REALTOR® Awards

REALTOR® of the Year

The REALTOR® of the Year is the highest and most coveted award that can be bestowed by  one’s peers. This award is based on the outstanding contributions of a REALTOR® to the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. The recipient must demonstrate what is called “REALTOR® Spirit”, which is embodied by faithfulness to the principles of the REALTOR® organization, professionalism and the Code of Ethics. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Recognized as an industry leader. 
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to serve as a formal and/or informal mentor. 
  • Demonstrated leadership contributions and commitment to the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and related organizations that has significantly impacted the advancement and/or recognition of the profession. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Nominees must have been a primary Chicago Association of REALTORS® member for five consecutive years and a REALTOR® for at least ten years with active leadership involvement at the local, state and national level. 
  • Must be a consistent RPAC Major Investor. 
  • Must hold a current, active real estate license in good standing with IDFPR. 
  • Current REALTOR® Awards Committee members and past REALTORS® of the Year award recipients are not eligible for this award. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

CommercialForum Achievement Award

The CommercialForum Achievement Award is based on the outstanding contributions of a member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® CommercialForum to the Chicagoland commercial real estate industry. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • A committed commercial real estate practitioner who focuses on commercial real estate. 
  • Demonstrated positive leadership impacting the local association. 
  • Active volunteer involvement and participation with CommercialForum and the association. 
  • A strong commitment to the advancement of the commercial real estate industry. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All members of the CommercialForum and the Chicago Association of REALTORS® are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be active participants of the CommercialForum. Active participation with the REALTOR® association at the local, state, and national level is a plus. 
  • Must hold a current, active real estate license in good standing with IDFPR. 
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors, past CommercialForum Achievement Award recipients and REALTOR® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • A fair share contributor to RPAC is a plus. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.

REALTOR® Community Service Award

The REALTOR® Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a local REALTOR® who has gone above and beyond in their community. This award celebrates a REALTOR® who is making a difference in their community through their personal contribution of volunteer work. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Recognized leader in their respective communities. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All REALTORS® and members of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be a primary or secondary member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® for at least three years. 
  • Must hold a current, active real estate license in good standing with IDFPR. 
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors, past REALTOR® Community Service and REALTOR® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • A fair share contributor to RPAC is a plus. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

Affiliate of the Year Award

The Affiliate of the Year award is the highest honor bestowed on an Affiliate member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. This award is based on the outstanding contributions, achievements and commitments of an affiliate to the association and the real estate industry. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Recognized as an industry leader with exemplary performance. 
  • Active volunteer involvement with the association. 
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to serve as a formal and/or informal mentor. 
  • Demonstrated leadership contributions and commitment to the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and related organizations that has significantly impacted the advancement and/or recognition of the profession. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All Chicago Association of REALTORS® affiliate members are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be a Chicago Association of REALTORS® affiliate member for at least three years in good standing. 
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors, past Affiliate of the Year Award recipients and REALTOR® Awards Committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

REALTOR® Managing Broker Award

The REALTOR® Designated Managing Broker of the Year Award is awarded to two managing brokers who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day obligations within their brokerage. The awards are given based on the number of licenses under the direct management of the managing broker: 

  • 1–50 licensees 
  • 51 and above licensees 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Demonstrated adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. 
  • General reputation for high professional competence. 
  • Recognized business accomplishments (i.e., outstanding service to clients and licensees within the brokerage, creative marketing and/or training programs, innovation, etc.). 
  • Demonstrated ability and willfulness to serve as a formal and/or informal mentor. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All REALTOR® designated managing brokers of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be a primary Chicago Association of REALTORS® member and a REALTOR® Designated Managing Broker for at least three years. 
  • Must be a REALTOR® Designated Managing Broker in good standing.
  • Must have current active involvement at the local level (i.e., support of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® as a committee volunteer, attend association events and participate in activities within his/her organization)
  • Must be a fair share RPAC contributor. 
  • Must hold a current, active real estate license in good standing with IDFPR. 
  • Must provide two endorsements: 
    • One from either an internal owner, licensee or managing broker peer within the same organization/franchise. 
    • One from an external real estate-related business professional outside of their own organization/franchise.
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors and REALTORS® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Chicago REALTORS® Political Advocacy Award

The Political Advocacy Award is based on the outstanding contributions of a REALTOR® or affiliate member in the public policy, political and/or legislative advocacy area and in keeping with the REALTOR® Party spirit to “Vote…Act…Invest.” 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Must be recognized as an industry leader with current and active advocacy involvement at the local, state and/or national level. 
  • Must regularly participate in REALTOR® Lobby Days and local government affairs activities. 
  • Must have active political volunteer involvement with the association (see examples below). 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • All Chicago Association of REALTORS® and affiliate members are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be a primary Chicago Association of REALTORS® member for a minimum of three years in good standing. 
  • An RPAC Major investor .
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors, previous Political Advocacy Award recipients and REALTOR® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 
  • Other extraordinary volunteerism and/or service in governmental affairs, such as:
    • Serving as an Illinois REALTORS® State Legislative Contact, National Association of REALTORS® Federal Political Coordinator or comparable political advocacy liaison role. 
    • Meetings with legislators, regulators or other officials. 
    • Testifying on legislative matters important to the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Illinois REALTORS® and/or National Associations of REALTORS®. 
    • Serving on a Public Policy Committee at the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Illinois REALTORS® and/or National Associations of REALTORS®. 
    • Educating REALTORS® and/or the public on advocacy matters, private property rights, housing and economic development issues. 

Industry Partner Member Award

The Industry Partner Member Award is bestowed upon any member of one of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Industry Partners and is based on the outstanding contributions within their industry partner organization, and to the Chicagoland real estate industry. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • Recognized as an industry leader with current and active involvement within a Chicago Association of REALTORS® Industry Partner. 
  • Demonstrates positive leadership impacting the local association and beyond. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • A minimum of three years in the real estate industry. 
  • A minimum of three years in the Industry Partner organization at the time of application. 
  • Current and active involvement with the Industry Partner organization at the local, state, regional and/or national level. 
  • Must provide one endorsement with the application from an Industry Partnerorganization’s leadership.
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors and REALTOR® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

RISING STAR AWARD

The Rising Star award recognizes an emerging leader within the Chicago Association of REALTORS® whose early accomplishments distinguish them as a future leader in the industry and beyond through their service, commitment, leadership, responsibility and impact. 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINEES: 

  • An early career professional, or a professional new to volunteering with the association. 
  • Active volunteer involvement with the association. 
  • Strong leadership qualities. 
  • A strong commitment to the advancement of the real estate industry. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

  • REALTORS® and affiliate members of the association are eligible for this award. 
  • Nominees must be a primary or secondary member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® for at least two years. 
  • Must hold a current, active real estate license in good standing with IDFPR. 
  • Current Chicago Association of REALTORS® officers, directors, past Rising Star Award recipients and REALTOR® Awards committee members are not eligible for this award. 
  • A fair share contributor to RPAC is a plus. 
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

Meet Previous Award Recipients

Presented each year at our Inaugural Gala, REALTOR Award recipients are honored onstage.

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