Illinois REALTORS® is the only advocate for private property rights at the State Capitol in Springfield and in city halls across Illinois. We protect property rights and advance the real estate profession. In 1916 real estate leaders from around Illinois banded together to form what would become the Illinois REALTORS®. The objective: To unite brokers, agents, dealers and owners for the purpose of formulating, promoting and enforcing high standards of ethics in relation to transactions in real estate. Today, the Illinois REALTORS® has grown to become one of the largest trade associations in the state of Illinois, representing 50,000 REALTORS® statewide involved in all aspects related to the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real property in Illinois. REALTOR®: The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its code of ethics.