No easy out for Illinois fiscal mess

by Stephanie SieversJanuary 25, 2012

Political analyst Paul Green’s assessment of today’s political climate: Illinois continues to be a fiscal mess, the redrawn legislative map isn’t  likely to bring much change to the state’s political landscape and voters can expect the Republican Party’s choice for presidential candidate to go down to the wire. Green, director of the Institute for Politics [...]

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Poll shows Illinois residents overwhelmingly aspire to home ownership

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 25, 2012

Is the American Dream of home ownership dead? Just completed research presented to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® shows that just the opposite is true. A survey conducted earlier this month with IAR’s partner, Strategic Guidance Systems, gauged how Illinois residents perceive the housing market from a lifestyle and economic standpoint. Among the findings presented [...]

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Congratulations to the 2012 REALTOR® of the Year

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 25, 2012

Congratulations to the 2012 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year, Kay Wirth of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Crystal Lake. The Illinois Association of REALTORS® gives the honor annually to a member who shows outstanding integrity and dedication to excellence in enhancing the profession. Kay Wirth of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest in Crystal Lake is named 2012 REALTOR® of the Year [...]

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Raising money for RPAC (And having fun doing it)

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 25, 2012

Those attending the Public Policy Conference hosted by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® got a chance to raise thousands of dollars for RPAC, Tuesday night and bid on some sweet swag. Items ranging from a dinner with IAR CEO Gary Clayton to sports tickets went under the gavel. And a silent auction further boosted the amount [...]

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RPAC: Making a difference through a culture of giving

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

REALTORS® seeking to make a political difference are finding themselves facing one of the most expensive election cycles ever. That means REALTOR® organizations must create a culture of giving to RPAC to support political agendas, said Joel Searby with Gainesville, Fla.-based Strategic Guidance Systems. Searby works with the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and REALTOR® organizations [...]

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Ready for our closeup in East Peoria

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

The April issue of Illinois REALTOR® will feature a story on how the Illinois Association of REALTORS® fights for its 41,000 members when it comes to regulation that inhibits the real estate industry. So in addition to the happenings at the Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria, we wedged in a photo shoot for the cover. Do [...]

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REALTOR® outreach forges community development successes

by Jon BroadbooksJanuary 24, 2012

Members of a task force focusing on community development heard success stories from Illinois cities large and small Tuesday at a meeting of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Ill. One of the most ambitious projects was a neighborhood canvassing project which involved IAR and the [...]

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Network and find ways to earn your next designation.

by Deena Zimmerman, REALTOR®January 23, 2012

I have talked with many REALTORS® and other industry professionals since the New Year and it seems, to me at least, that EVERYBODY is absolutely swamped with new business…and business that is closing! I think this is a great sign of a successful year to come. I truly believe with hard word and a positive [...]

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Peoria area REALTORS®: Illinois cities already have tools to deal with blight

by Kristie EngermanJanuary 19, 2012

At its December meeting, the Peoria Area Association of REALTORS® (PAAR) Government Affairs Committee hosted Peoria At-Large City Councilman Chuck Weaver who presented his proposal of a land bank for Peoria. He recently visited the Genesee County Land Bank in Flint, Michigan, and is beginning to examine the land banking concept as a way for [...]

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Countdown to the 2012 Illinois Primary

by Julie SullivanJanuary 18, 2012

Make sure your voice counts in the March 20 Primary and beyond! REALTORS® can take pride in the fact that statistics show that WE VOTE! That is so important and vital to ensuring that our elected officials will understand and support issues of importance to private property owners. 2012 marks an important election year due [...]

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