Membership Renewal Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes, dues and fees increased by 2.20%. REALTOR® dues increased by $16.00 and MLS fees increased by $12.00.

A: You can pay in full or in four installments. For a detailed breakdown of dues, fees and payment options, please visit our Renew Membership Page.

A: Yes! Paying your dues in full saves you $60 over the installment plan and keeps your membership active through September 30, 2027.

A: Choose the options that works best for you. Pay your total invoice in full by October 1^st or enjoy the convenience of spreading your total payment into four manageable installments over five months. All invoices are due upon receipt. If you choose the installment plan, please note there’s a small processing fee of $15 per installment, which totals $60. Plus, you can relax during the December holidays, there are no payments due during that time!  Here are the due dates for your invoices:

A: On August 3rd, you’ll receive an email to change your payment plan. Respond by August 23, 2026, if you’d like to switch plans. If you don’t reply, you’ll be invoiced the same way as last year, either in full or by installments, depending on your previous choice. To change your plan, use the link in the “pick your plan” email by August 23.

A: You will receive your invoice by email only. You can view and pay your invoice online using a credit or debit card. After August 30th, please log in to your account to make your online payment. The emailed invoice will include your Member ID, which is your account username.

A: Your invoice will be officially posted to your account by August 30^th, and you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s ready. As soon as the email arrives in your inbox, your invoice will be available for you to review and pay online. If you choose to pay your dues in full, your membership will be all set through September 30, 2027. If you choose the pay-in-full option but haven’t submitted your payment by October 1st, your membership, including MLS access, will be paused, and a $40 late fee will apply.

A:  Local, state and national REALTOR® dues and MRED MLS Fees (if applicable), and optional contributions to RPAC, CAR Foundation and REAL Property Alliance (RPA). These optional amounts can be adjusted online.

A: Absolutely! Setting up AutoPay is easy and gives you one less thing to worry about each year. You can enroll right when you pay your first invoice, or at any time by heading to the My Account section on ChicagoREALTOR.com. Simply having a card on file doesn’t automatically sign you up for AutoPay, you’ll want to take a couple of extra steps.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Log in to My Account and choose “Personal Services,” then click on “Manage Credit Card Information.”
• If you don’t have a card saved yet, select “Add Credit Card” and enter your information.
• Under “Autopayment Choices,” check the box for “Membership Dues & Fees” and hit Submit. You’re enrolled.
• If you already have a card, just click “Update” next to it, check the AutoPay box for your dues, and submit.

Once you’re set up, your payments will be handled automatically. If you ever need to make changes, you’re in complete control from your account dashboard.

A: To cancel AutoPay, log in to your account, go to “Manage Credit Card Information,” and uncheck the “Membership Dues & Fees” autopay box. Click submit and you’re all set! You can also delete your card if you want and hit “Delete Card.”

• If you’ve chosen to pay in full, your card will be charged for the total amount on September 22, 2026. Please double-check that your payment details are up to date.
• If you prefer the installment plan, your payments will be automatically deducted on these dates:
  • September 22, 2026
• • November 3, 2026
• • January 5, 2027
  • February 16, 2027
• Should you want to update or remove your credit card from our auto-pay system, simply log in at ChicagoREALTOR.com and select “Manage Credit Card Information” for quick changes.

A: You will be emailed if your auto-pay transaction is unsuccessful. You’ll have 7 days to correct the issue. If unpaid by the suspension date, services will be paused, and a $40 late fee will apply.

A: Log in to your account at ChicagoREALTOR.com using your Member ID and pay online with a credit or debit card.

A: Your emailed invoice includes your Member ID, which is also your MLS ID. This ID is in the top right corner of your emailed invoice and serves as the username for your account. Paying your account online with a credit card is the fastest, easiest, and most secure form of payment. Log in to your account to make your online payment.

A: While we encourage paying online for convenience, you may visit the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Michigan Ave office during business hours. No cash payments will be accepted at any Chicago Association REALTORS® location. Paying your account online with a credit/debit card is the fastest, easiest, and most secure form of payment. Log in to your account to make your online payment. Your emailed invoice includes your Member ID which is the username to your account.

A: No. Cash payments are not accepted.

A: No. Declined phone payments will not incur a fee.

A: Yes. Your managing broker is notified whenever your account is late or suspended.

Yes. If you need extra time to renew your membership, you can submit an online request or call us to discuss your options. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the Extension Form.

A: You may request an extension for each installment; however, extensions are approved on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

Yes, receiving an approved extension allows for your membership, benefits, and services to remain active past its original due date, however, members with an approved extension will incur a $40 late fee.

A: Refunds are only given based on the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Refund Policy. If you’re unsure about staying active for 2026/2027, it’s a good idea to reach out to a Member Care Specialist before making your payment, and they can help you figure out if you qualify for a refund.

A: Yes. If your check is returned for insufficient funds, you’ll be charged an $80 fee (covering both late and insufficient funds fees) in addition to repaying the original amount.

A: Yes. To belong to a local association such as the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, a REALTOR® must also join Illinois REALTORS® and the National Associations of REALTORS®. Local associations collect the dues for State and National.

A: RPAC ensures your issues and concerns remain at the forefront of public policymakers and government officials who can shape how you do business. RPAC covers Federal and State elections with a portion shared with the local Association. Your investment supports your business. Learn more about RPAC & its importance to your business.

A: Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amounts indicated are merely guidelines, and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts. The National Association of REALTORS® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Up to thirty percent (30%) of each contribution may be sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a. A copy of RPAC’s report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website www.elections.il.gov or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. Except as may be required by state or federal law, the Illinois REALTORS® PAC (Illinois RPAC) is not required to refund political contributions. However, a refund request made by a contributor within 30 days of the date his or her RPAC contribution is received will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information, visit our Tax Deductibility and Required Disclosures page.

A: The Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation provides scholarships and charitable grants to support real estate professionals and community housing initiatives.

Scholarships:

Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to more than 300 individuals, supporting national designations, post-licensing education, higher education, advocacy training, and property management. Scholarships are available to members, including pre-licensing aid for aspiring REALTORS®, target veterans, diverse communities, young professionals, and Black REALTORS®.

Charitable Grants:

Since 2014, the Foundation has led the association’s charitable and research initiatives, investing nearly $430,000 in local organizations focused on housing and community development. This support has enabled groups such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, and others to enhance lives and strengthen communities.

A: Yes, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization and contributions may be tax deductible depending on your tax situation. We recommend you consult with your tax advisor

For more information, visit our Tax Deductibility and Required Disclosures page.

A: REAL Property Alliance (RPA) provides insight and analysis for Illinois property owners and a voice for establishing sound real estate policy that promotes growth and seeks to limit taxes and regulations which can make it harder to live and work in the state.  

A: Members are encouraged to contribute an amount of their choosing; however, recommended minimum contributions significantly enhance the support for initiatives undertaken by the Chicago Association of REALTORS® on your behalf. We suggest that all members consider contributing $20 to RPAC, $20 to the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation, and $5 to the Real Property Alliance (RPA).