Champaign County Association of REALTORS® celebrates community during its 100th anniversary events By Bill Kozar, Content Marketing Specialist
S
everal local elected officials, past presidents and board members joined current leaders, staff and association members to mark the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) 100th Anniversary Open House at the CCAR offices in Savoy on July 27. Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin and Savoy Village President Joan Dykstra presented CCAR with official proclamations honoring the association’s positive contributions to the area during its century of existence. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis sent a letter of congratulations. Also joining the celebration were Champaign City Council Member (and REALTOR®) Angie Brix (Keller Williams Realty) and Illinois REALTORS® Local Governmental Affairs Director Jim Clayton. CCAR helps members by promoting essential and unique programs and services, says Linda Green, CCAR CEO, while providing ethical and professional services to consumers through communication, educational services and advocating for the protection of private property rights. “CCAR is the voice of real estate in Champaign County,” Green said. ”We work with legislators to help private property owners. For decades, we have been instrumental in protecting property ownership with legislation that helps fight discrimination, superfluous fees for property owners and extra fees on rentals and property managers. We support fair housing and fair taxation. We help with legislation that will support commercial investment property issues, as well as private property ownership issues.” One of the association’s past presidents, Matt Difanis, is set to become Illinois REALTOR®’ president in 2018. Currently the president-elect, Difanis takes office at the Inaugural Gala in October. He is the co-owner of RE/MAX Realty Associates, with offices in Champaign, Mahomet and Monticello. The July open house was the second in a series of events scheduled to commemorate the anniversary for CCAR members, past members, business associates, friends and elected officials. The first came on May 21 with the Biggest Open House Sunday in the greater Champaign County area. The third event will be the Annual Awards Banquet/Gala scheduled for Oct. 27.
Members of CCAR at the 100th anniversary celebration.
More than 450 CCAR members work in the Champaign County area. Current officers include: • President Jim Waller of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group of Champaign, • President-elect Max McComb of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign, • Secretary-Treasurer Eric W. Porter of RE/MAX Realty Associates of Champaign and • Immediate Past President Stefanie Pratt of Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group of Champaign. The Board of Directors includes: • Jayme Ahlden of RE/MAX Realty Associates, • Scott Bechtel of Keller Williams Realty, • Kimberly Krisman of RE/MAX Realty Associates-Champaign, • Liz McDonald of the McDonald Group, • Alex Ruggieri of Sperry Van Ness/Ramshaw Real Estate • P.J. Trautman of Champaign County Realty. See more photos of the event at: www.bit.ly/CCAR100 Watch CCAR’s video of more than 30 of its past presidents at www.bit.ly/CCAR-pastprez
Oak Park Area Association commemorates 100th anniversary The Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS® celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 12 at its “100th Anniversary Plus Installation Ceremony” at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. The event featured dinner, dancing, drinks, memorabilia and a slide show featuring past presidents. Although the association’s name has changed several times 28 www.IllinoisRealtors.org
in its history, the Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS® serves 464 members and 26 affiliate members today. Michelle Kelly is the association executive. Officers include: President John Lawrence, Vice President Jonathan Zivojnovic, Treasurer Alice McMahon, Secretary Erica Cuneen and Immediate Past President Jane McClelland. The Oak Park Real Estate Board was established on July 24, 1917 with 13 members, including first President Edward H. Duff.