Week of May 23, 2016

 Association & Industry News
Fair Housing Act: Criminal History-Based Practices & Policies 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urges housing providers to exercise caution when implementing criminal history policies or practices used to make housing decisions. MORe >  FAQs regarding excluding the use of arrest records in housing decisions can be found here. A presentation regarding this was recently given during the NAR Legislative Meetings. The PowerPoint from the presentation can be accessed here. If you have any questions, please contact MORe's Government Affairs Department at 630.324.8400.

Mainstreet Office Hours - May 30th
All Mainstreet offices will be closed on Monday, May 30th, in observance of Memorial Day. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 31st.
MORe Libertyville Office Open House - June 8th
Come out to the Libertyville Open House for food, networking and education on video, RPR, SEO and more! You may even win one of our door prizes which includes a Bluetooth SentriLock Box. MORe > 

Electronic License Pocket Cards Are Here!
IDFPR is no longer issuing paper license pocket cards. Now you can download and save your pocket card as a PDF file or screenshot on your smartphone or tablet so it is handy at all times. MORe > 
 Professional & Ethical Practices
Spotlight on the Code: Obligation to Protect Client's Interests
This week's spotlight is on Article 1, Obligation to Protect Client's Interests. Missed a previous week's spotlight? Check out the full series here.
 
SentriLock Best Practices Tip 
If you are showing property and the broker for the next appointment shows up early, ensure that you return the key to the lockbox and shut it securely. Even though the other broker is present and ready for the appointment, it is important to register both showings using the SentriLock lockbox. If you have any questions, please contact the Professional and Ethical Practices Department at 630.324.8400.   

Code of Ethics Tip
A SentriLock lockbox on a listing is not an all-access pass. Just because one has the tools to conduct business, it still means that one should conduct said business within the parameters of the license law and the Code of Ethics. Using your SentriCard or SentriSmart app to access a lockbox without an appointment is a violation of Article 3, Standard of Practice 3-9 of the Code of Ethics. If you have any questions, please contact the Professional and Ethical Practices Department at 630.324.8400.
 Government Affairs
Illinois Caucus at NAR Legislative Meetings
Watch the following video to take a look inside the Illinois REALTORS® caucus which took place during the 2016 NAR Legislative Meetings. Learn about the staggering array of issues REALTORS® are tracking and actively working on all the time for the benefit of the industry and consumers.

Who Protects the Interests of REALTORS®?
Did you know in 2015 there was proposed legislation for a statewide video sewer inspection mandate? This law would have added a $500 pre-sale inspection fee for Illinois homeowners. Because of REALTORS® who support RPAC, the proposed mandate was stopped. Learn how you can join the voice that successfully defends the rights of homeowners and both residential and commercial REALTORS® alike. MORe >
Upcoming Courses and Events
Events
Courses
July 25th
90-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course (Blended Delivery Format) - AH

90-Hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course (Blended Delivery Format) - DG

August 3rd-4th
12-Hour Broker Management Course - DG

August 10th-11th
12-Hour Broker Management Course - AH
Other News and Events
Opening Doors, Closing Deals! - June 7th
LUCHA, FHLB Chicago, IHDA and Inland Bank and Trust are hosting a complimentary seminar on Tuesday, June 7th, at the Inland Oak Brook Campus. The day starts with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Topics covered include 2016 housing trends, selling to millennials and information about Illinois' down payment assistance programs. MORe >

Humane Haven Annual Golf Outing - July 29th
Join Humane Haven Animal Shelter for its Annual Golf Outing on Friday, July 29th, at Village Greens Golf Course in Woodridge. MORe >

Share Your Story with MORe!
Let us know what you're doing that's noteworthy!  Are you using any innovative business approaches?  Received any awards?  Have a human interest story?  Do you have any new ways of dealing with diverse clients? Send your story to Ramona Schimka at Ramona@succeedwithmore.com. If we think the local media will be interested, we'll ship it off to them pronto - and - we'll jot it down in this section of the Eblast. Questions? Contact Ramona Schimka at Ramona@succeedwithmore.com or 630.324.8465.
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