Three Rivers Association of Realtors celebrates 100 Years

On July 29th, members of The Three Rivers Association of Realtors and honored guests gathered at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet for a gala celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the association’s membership in the National Association of Realtors.

It was on April 27, 1921, that the national association’s board of directors officially chartered what was then known as The Joliet Real Estate Board. The name changed over the years from The Joliet Real Estate Board to The Joliet-Will County Board of Realtors in 1945 to The Will-Grundy Association of Realtors in 1996 and The Three Rivers Association of Realtors in 2003.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of Illinois House Resolution 371 honoring Three Rivers Association of Realtors for 100 years as a member of the National Association of Realtors. It was presented by Illinois State Representatives Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, and David Welter, R-Morris. Both Batinick and Welter are members of The Three Rivers Association of Realtors.

The association also used this occasion to pay tribute to its recently retired Chief Executive Officer David McClintock for his 15 years of service to the organization. His work on behalf of Three Rivers earned him the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A $2,500 donation in McClintock’s name was given to the Illinois Real Estate Education Foundation. The foundation’s purpose is to further academic experience and training in the real estate industry in Illinois by awarding scholarships to students in real estate and related fields of study at colleges and universities both within and outside Illinois.

In reflecting on the significance of being part of the organization for so many years, Three Rivers Chief Executive Officer Neil Malone noted that there is a distinct difference between being a Realtor as opposed to just a real estate agent. He said that when one chooses to become a member of the National Association of Realtors, he or she must abide by its strict code of ethics and is subject to severe penalties including loss of license for failing to do so. He also stated that the Realtor organization is one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country, not only looking out for its members’ business interests, but also protecting the interests and rights of the nations 75 million property owners. All of the more than 900 members of Three Rivers who are licensed to sell real estate are Realtors. They primarily practice in Will and Grundy Counties and the surrounding areas. Three Rivers Association of Realtors members are also affiliated with the Illinois Realtors.