On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the Dearborn REALTIST® Board (DRB) co-hosted a Legislative Symposium for the City of Chicago’s City Council Black Caucus at U.S. Cellular Field. The meeting was well attended, with 10 Aldermen and more than two dozen DRB members in attendance. Sarah Ware, C.A.R.’s Vice Chairperson of Public Policy, and current and future board members Sonia Anaya and Nykea Pippion-McGriff represented C.A.R.’s volunteer leadership.
DRB Members Mark Buford and Gerald Williams, who currently serves as C.A.R. Fair Housing Forum Chairperson, made presentations on “Democracy in Housing” and “Driving Community Economic Growth: Opportunities for Chicago Communities.” The presentations intrigued Alderman Toni Foulkes. “What we saw here needs to be brought to the community…we need to educate our constituents,” she said.
After the DRB Presentations, the audience was addressed by Black Caucus Chairman Roderick Sawyer of the 6th Ward (Greater Grand Crossing, West Chesterfield and Chatham). Chairman Sawyer told the group that he was a co-sponsor on the Ordinance requiring financial institutions to accept municipal deposits to provide a scorecard of loans to small-business owners, entrepreneurs and affordable housing not-for-profits; the ordinance is being championed by Treasurer Kurt Summers. Future initiatives and synergies between DRB and Black Caucus include crafting a legislative agenda.
C.A.R. was glad to provide the assistance needed to make this meeting happen as one of the tenets of the Strategic Partnership Agreement executed by C.A.R. and DRB. REALTORS® are recognized as leaders of economic development and the betterment of neighborhoods in the 21st century. Ensuring that the needs of communities of color are addressed only helps the entire real estate market of Chicago and strengthens the REALTOR® family and the REALTOR® brand.
(L to R): Tracey Taylor (DRB President and C.A.R. Member), Hon. Greg Mitchell (7th Ward), Hon. Howard Brookins (21st Ward), Hon. Walter Burnett (27th Ward), Hon. Rod Sawyer (6th Ward and Chairman of the Black Caucus), Hon. Michael Scott, Jr. (24th Ward), Hon. Toni Foulkes (16th Ward), Hon. Will Burns (4th Ward), Hon. David Moore (17th Ward), Hon. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), Mark Buford (DRB Board Member) attended the C.A.R. and DRB Legislative Symposium on Tuesday, July 28 at U.S. Cellular Field.