September 1, 2021
Topic: Cook County Land Bank Executive Director
Speaker: Eleanor Gorski
Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank
Eleanor Gorski, who spent more than two decades in the city's planning and development department before leaving last fall for a role at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will start in August as the new executive director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority, the group announced.
​
Eleanor has extensive management experience with multiple stakeholders including architects, developers, elected officials, community organizations, federal oversight and public/private institutions. Also a licensed architect, she has experience in all aspects of planning, construction and real estate finance including design, project management, construction and zoning review, pro-forma analysis, financial incentives, legal issues and landmark designation.
Recent projects include the Obama Presidential Center, the 'WE WILL" Chicago citywide plan, Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus Fund, the 5-year Rehabilitation Plan for Wrigley Field, The Fulton-Randolph Market Innovation District Plan and the North Branch Framework.
August 4, 2021
Topic: Community Investment Corporation CEO Appointment
Speaker: Stacie Young
President & CEO, Community Investment Corporation
​
Stacie Young was appointed as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer, becoming the fourth president in the 37-year history of Chicago’s leading multifamily rehab lender.
​
As a veteran affordable housing advocate, Stacie led The Preservation Compact for 11 years. This organization convened stakeholders to build support for and to develop and implement, policies and programs related to the preservation of affordable rental housing. Under her leadership, the Compact helped expand dollars for rental retrofits, drive building code relief, create an innovative property tax relief incentive, and launch an innovative $34 million fund to encourage the creation of affordable rental units in high-cost markets. She also led efforts to develop a $48 million loan pool to finance distressed 1-4 unit buildings, and a separate $5 million CDFI partnership to improve 1-4 unit buildings. Prior to her work with the Compact, Young served in the City of Chicago’s Office of the Mayor to coordinate affordable housing activity among city departments, and at the Chicago Department of Housing as the Director of Policy. She also worked on fair housing issues for seven years in the south suburbs of Chicago. Young currently serves on the boards of BPI Chicago and Housing Choice Partners. She completed her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and earned her Masters in Public Policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago.
June 2, 2021
Topic: The Community Impact of Tax & Scavenger Sales
Co-Sponsored: Cook County Bar Association & Southside Builders Association
Speaker: Maxwell Schmidt
Senior Research Fellow - Center for Municipal Finance
Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago
May 5, 2021
Topic: Get Ready: Emergency Rental Assistance & Property Taxes
Speaker: Jerry Brown
Property Tax Attorney, Siegel & Callahan
​
Our clients are business owners, property managers, homeowners, and investors who are critical to the economic vitality of their communities. We fight to make sure that they are not over-assessed. When we protect our clients from over-taxation, nothing less than the economic growth of their local economies is at stake. State and local regulations are continually evolving. It is therefore urgently important to continually review and analyze changes in the law. With 27 years of experience in research and litigation across several practice areas, I make sure that our firm’s research protocol and understanding of the law is cutting edge. Passionate dedication to legal scholarship is critical to protecting our clients as we guide them through the uncertainty caused by regulatory changes.
Professional Affiliations. Jerry also serves as a board member of the Cook County Bar Association, adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School, and a member of the Business Leadership Council, Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, American Constitution Society, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and the Illinois Industrial Roundtable. His community involvment includes 100 Black Men of Chicago, Chicago Volunteer Legal Service, and the Chicago Constitutional Rights Foundation / Lawyers in the Classroom Admission to Practice.
Speaker: Stacie Young
Director of The Preservation Compact
​
As Director of The Preservation Compact, Young convenes a diverse group of stakeholders to build support for and to develop and implement, policies and programs related to the preservation of affordable rental housing. Under her leadership, the Compact helped expand dollars for rental retrofits, drive building code relief, create an innovative property tax relief incentive, and launch an innovative $34 million fund to encourage the creation of affordable rental units in high cost markets. She also led efforts to develop a $48 million loan pool to finance distressed 1-4 unit buildings, and a separate $5 million CDFI partnership to improve 1-4 unit buildings. Prior to her work with the Compact, Young served in the City of Chicago’s Office of the Mayor to coordinate affordable housing activity among city departments, and at the Chicago Department of Housing as the Director of Policy. She also worked on fair housing issues for seven years in the south suburbs of Chicago. Young currently serves on the boards of BPI Chicago and Housing Choice Partners. She completed her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, and received her Masters in Public Policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago.
April 7, 2021
Topic: Chicago Market Real Estate Trends
Speaker: Dennis Rodkin
Residential Real Estate Reporter
Crain's Chicago Business
​
Dennis Rodkin joined Crain's in 2014 from Chicago magazine, where he had written extensively about the area's housing market since 1991, including a monthly print column and weekly reports online. From 2008 to 2014, he worked as editor of Chicago Architect magazine.
Rodkin contributes weekly housing reports on WBEZ and appears regularly on WGN Radio, Fox Chicago and other broadcast stations to report on the Chicago-area real estate market.
He is a graduate of Pomona College in California and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
March 3, 2021
Topic: Tiny Homes
Speaker: Patrick Sherwin,
Founder & CEO
GoSun
​
GoSun was founded with the goal of making outdoor cooking easier, cleaner and more accessible for people in both developed and emerging markets. A line of fuel-free ovens are ready for action, incorporating durability and convenience into a package everyone can utilize. www.gosunstove.com
The GoSun stove does not emit any smoke and typically takes about the same time to cook as conventional methods. By getting GoSun stoves into the hands of impoverished families worldwide, vital resources of time and health can be preserved and deforestation decreased.
February 3, 2021
Topic: PPP Updates & Small Business Federal Relief Programs
Speaker: Robert Steiner
District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois District Office
Steiner joined the SBA in February 2013 and leads SBA’s operations across the state of Illinois. The Illinois District team of small business experts strengthens the entrepreneurial and small business ecosystem by supporting the efficient delivery of capital, comprehensive technical assistance, and access to government contracting.
​
Prior to joining the SBA, Steiner served with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service. With the FPS, he managed a $68M budget while overseeing all human capital, logistics, procurement, and support activities. Steiner joined the Federal Protective Service after eight years in the private sector, with roles in executive management, sales, and marketing. In the private sector, Steiner worked at DMX, business to business provider of commercial media services and low voltage systems integration.
​
A United States Naval Academy graduate, he began his career in the military, serving ten years serving in the United States Navy as a commissioned officer and Naval Aviator. During his naval career, he deployed multiple times in support of naval operations across the world.
Speaker: Stan Bochnowski
Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer
​
Stan is an Executive Vice President of Lakeside and also serves as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He is the Chief Lending Officer, responsible for oversight of all commercial and residential lending activities at the bank.
​
Stan joined Lakeside in 1983. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and is a member of the Chicago Board of Realtors, Chicago Home Builders Association and Illinois Mortgage Banker Association. He also is a Director to the following organizations: Hong Kong Club, Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, Near South Planning Board, Southside Builders Association and the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
January 6, 2021
Topic: Chicago Real Estate Update
Ron De Vries, MAI
Senior Managing Director
Integra Realty Resources - Chicago
​
Ron De Vries, MAI has been appraising since 1986. Prior to joining Integra Realty Resources, DeVries was Vice President at Appraisal Research Counselors, one of the largest independent valuation firms in the United States. Ron’s valuation experience includes industrial, retail, office, hotel, multi-family (including FNMA/Freddie, HUD as well as LIHTC deals), and residential subdivisions for uses ranging from due diligence and financing to review appraisal. He oversees the multi-family rental market/feasibility studies for the firm along with the quarterly research of over 150,000 units in the Chicago MSA. Mr. DeVries is a frequent speaker at the Chicago Real Estate Council, the Chicagoland Apartment Association as well as private events for clients. He has testified as an expert witness in a variety of matters. Mr. DeVries is past national Chair of Education for the Appraisal Institute and previously served on the Appraisal Institute’s Board of Directors, and numerous committees. Mr. DeVries is a past President of the Chicago Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and served for many years as the Chapter’s Chair of Education. Ron has served on several course development teams including Principles, Procedures, Market Analysis & Highest & Best Use, Income Capitalization, and a number of seminars. Mr. DeVries was also a content contributor for The Appraisal of Real Estate, published by The Appraisal Institute. He is a frequent instructor for the Appraisal Institute.
James K. Kutill, MAI
Managing Director
Integra Realty Resources - Chicago
James K. Kutill, MAI, started his appraisal career in 1978, as a residential appraiser, with Unity Savings Association. Prior to joining Integra Realty Resources, Jim was Vice President with Appraisal Research Counselors, one of the largest independent appraisal firms in the United States, since 1981. Jim oversees the senior care property practice. This took in independent living (ILF), assisted living (ALF), skilled nursing (SNF) and continuing care retirement communities (CCRC). He also oversees neighborhood oriented and mid-market investment properties assignments. His valuation experience includes limited and full service hospitality, retail, office and multi-family (market rent, HUD, LIHTC and age restricted). He has extensive experience with appraisal compliance review, for a variety of property types, and has testified as an expert witness for a variety of matters. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, and a former president of the Chicago Real Estate Council.