Amendments to the association’s bylaws were voted on by the membership on August 20th, 2026 at the Summer Soiree and Annual Business Meeting. All amendments were approved.
What Was Updated?
Article XII – Board of Directors
Following a review of the association’s governance structure, informed by three years of participation in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Exceptional Boards program, the association’s broader Governance Excellence initiative, Board feedback, the Board Self-Assessment, review of the association’s current governing documents, and a recommendation from the Board Composition Presidential Advisory Group, this amendment reduces the overall Board of Directors composition from 20 to 15 Directors, with a staggered implementation plan that begins in 2027 for Fiscal Year 2028.
The amendment preserves regional representation, maintains automatic Board representation for the CommercialForum Committee Chair and Public Policy Coordinating Committee Chair, reduces the President-Elect REALTOR® appointments from two to one and replaces the current President-Elect appointed non-voting Affiliate position with the opportunity for up to one Affiliate Member to serve as a voting At-Large Director, and reduces the number of At-Large Directors from eleven to eight. The amendment also authorizes a temporary 2-year expansion of the At-Large Director count should the association acquire or merge with another association in the future.
To ensure the At-Large Directors that serve staggered 2-year terms are balanced in size, the transition will happen over two election years. In the 2027 election, only 4 At-Large Directors shall be elected, temporarily allowing 9 At-Large Directors and a total director count of 16. And in the 2028 election, only 4 At-Large Directors will be elected, bringing the At-Large Director count to 8 and the total director count to 15. After the transition, the Board shall be comprised of:
- 3 Officer Directors: The President, President-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer
- 1 Immediate Past President
- 8 At-Large Directors serving staggered 2-year terms, at least one of which shall be from each of the regions depicted in the regional map of the policy manual and up to one may be an Affiliate member.
- 1 Public Policy Coordinating Committee Director
- 1 CommercialForum Committee Director
- 1 President-Elect Appointed Director who shall be a REALTOR® member
Article XII – Nominating Committee Composition
This amendment adds the association’s Secretary/Treasurer-Elect as an automatic member of the Nominating Committee. This increases the committee’s total membership from 12 to 13 and helps ensure incoming officers have the opportunity to participate during the nomination process.
Article XVIII – Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
This amendment expands MLS participation eligibility to also include real estate professionals holding a current, valid real estate license by an appropriate state regulatory agency in Illinois or in another state who is a principal, partner, corporate officer or branch office manager acting on behalf of a principal and to any professional licensed or certified by an appropriate state regulatory agency in Illinois or in another state to engage in the appraisal of real property.
Following MRED’s changes to its Operating Agreement earlier this year, this bylaw amendment allows the association to offer MLS access as a standalone subscription to eligible brokerages and appraisers without requiring REALTOR® membership. MLS Only is a subscription for MLS access and does not include REALTOR® membership or its associated benefits.
For additional questions about this amendment, please contact questions@chicagorealtor.com.
Background on Bylaws
The Chicago Association of REALTORS® regularly conducts a thorough review of its Bylaws to ensure they remain accurate, relevant and in alignment with industry standards, governing documents and applicable laws. Regular review is critical to maintaining a strong governance framework, allowing us to proactively address changes in the real estate industry, ensure consistency in our policies and keep our governing documents clear and enforceable.
Review the summary of proposed changes here.
Review the current bylaws here.