When it comes to real estate not only in Illinois, but also throughout the country, there’s one person who has had a significant hand in how we do business: Marion Valle of Valle Realty. Valle’s impressive real estate career has spanned over 50 years and has had a marked impact on real estate.
Valle’s impact on the real estate industry is seen within the historic appointments and positions he has held. He was the first full-time Commissioner of Real Estate for the State of Illinois. During this time, he helped to build the foundation for the regulation of real estate in Illinois as we know it today. He also established the educational requirements that prospective real estate agents must complete before taking their licensing exam.
After his tenure as Commissioner, Valle was appointed by the 1980 National Association of REALTORS® President Ralph Pritchard to lead the creation of the association’s Political Affairs Division, oversaw the association’s RPAC and assisted with the association’s lobbying efforts. During this time, Valle encouraged members to become active in the association’s advocacy efforts.
Following this position, Valle became Senior Vice President of Seay & Thomas. He became president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® in 1991 and played an integral part in merging the Chicago Association of REALTORS® with the North Side Real Estate Board. This merger was a critical step towards Fair Housing in Illinois, as it provided members with the same access to properties through the MLS. During its inception, our membership increased from approximately 3,500 members to over 10,000. Additionally, he brought his knowledge of RPAC to the association and began CARPAC.
Valle is also a founding trustee of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Education Foundation. He worked to charter the Foundation and provide scholarships for real estate education, as well as charitable grants for organizations that positively impact the city of Chicago. Valle’s involvement throughout the fabric of the Foundation is actively demonstrated through his valued insight, passion, strategic input and ambassadorship. Without his continuous leadership, tenacity and forethought, the Foundation would not be what it is today.
Valle’s dedication and determination to make all of Chicago’s neighborhoods vibrant, diverse places to live, work and play shows throughout his career and his work. Congratulations, Marion, on your Hall of Fame induction!
PATHWAY TO THE HALL OF FAME: MARION VALLE
The newest inductee to the Hall of Fame, Marion Valle, has dedicated his career to making all of Chicago’s neighborhoods vibrant, diverse places to live, work and play.
- Marion Valle was born and raised in Cedar Point, Illinois, a small town in the central part of the state.
- 1964: Marion Valle graduates from Bradley University with a degree in industrial engineering.
- 1974: Valle is appointed as the first full time Real Estate Commissioner for the state of Illinois and helps establish the regulation of real estate that we know today.
- 1980: Valle is hired by the National Association of REALTORS® to lead the creation of their Political Affairs Division and RPAC.
- 1982: Valle joins Seay & Thomas as their Vice President and begins his involvement with the Chicago Board of REALTORS®.
- 1990: Valle becomes President of the Chicago Board of REALTORS®. During his tenure, he oversees the merger between the Chicago Board of REALTORS® and North Side Association of REALTORS®, which created the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.
- 1991: Valle works with Sheldon Good, Good Realty Group, to establish the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation, which provides scholarships to current and potential REALTORS® and gives charitable donations to organizations throughout Chicago.
- 2023: Marion Valle gets inducted into the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Hall of Fame.