When REALTORS® get involved, legislators listen

Illinois REALTORS®' Let's Talk Real Estate programs are REALTOR® town halls held in the home districts of Illinois' state legislators and members of Congress. For decades REALTORS® have set the standard for legislative advocacy in the halls of our state and nation's capitols with events such as Capitol Conference in Springfield and REALTOR® Legislative Meetings in Washington, DC. These "lobby days" are a show of force, bringing hundreds to Springfield and thousands to Washington, DC, but the association's Let's Talk Real Estate events are a more relaxed opportunity for REALTORS® to spend time discussing real estate priorities in depth with their elected officials.

Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) and State Legislative Coordinators (SLCs) are appointed volunteer REALTORS® who have a close relationship with their Congressperson or state legislator. Often the FPC or SLC has a family tie or business history with the elected official. This level of access is often referred to as a "cell phone" level relationship; the FPC or SLC can text or call their elected official directly on key topics.

Let's Talk Real Estate events are an opportunity to let the SLC's and FPC's relationship with their elected official shine. Together with Illinois REALTORS®' advocacy team, the SLC or FPC secure a date and venue to host their elected official for the town hall. Invitations are sent to every REALTOR® who lives in the elected official's district to attend. The local Governmental Affairs Director will also invite Association Executives, board leaders and Government Affairs Committee members whose local associations overlap with the elected official's district. The events are often hosted during breakfast or lunch to encourage REALTORS®, along with the elected officials and their staff, to network and mingle.

The programs start with Illinois REALTORS® advocacy staff introducing the SLC or FPC and their elected official, followed by remarks from the elected official. Then the SLC or FPC have a question-and-answer session with the elected official, most often followed by questions from the audience. While it looks informal, a lot of preparation goes into making sure the events are on topic and productive. Prior to the event, Illinois REALTORS® advocacy staff research the legislators' positions on priority issues. This information is woven into talking points which are reviewed prior to the event with the SLC or FPC. If the SLC or FPC opt to, the advocacy staff will also do a line-by-line run-through of the script to rehearse. Legislative offices often require a lot of information in advance as well. Advocacy staff and the SLC or FPC work in tandem to make sure the legislator's scheduler, district director, legislative staff or chief of staff have all the information they need in advance, sometimes hosting preparatory meetings and creating written memos for the legislator's office.

Let's Talk Real Estate events are a great way for REALTORS® to build stronger relationships with elected officials and advocate on the issues important to the industry.