In May, over 50 Chicago REALTORS® traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Association of REALTORS® Legislative Meetings. These meetings advance the work of NAR – protecting property ownership and advancing commercial and residential markets through a series of forums, educational sessions and meetings with Capitol Hill representatives.
2024 REALTOR® Legislative Priorities:
These are the issues our members met with members of Congress to address.
Update America’s Tax Law to Increase Access to Homeownership
Addressing housing affordability starts with adding to the nation’s severely limited inventory. The U.S. is facing an underbuilding gap of 5.5 million units, translating to a $4.4 trillion of underinvestment in housing. America’s tax law can and must do more to promote homeownership, build stable communities and boost economic growth.
Ensure Equal Access to Professional Representation and Support Fair Housing
As stewards of the right to own, use and transfer private property, REALTORS® know an open housing market free from discrimination benefits consumers, communities and the American economy. Yet, more than 50 years after passage of the federal Fair Housing Act, the homeownership rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans lag behind that of White Americans. The LGBTQ+ community continues to face widespread discrimination in housing.
Read more about these legislative priorities at flyin.realtor.
Stay Up-to-Date on National Legislative Issues Impacting You
Get an inside look at the advocacy work of the National Association of REALTORS® with the newly launched Advocacy Scoop podcast.
The Advocacy Scoop is dedicated to peeling back the curtain on the advocacy operation of the world’s largest trade association. The real estate sector makes up nearly 20% of the entire U.S. economy, and NAR’s advocacy work is critical for housing affordability and protecting private property rights. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how NAR’s advocacy operation works, its many successes and how the advocacy team is faring on some of NAR’s biggest legislative fights. Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and Director of Advocacy Communications Patrick Newton will also share insights on the 2024 Election, as well as stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
Federal Political Coordinators: Our Link to Congress
Thank you to our Federal Political Coordinators who volunteer their time to keep members of the Senate and House of Representatives up-to-date on REALTOR® issues. These members provide education and materials to our legislators to ensure they understand how each issue affects their districts.
Every member of Congress is assigned a REALTOR® called a Federal Political Coordinator or FPC. FPCs are a specially selected group of 535 REALTORS® who are the voice and the face of real estate to our federal lawmakers, playing a pivotal role in REALTOR® advocacy.
- Matt Farrell, Corcoran Urban Real Estate, Sen. Dick Durbin
- Nancy Suvarnamani, CENTURY 21 S.G.R., Sen. Tammy Duckworth
- Sonia Anaya, America REal Estate, Inc., Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García
- Tommy Choi, Keller Williams ONEChicago, Rep. Mike Quigley
- Marki Lemons Ryhal, EXIT Strategy Realty, Rep. Jonathan Jackson
- Michelle Mills Clement, Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Rep. Robin Kelly
- Megan Oswald, Coldwell Banker Realty, Rep. Delia Ramirez
- Matt Silver, Corcoran Urban Real Estate, Rep. Brad Schneider