News from the Chicago Chapter

Reflections on a Productive Year: IREM Chicago 2018 in Rewind

A highly successful awards gala, two insightful panel discussions on property taxes, a provocative mid-year panel presentation, a rain-free and rewarding golf outing and the 65^thanniversary celebration and new officer installation event were among the highlights of 2018 for IREM Chicago. 

With the year 2019 on the proverbial horizon, we reflect on some of the many events and activities that took place in 2018.

Here are capsule perspectives:

• In January, 2018 President Jim Vocos, CPM® shared thoughts on goals and challenges ahead for the Chapter and the property management profession, along with the impact of technology on the industry, in this outlook perspective.  
  
  
• IREM Chicago honored excellence during the 14^thPremier Awards and Casino Night gala held March 2 at the historic Drake Hotel. Four individuals and two Industry partner companies were given Premier Awards, and hundreds of guests enjoyed dinner, networking and casino games.
  
  
• The complex and controversial topic of deciphering the property tax system in Cook County was the topic of a panel discussion during the April 5 Chapter Meeting and Luncheon.  The event, which had a capacity crowd, also featured the installation of 10 IREM members who earned professional designations and the official introduction of LYDIA home as the official charity for 2018.
  
  
• Nationally-recognized real estate consultant and educator Dr. Debbie Phillips, CPM® led the “Next Level Leadership”afternoon workshop, held May 10 at Chapter headquarters in Oak Brook. Key topics addressed: Building a successful team and active talent management. 
  
  
• IREM Chicago Leadership was well represented at the 2018 Midwest Regional Meetings held May 1 to 3 in Indianapolis. Members of the leadership team drafted short perspectives on what was learned during the workshops and sessions on improving the IREM brand, engaging with those outside and industry and more. In this essay, Executive Council member Colleen Needham, CPM®, ARM shared thoughts on what it means to “Live the Brand.”
  
  
• The dedication and commitment of IREM Chicago members and Industry Partners was embodied on June 14 as volunteers painted hallway walls, moved furniture and completed landscape tasks at the LYDIA Home on Chicago’s Northwest side as part of IREM Cares Day.
  
  
• Resiliency and growth. That sums up the assessment by the four panelists who participated in the popular Mid-Year Market Reviewdiscussion held during a luncheon June 14. Industrial and multifamily assets were cited as having the strongest potential for growth.  Prior to the talk, four members were installed.
  
  
• During 2018, four IREM Chicago members improved their skills and strengthened their commitment to property management by earning a second IREM credential. Gaining the knowledge needed to manage multiple asset classes and career growth potential were among the factors raised by Bonnie Wu, ARM®, CPM®in seeking a second credential. 
  
  
• Following some brief early morning showers, the clouds parted and golfers took to the links August 6 during the 32^ndAnnual Golf Outing and Silent Auction.The venue was the beautiful Kemper Lakes Golf Club. Following the day of golf, the Silent Auction raised more than $6,000 for LYDIA Home. 
  
  
• Public hearings were held in early fall to discuss the prospect of enacting rent control legislation in Illinois. In this September commentary, President Jim Vocos, CPM®, presented a statistical analysis demonstrating why rent control would be detrimental to Illinois and commercial real estate.
  
  
• The IREM 2018 Global Summit, held September 26-29 in Hollywood, Florida, brought more than 800 leaders from across the property management profession together to learn, network and grow. IREM Chicago leaders gained much during the conference. Looking back, 2019 Chapter Treasurer Stephen G. Schimmel, CPM®, found the experience “like drinking from a firehose of knowledge.” Read Steve’s comments. 
  
  
• The spring property tax panel proved so popular that a second afternoon event was held October 11.  Three experts presenteddifferent perspectives regarding the Illinois tax system, the complex tax process in Cook County and the effect existing regulations have on the metropolitan Chicago economy. Joanne P. Elliott, Partner at Chicago law firm Elliott and Associates, returned as moderator.  Visit this page to download presentations.
  
  
• The final official Chapter event of 2018truly was memorable. In an event space 29 floors above the city, the2019 Executive Council was sworn in, the Chapter celebrated its 65^th Anniversary, 10 members were installedfor earning individual credentials and 33 Management was installed for earning the IREM Accredited Management Organization (AMO) designation. IREM Region 9 Vice President Maleta J. Brown, CPM,® conducted the installation of officers ceremony, held at 111 S. Wacker Dr.
  
  
• IREM Chicago assisted four members with tuition to help offset costs in earning the Accredited Residential Manager® designation.  All earned the ARM after completing the “Managing Residential Properties – RES201” course hosted by the Chapter in October. We featured these managers in a series called “Scholarship Spotlight.” In this perspective, Jeanine Hardin, ARM® cited career advancement as a key reason for pursuing the ARM.

Want to learn more about the news and events that took place in 2018?  Visit the Chapter News page.