better bills that achieve our mutual goals and ideas.
“Julie is a consummate leader who has worked with legislators from across the state and the entire political spectrum over seven different gubernatorial administrations and when both Democrats and Republications controlled the legislature,” said Gary Clayton, who has worked with Sullivan for the past three decades. He is also retiring this year as CEO of Illinois REALTORS®. “She has been an indispensable resource and advisor to our organization and members.”
Sullivan was especially knowledgeable in legislative issues ranging from land use and zoning to environmental regulatory laws, local government and real estate taxes.
Her colleagues recently recognized her accomplishments when they elected Sullivan Speaker of the Illinois Third House, an organization consisting of all registered Illinois lobbyists. The highest honor in the profession, it is bestowed upon a lobbyist for her work ethic, integrity and years of service.
Sullivan was a Business and Industry Federation of Economic Concern (BIFEC) board member, a past Eastern Illinois University Trustee and has staffed many task forces and working groups for Illinois REALTORS®. She also is a long-time major investor in the RPAC.
Prior to joining Illinois REALTORS®, Sullivan worked on the research staff for House Speaker Michael Madigan. A Rockford native, Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science and a master’s degree in political science from Eastern Illinois University.
Illinois REALTORS® is a voluntary trade association whose more than 50,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the association works to protect and advance the profession, homeowners and private property rights by engaging with elected officials at the local and state level.
