REALTOR® Awards

deadline for All nominations is March 31st, 2025:

Applications from nominees are due on April 7th, 2025.

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. 
Nominate A REALTOR® of the Year

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.
Nominate A Commercial REALTOR®

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. 
Nominate A Community Service Recipient

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. 
Nominate An Affiliate

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.
Nominate A Managing Broker

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. 
Nominate A Political Advocate

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. 
Nominate An Industry Partner

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. 
Nominate A Rising Star

Meet Previous Award Recipients

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

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