In a sweeping move to modernize real estate practices, Illinois is set to implement significant changes to its real estate laws following the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) rule adjustments. These changes, effective from August 17, aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the real estate sector.

Illinois REALTORS® is proactively informing the public about the new requirements. An open letter will be published in various newspapers on August 18, outlining key practice changes. Among these, homebuyers working with Realtors will now be required to sign a written agreement. This agreement will detail the broker’s responsibilities, the compensation rate, and the payment method. For more details, the Illinois REALTORS® have provided a comprehensive guide here.

Additionally, real estate agents will no longer include shared compensation details on the MLS. Instead, brokers must communicate this information privately or on their own websites, maintaining the negotiable nature of compensation.

In a press release, Illinois REALTORS® President Matt Silver and CEO Jeff Baker emphasized the negotiability of compensation, stating, “In some cases, agents are paid directly by their buyer or seller client. However, in other cases, an agent may be paid indirectly, with the broker for the seller ‘sharing’ a portion of their compensation with the buyer’s broker.”

Beyond these immediate changes, Illinois is introducing Senate Bill 3740, a collaborative effort with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and legislators. This bill updates the Real Estate License Act of 2000 and includes several key provisions:

• All real estate licensees must use written brokerage agreements for all types of real estate brokerage business, including residential sales transactions, as required by the NAR settlement.
• Brokers seeking to upgrade their licenses will only need to take Illinois-specific exams to obtain their managing broker licenses.
• Mandatory Core Continuing Education (CE) Hours will increase from four to six, including two hours of mandatory Fair Housing-related courses.
• New language supports independent contractor relationships for licensees conducting brokerage business.

“Senate Bill 3740 received bipartisan support throughout the entire legislative process. It is a tribute to Illinois REALTORS® and IDFPR that a bill made it all the way through the process without a dissenting vote,” noted Senior Director of State Government Affairs Jimmy Clayton.

In addition to these changes, Governor JB Pritzker recently signed an amendment to the Condominium Property Act into law. House Bill 5502 prohibits condominium associations from exercising any right of refusal, option to purchase, or right to disapprove the sale of a condominium unit based on the purchaser’s financing being guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration or for discriminatory or otherwise unlawful purposes.

This amendment aims to protect condo buyers, providing them with a right of action in a state circuit court against offending condominium associations.