RVOICE

Nearly 90 percent of Illinois REALTORS® are registered to vote and they traditionally turn out to the polls at higher numbers than other groups. Will that change this year?

There is no doubt the election this fall will be like no other. There are concerns about in-person voting and crowded polling places as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. However, a new Illinois law should help ease some of the anxieties about voting in November.

In June, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law election code changes designed to make it easier for Illinois voters to cast their ballot in the 2020 Election by mail as well as to provide more opportunities for voting. Here are some of the key changes:

• Election authorities are required to send vote-by-mail applications for the Nov. 3 general election to the 5 million Illinois voters who participated in the 2018 general election, the 2019 municipal elections or the March 2020 primary.

• The law requires voters who submit an application for a mail-in ballot before Oct. 1 to get their ballot no later than Oct. 6.

• The law also makes Nov. 3, 2020, a holiday for schools, a move which will free up school buildings to be used as polling places on Election Day.

• Early voting hours will be expanded to 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends and holidays. • Election authorities will be allowed to provide curbside voting, in which voters can fill out the ballot outside of the polling place.

Whether it’s the candidates we are supporting (through RPAC) or referendum on policies affecting us, we are engaged.

In regard to referendum, Illinois REALTORS® will be involved in attempting to block new home rule powers and increases in municipal real estate transfer taxes. At press time, there is a Home Rule referendum on the November ballot in Crestwood (south Cook County). The city of Chicago had considered an increase in the Transfer Tax, but did not pursue it this year. We are expecting more municipalities to possibly look at transfer tax measures in the 2021 municipal elections as the revenue forecasts become clearer.

Contact me or your local Governmental Affairs Director to learn more about these measures.

Senior Director of Local Advocacy & Global Programs

Housing issues are quickly evolving in today’s pandemic environment. The Governmental Affairs team of Illinois REALTORS ® continues to track these issues and stay involved in policy discussions.

Most pressing has been the issue of evictions and the potential for a large number of filings in the near future. Much will depend on federal assistance measures. But local governments have stepped up as well with the city of Chicago, Cook County and other counties, including DuPage and Lake, creating rental assistance programs to help renters most impacted financially by COVID-19.

Additionally, some of the policy discussions, mainly in Chicago, have centered on new ways to help tenants in a variety of ways. Some of these new “protections” are pandemic-related and some are not. Illinois REALTORS ® will continue to advocate for housing providers who are also feeling financial distress (loss of rental income) due to COVID-19.

In three decades of lobbying for Illinois REALTORS®, Senior Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Julie Sullivan has built a reputation as an expert on industry issues and a tough but constructive negotiator who has earned the respect of legislators from around the state.

And her keen political knowledge, instincts and tenacity as an advocate has helped make the REALTORS® one of the most powerful voices at the State Capitol.

Sullivan will retire from Illinois REALTORS® at the end of 2020.

She was especially knowledgeable in legislative issues ranging from land use and zoning to environmental regulation, local government and real estate taxes.

In 2019, Sullivan was elected Speaker of the Illinois Third House, an organization of registered Illinois lobbyists. This high honor is bestowed for exemplary work ethic, integrity and years of service.

Sullivan was a Business and Industry Federation of Economic Concern (BIFEC) executive committee member, a trustee at her alma mater Eastern Illinois University and staffed many task forces and working groups for Illinois REALTORS®. She is a longtime major investor in RPAC.

Sullivan testifying on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives during a rare Committee of the Whole hearing in 2017. She was among a series of speakers advocating for a property tax freeze.

Sullivan poses with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

(l to r) Sullivan, St. Aubin, former state Rep. Lee Daniels, who served as Speaker of the Illinois House from 1995-1997, and former REALTOR ® and state Rep. Anne Zickus of Palos Hills.

(l to r) Sullivan, former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr. and Illinois REALTORS ® Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Greg St. Aubin. Jones served in the Illinois House and Senate and eventually presided as Senate President.