IAR Advocacy Program Hard At Work!!!

As most of you know, the Illinois Association of REALTORS introduced the Advocacy Program. The Advocacy Initiative provides additional fuel to the GAD program by providing funding for media and public awareness campaigns concerning local ordinances and ballot issues that clearly demonstrate that REALTORS are integral members of the community.

The Advocacy Program has already been instrumental on key issues in Illinois.

The following are projects that were funded by the new IAR Advocacy Program:

Issue/Project: Campaign to Oppose Proposed Gross Receipts Tax(GRT)

The Advocacy Program undertook several activities to oppose the Governor’s proposal. Using an economic consulting firm, two studies were completed which showed the GRT’s effects on: 1)the cost of newly-constructed housing; and 2) the state’s economy, particularly construction employment. Also funded by Advocacy was the promotion and distribution of the studies’ findings to the media and state legislators. IAR contributed $50,000 to the paid media campaign of the business groups’ coalition as well as the costs of the GRT Lobby Day on April 18th.
Status: The Illinois House rejected the proposal on May 10th.


Issue/Project: Campaign to Oppose Proposed Increase in the State Transfer Tax (SB 445 and HB 728)

Both bills proposed to increase the state transfer tax in a graduated basis with higher rates(up to $10 per thousand) applicable to properties with a sales price over $500,000. A separate bill in the House would have all allowed non-home rule municipalities to impose a transfer tax. (Currently, in Illinois, only home rule units may impose a transfer tax after approval in a referendum.) Funds were used to send a postcard to 60,000 homeowners in 8 targeted Senate districts; the piece requested homeowners to contact their legislators and urge a NO vote on these bills and other transfer tax-related bills.

Status: None of the legislative proposals advanced out of chamber of origin. However, on May 30th, a new proposal was introduced in the Illinois House which would impose a new transfer tax of $3 per thousand in the City of Chicago with revenues earmarked for the CTA & RTA. The status of this proposal is still pending in the House. Advocacy funds were used to send out a Call-To-Action to all members on this issue, urging members to contact their state legislators and request a NO vote. As of June 12th, over 5,000 e-mails have been sent to legislators from REALTORS on this proposal.


Issue/Project: Various Informational Brochures for Members and the Public

Topics of completed brochures: Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Special Service Areas and Zoning. With these, a total of 361,000 brochures have been distributed to date.

Upcoming brochures: “Buying a Condo” piece for home purchasers; an informational brochure on property tax exemptions and how to appeal property taxes; and IAR will obtain and customize two of NAR’s Mortgage/Subprime informational brochures for free distribution to members.
All brochures are free to the membership!!!!!