The Chicago Association of REALTORS® proudly presented our 139th Annual Inaugural Gala on Friday, September 23. During the festivities, we debuted our 2023 Board of Directors and honored several members for their contributions throughout the year, including the recipient of the Brian A. Bernardoni Public Official of the Year Award.
The Brian A. Bernardoni Public Official of the Year Award is given to an elected official who recognizes the importance of private property rights and has demonstrated a keen understanding of real estate matters, not only as a matter of policy, but how policy affects the day-to-day practitioner. Moreover, the elected official shows they are willing to listen to the advocacy efforts of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, as we are The Voice for Real Estate in Chicago.
Brian A. Bernardoni Public Official of the Year: Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner, 10th District
The Cook County Commissioner for the 10th district, Bridget Gainer is an advocate for the real estate community. She created the Cook County Land Bank, the region’s most comprehensive response to reducing the amount and impact of vacant land and abandoned buildings throughout Cook County, by bringing together REALTORS®, private developers, and civic and social leaders. She has done a variety of work with foreclosures. She also helped to support small businesses during COVID by hosting Small Business Administration sessions for business owners and assisted with sharing loan guidance. She advocates for sound tax policy, encourages neighborhood revitalization and fights for job training to help the workforce of tomorrow.