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Mainstreet HQ, Downers Grove – Mainstreet is dedicated to making things easy for our members. After reviewing member feedback, we have made several improvements to the Forms and Contracts library to simplify and streamline your access. There are three different updates: 1. Log in to MyMainstreet and look for the green Forms and Contracts Icon, located in my tools across the top of the page. 2. Secondly, on the left side of the member portal, the purple vertical column of clickable resources says, “member resources.” Once here, look for the “forms” tab listed along the top of the dropdown menu choices. 3. Lastly, if you know which form you are looking for, instead of using member resources, navigate to the member portal page and in the same purple vertical column, look for “forms and documents.” Here you can search for the form you need by keyword. The above video details these changes, step by step. Click play to watch our tutorial video, brought to you by the Professional Standards staff at Mainstreet REALTORS®. Do you want access to our industry-leading forms and contracts library?
Mainstreet REALTORS® was honored to be a proud sponsor of Polonia Impact Day in Springfield on April 29 —an impactful day dedicated to celebrating and elevating the voice of the Polish American community across Illinois. We are especially proud that our 2025–2026 President, Kinga Korpacz, attended this important event as the first Polish President in Mainstreet’s history . Her presence reflects not only a personal milestone but also the growing diversity, leadership and cultural representation within our organization and the real estate industry as a whole. Polonia Impact Day brought together leaders, advocates and community members to engage directly with legislators, celebrate heritage and strengthen relationships that shape the future of our communities. The event featured special proclamations recognizing the contributions of Polish Americans, including efforts led by Senator Robert Martwick and presentations by Senate President Don Harmon, alongside support from Omar Aquino and Laura Murphy. Treasurer Michael Frerichs and his team also welcomed all participants to the Capitol, helping create a memorable and meaningful experience for all in attendance. Events like Polonia Impact Day highlight the importance of advocacy, cultural pride and community engagement—values that strongly align with Mainstreet REALTORS®’ mission. As REALTORS®, we know that building strong communities goes beyond real estate—it means showing up, supporting one another and having a voice in the decisions that impact housing and homeownership. We are proud to stand alongside the Polish American community and look forward to continuing to support initiatives that bring people together and make a lasting impact.
Mainstreet HQ, Downers Grove – Mainstreet’s Economic Outlook 2026 presented forecasts for the U.S. economy and possible Illinois housing market trends. That was in January. Halfway through the year, you need an update. Mainstreet has the data call you will want to hear for the second half of 2026. Listen in as NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun provides insights and advice about the back half of 2026. The Mid-Year Economic Update is a Mainstreet webinar focused on economic signals for the second part of 2026. Here is what Illinois voters think about the economy: - 81% Say Housing in Illinois is Unaffordable; - 65% Support Allowing Modest Duplexes on Larger Residential Lots; - 59% Bipartisan Support for Housing Affordability as a Top Priority; - 33% Have Had to Cut Back on Daily Essentials to Afford Housing. Using the information above, it is fair to say affordable housing and inventory are hot button issues in the world of economic headlines and topics. Specifically in Illinois where the supply crisis is squeezing middle class families out of the market altogether. For example, according to Illinois REALTORS® research, “Illinois would need to TRIPLE new home construction for 5 years in a row just to meet the current demand.” – Excerpt from IR Unlocking Our Housing Plan 2026. Now hear what Dr. Lawrence Yun has to say! The update coming from Dr. Yun, Chief Economist at NAR will provide critical information about what buyers and sellers have been doing so far in 2026. Knowing what your clients want based on buyer and seller behaviors gives you an advantage over other agents who are a day late and a dollar short. A one-hour webinar is a small price to pay for an increase in Q3 and Q4 sales volume. Click here to register today for the Mid-Year Economic Update.
Spring arrived in Chicagoland suburbs and so did homebuyers.
DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Mainstreet REALTORS® has named Brian Palm, designated managing broker and president of Palm Real Estate Ventures, Inc. in Naperville, as its 2026 REALTOR® of the Year. This award recognizes Brian’s outstanding leadership and contributions to both the real estate industry and his community.
Changes Are Here In 2026; What To Know
This headline poses a big question. I’m not sure. Let me ask Chat GPT. (Just kidding). Aside from the larger question – should we even take an overall For or Against position on AI? – it’s important for us to understand how REALTORS® and consumers are already using AI technology in real estate. More importantly, we need to know how to advise Mainstreet members on the pros and cons of using AI in their businesses. For example, we know that roughly two-thirds of all real estate agents in the U.S. have used AI (mostly Chat GPT and similar tools) at least a little. And about half of those use AI to create listing descriptions/marketing content. The downside? This AI-generated content could be problematic if it’s not checked and edited for accuracy and fair housing compliance. On top of that, you could be in further danger if you’re using free versions of AI tools. Because you’re probably contributing to someone else’s content and security; not your own. [1] Here’s a quick list of how REALTORS® are using AI: Listing copy + marketing content: Writing listing descriptions, social posts, email nurture, open-house blurbs. Tip: Feed the model structured property facts, fair-housing guardrails and your voice to stay compliant and on-brand (Source: NAR ). Rapid creative for visuals: Using virtual staging, enhancement, video scripts and reels to showcase home features when full staging and video budgets aren’t feasible. Tip: Combine with clear disclosure to avoid misrepresentation (Source: TheRealEstateTrainer.com ). Follow-up and CRM hygiene: Drafting first-touch replies, lead-routing snippets and task summaries, then handing off to your CRM. (Source: NAR ). Market prep and comps support. Outlining CMA talking points and neighborhood briefs that you verify with MLS data. AI is a prep assistant, not the source of record. It’s time saving and client-experience enhancing. Tip: Use AI to assemble, then validate. (Source: NAR ). For the last several years, Mainstreet has produced and hosted our own in-person tech and marketing conference, Propel, with a focus on AI. Moreover, we’ve made a sizable investment in big tech for our members, launching a new digital experience on the Membio platform including MainstreetRealtors.com, the MyMainstreet member portal and a consumer listings website, ChicagolandHomes.com . The Membio platform is always evolving and changing and will increasingly incorporate AI technology to deliver better service and free leads to our 19,000 members. We’re also ramping up the use of other AI tools in our communications and marketing work, notably with video. Coming this December, our own Carrie Little is teaching the three-hour CE course – Innovation of Real Estate: Embracing AI, Ethics, Digital Marketing and Data. Fittingly, we’re offering this via Zoom. Coming back around to the question of, “why do we at Mainstreet REALTORS® care about how AI is used in real estate?” The answer is related to our Big Why: Mainstreet empowers every member to define and achieve their goals. If AI can help you achieve your goals faster – and if you use it wisely, it certainly can – then we care about that. Because we care about anything that can make you more successful (while also keeping you out of trouble). We’re obsessed with what works. The live virtual mastermind that I was part of featured Chris Smith as keynote speaker. He said that empathy is the new currency. Meaning that when virtually (no pun intended) everyone in real estate ends up using AI to do basic research and writing, automate tasks and save time and money – you can still differentiate yourself by being human. That’s good news. “Average is over,” said Smith. “Create memorable moments.” That’s exactly what we’re about at Mainstreet REALTORS®. We’re here to give context and clarity to our ever-changing real estate landscape. And give you opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. Whether that’s learning more about AI – sign up for Carrie’s course! – or engaging in some other way in our diverse and forward-thinking community. As I said at Propel two summers ago, I’m a big sci-fi fan. I love the Terminator and Matrix movies. But I don’t believe technology is here to usher in doomsday. It’s here to be a tool that we can all better understand to help us do our work. John Gormley is CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS® [1] This list was created using ChatGPT
Mainstreet HQ, Downers Grove Campus – November is the time to show gratitude for all we have. Cherished traditions and time spent with loved ones can be taken for granted as those in need struggle to experience a season of giving. We are proud to announce the November Food Drive aimed at supporting local families as part of a larger partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank, West Suburban Community Pantry and Tinley Park Food Pantry. Here at Mainstreet REALTORS® we are always looking for ways to embrace the communities that comprise our membership. This month our efforts focus on a Food Drive to provide families in need with nutritious options for their holiday meals. In cooperation with our own internal efforts collecting non-perishable food from our staff and their families, Mainstreet is honored to announce a trifecta of partners supporting our November Food Drive. Read about each of our partners below and learn how you can be a part of our Food Drive because small acts of generosity can make a big difference. Click on the names of each pantry to donate monetarily. Anyone who wishes to donate food may drop off all non-perishable items at any of the Mainstreet REALTORS® campuses, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now until November 21. Click here to view the itemized list of consumables needed most. Northern Illinois Food Bank – “At Northern Illinois Food Bank, they focus on delivering food and healthy eating services to the Northern Illinois community. As part of the national Feeding America network, they serve neighbors in 13 counties by providing 250,000 meals per day at four different distribution centers.” West Suburban Community Food Pantry – “West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP) creates opportunities for neighbors to thrive by providing nourishing food and access to supportive resources. Serving 1,000 families each week in Fiscal Year 2025, WSCP is integral to helping people in DuPage and Will Counties receive the nutrition they need to lead full lives. They work to break down barriers to food assistance, implement new services to best help people in our community, encourage volunteerism and educate about existing needs.” Tinley Park Food Pantry – “The Tinley Park Food Pantry was started in 1982 by Stan Slack in the United Methodist Church with the purpose of assisting poverty level families who reside in Tinley Park and Orland Hills via a weekly distribution of food that has occurred every Wednesday since the TPFP's inception. They currently serve 50 families a week (160-170 people).”
