The Chicago Association of REALTORS®, the “Voice for Real Estate” in Chicago since 1883, represents 16,000+ members from all real estate specialties including commercial sales, development, property management, appraisal, auctions and residential sales.
Learn how we help our 16,000+ members grow their businesses and empower property owners. Membership options are available for licensed real estate professionals and those affiliated with the real estate industry!
Connect with Chicago’s real estate communities and build meaningful relationships! Organized by our own members, we host almost 70+ virtual and in-person events every year.
REALTORS® Real Estate School offers all kinds of real estate licensing and training. Browse self-paced, online training or live classes in our modern, downtown classrooms!
How can we help your business succeed? Your membership includes multiple resource guides on industry topics, tools to increase your knowledge and market statistics to help your serve your communities.
This is a virtual event. On the day of the event, a reminder email with the link will be sent two hours prior to the event start time. You must be logged into your Eventbrite account using the same email used to register to join the event.
Registration will close Tuesday, April 7 at 8:30 AM.
You’re invited to Coffee with Your GAD, an informal meeting to discuss legislative issues affecting the Chicago real estate market!
We’re excited to welcome Executive Director Jessica Caffery of the Cook County Land Bank as our special guest. She will share an overview of the Cook County Land Bank, discuss its impact on communities and highlight ways REALTORS® can learn more and support the organization’s mission.
WHAT IS A “GAD”?
Your Chicago Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Director (GAD) will provide an overview of our current advocacy initiatives and concerns. This is your opportunity to understand how policy is being crafted and what the GAD is doing at City Hall and the Cook County Building. We discuss it all & the politics, policies, proposed laws and personnel impacting your clients and your business. You can also expect occasional drop-ins from elected officials and policymakers.
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS
We want to hear from you too! Coffee with Your GADs encourages two-way dialogue. Come and share what you’re seeing in the market and issues of concern! Please note this will be an interactive and collaborative event among all attendees. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate by having their video turned on throughout the event.
Guest Speaker
JESSICA CAFFERY Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority
Jessica Caffrey is a transformative real estate executive with more than 20 years of public sector experience in community development and property revitalization. Since she was appointed Executive Director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority in December 2022, Jessica has led with a mission-driven approach to turn vacant, tax-delinquent properties into thriving community assets, delivering unprecedented results that have reshaped neighborhoods across Cook County.
Under Jessica’s leadership, the Land Bank achieved its most successful fiscal year in 2025, generating a record $9.6 million in revenue and exceeding all performance targets.
Jessica led the agency’s landmark 10-year economic impact study, which revealed that CCLBA has rehabilitated over 2,000 properties now over 2400, generated $1.8 billion in economic impact, and created more than 1,400 jobs, directly strengthening local economies and renewing confidence in historically disinvested neighborhoods.
In 2025, Jessica expanded the Land Bank’s reach through strategic partnerships, which demonstrated how vacant properties can become community anchors for workforce development and economic opportunity.
Previously, Jessica managed Cook County’s 234-property portfolio totaling over 19 million square feet, leading the redevelopment of the historic Old Cook County Hospital. At the Chicago Housing Authority, she directed a $200 million program creating more than 11,800 mixed-income housing units.
A recognized thought leader, Jessica frequently speaks on equitable urban development and community-led revitalization, including at the City Club of Chicago and industry panels on Women in Real Estate.
Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, a master’s in real estate from Roosevelt University, and is a proud graduate of the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy. Her commitment to unlocking the potential of underserved communities reflects her belief that inclusive investment creates stronger, more resilient neighborhoods for all.
REGISTER BELOW
Event Policy
Space is limited for this virtual event.
By registering to participate in this event, you hereby acknowledge and consent that The Chicago Association of REALTORS® (and their assignees) may record you during the event and may use those recordings for the Association’s purposes, including but not limited to news, publicity and fundraising purposes, without further compensation to you. All such recordings are the sole property of the Association.
Professional recordings intended for commercial purposes without prior written authorization from association leadership are strictly prohibited. Learn more about the association’s Professional Recording Policy.
The Chicago Association of REALTORS® is committed to creating a safe and inclusive experience for our community and providing a friendly and welcoming environment for all. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Please act professionally and follow our Code of Conduct at all Chicago REALTORS ® events. Do you have any disabilities which require special accommodation? If so, please identify any special accommodation by emailing events@chicagorealtor.com at least one week prior to the event date.
