Left to right: Julie Sullivan, IAR's assistant director of legislative and political affairs; Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, IAR Director of Governmental Affairs Greg St. Aubin and Ryan Cudney, Executive Director, Republican State Senate Campaign Committee.

Today at the Illinois Association of REALTORS® headquarters, IAR Statehouse lobbyists met with Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-41) and Republican State Senate Campaign Committee Director Ryan Cudney, who presented their slate of candidates for the upcoming elections.

In coming weeks, IAR Governmental Affairs staff and REALTOR® members will continue these meetings with both parties in the House and Senate as we have a long-established, bipartisan track record of supporting Democrats and Republicans. There are 23 open seats in the Illinois House and 14 in the Illinois Senate. Political strategy meetings and face-to-face candidate interviews are happening all across the state led by REALTOR® volunteers and IAR local Government Affairs Directors (GADs) to prepare for the important decisions that the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Trustees make regarding support of candidates for federal, state and local office in the November 6 General Election.

The bottom line for deciding which candidates to support: Will the candidate be supportive of REALTOR® issues and promote a healthy economic environment for the business of real estate?

Remember, REALTORS® can make a difference in this election!

We know REALTORS® vote. In the 2010 election, nearly 70% of REALTORS® who were registered turned out to vote, compared to 51% among voters overall.

Stay informed about the candidates who support the real estate business and make sure you are registered to vote [link http://www.elections.il.gov/ ] by October 9, 2012. Learn more atwww.IARActionCenter.org (IAR member login required).