From Belvidere to Belleville, local governments locked arms with local REALTORS® to pass fair housing resolutions during Fair Housing Month in 2021.
Each year, April is recognized by Congress as Fair Housing Month in the United States to commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. This year, the Illinois REALTORS® encouraged the passage of fair housing proclamations by local government bodies across the state.
Sue Miller, Illinois REALTORS® President and McHenry City Council Member remarked, “As a REALTOR® and local city council member, I have witnessed firsthand the power of partnership in our shared mission to affirmatively further the goals of the Fair Housing Act.” Across Illinois, REALTORS® staff and volunteers worked with local governments to promote the importance of Fair Housing through the passage of resolutions and proclamations. Photos of the outreach efforts and copies of the resolutions can be viewed in the gallery.
The Fair Housing Act originally recognized four protected classes: race, color, religion, and national origin. Sex was added as a protected class in 1974 followed by disability and familial status in 1988. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website states that the purpose of the act is “to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community so that every person can live free.” The State of Illinois and local governments have additional Fair Housing protections including pregnancy, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, unfavorable military discharge, and criminal background.
“REALTORS® are respected community members, often holding local elected office. It is a natural fit to promote the importance of Fair Housing from the grassroots of city hall to the halls of Congress,” commented Jeff Baker, Illinois REALTORS® CEO.
All REALTORS® must abide by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice which outline duties that REALTORS® have to clients and customers, the public, and other REALTORS®. Article 10 of the NAR Code of Ethics provides that, “REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
To find out more about Illinois REALTORS® fair housing initiatives, check out the resources at our Fair Housing page.
REALTOR® Association of Southwestern Illinois President Celeste Wheeler (left) and RASI President-elect Karen Sheesley (right) joined the celebration.
When Winnebago County passed its fair housing resolution, (l to r) Local GAD Neeley Erickson, REALTOR® and County Board member Jean Crosby and Rockford Area REALTORS® CEO Conor Brown were on hand.
Members of the Heartland REALTOR® Organization showed their virtual support when the village of Spring Grove passed a fair housing resolution.
When Rockford Township passed its fair housing resolution, REALTOR® representatives included (l to r) Conor Brown, Natalie Mulhall, Local GAD Neeley Erickson, Jasper St. Angel and Carl Wasco.
Members of the Hometown Association of REALTORS® showed their appreciation for the city of Rock Falls when a fair housing resolution passed there.
When the City of Woodstock passed a fair housing resolution REALTOR® representatives included (l to r) Kevin Kalbach, Heartland CEO Jim Haisler, Heartland President Erin Dierks, Illinois REALTORS® President Sue Miller and Local GAD Neeley Erickson. On the far right is Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager.
Local GAD Neeley Erickson addresses the City of Woodstock during a recent meeting.
When the City of McHenry passed its fair housing resolution, those on hand were (l to r): City Administrator Derik Morefield, Kathie O’Neill of Heritage Title, Heartland CEO Jim Haisler, Illinois REALTORS® President Sue Miller, Heartland REALTORS® President Erin Dierks, REALTOR® Kevin Kalbach, Local GAD Neeley Erickson and Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson..
The REALTOR® Association of Northwestern Illinois showed its support for Freeport when it passed a fair housing resolution. On hand were (l to r): CEO Ginger Sreenan, REALTOR® Joan Welt, REALTOR® Faye Heilman, REALTOR® Joshua Longamore, Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller, REALTOR® Pam Borowski and REALTOR® Sue Altensey.
The City of Byron brought a crowd to its fair housing resolution ceremony.
When the city of Belvidere passed its fair housing resolution those in attendance included (l to r): Rockford Area REALTORS® CEO Conor Brown, REALTOR® Ginger Sreenan (next), REALTOR®Connie Kelly and Local GAD Neeley Erickson.
The Peoria Area Association of REALTORS® supported the city of Peoria when it passed a fair housing resolution, with none other than PAAR President Jason Catton present.
When the city of Quincy passed a fair housing resolution, REALTOR® Carol Shaffer and Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore showed the proclamation.
When the city of DeKalb passed its fair housing resolution, the ceremony included (l to r) City Manager Bill Nicklas, Local GAD Neeley Erickson and REALTOR® Dianne Hammon.
Rockford drew a crowd including Ginger Sreenan (fourth from left), Neeley Erickson and Conor Brown (fifth from right).
