August 20, 2025
Member: Adriann Murawski
Role: Board of Directors
Years as a Director: 2
You are a more recent board member of the Civic Federation, joining us in 2023. What drew you to our work and what do you think of the Civic Federation’s value in Chicago’s civic community?
As a Local Government Affairs Director since 2019, I’ve consistently relied on the Civic Federation’s budget analyses for both the City of Chicago and Cook County. Their data driven insights helped me navigate complex local government processes and understand how public dollars are generated and spent. Coming from a background in federal policy and national trends in Washington, DC, I needed an unbiased, local lens and the Civic Federation provided exactly that.
Beyond the data, I was drawn to the Federation’s network of distinguished professionals and its reputation for integrity. A former colleague spoke highly of the organization and its former president, and I saw firsthand how the Federation attracts people who genuinely want to leave things better than they found them.
What do you find most exciting about where the Federation is going, particularly in light of our new President and Strategic Plan? What is your greatest wish for the Civic Federation for the road ahead?
I’m most excited about reimagining engagement. With technology and AI transforming how we access and interpret data, the Civic Federation has a unique opportunity to make its expertise more accessible and actionable. While I love reading reports, time is limited, so finding new ways to deliver trusted information is key. I’m still exploring how AI can enhance advocacy, and I see the opportunities for the Civic Federation as a leader in that space.
As Director of Governmental Affairs at Illinois REALTORS, what trends are you seeing in this industry and what should we be on the lookout for in the coming years, especially in Cook County?
Housing affordability is a growing crisis. We’re seeing a troubling shift where corporations are better positioned to buy property, while small landlords, often the backbone of affordable housing in many communities, are being pushed out. Often policies unintentionally penalize these small owners, leading to the sale and loss of rental units.
We need more support for small landlords and stronger social safety nets for tenants, especially those at risk of homelessness. In Chicago, zoning laws often discourage multi-unit housing, making it harder to preserve or rebuild 2–4 flats. Without reform, we risk worsening the housing shortage in the next 5–10 years.
Reflecting on having moved around a lot growing up since your parents were in the U.S. Air Force and living in different Chicago neighbors, how have you seen real estate and property tax systems impact local communities?
Throughout my life, I have moved frequently, living in New Mexico, Texas, Iowa, DC, and several Chicago neighborhoods like Rogers Park, Edgewater, Andersonville, Uptown, and Bridgeport. These experiences taught me the importance of connection and community. I’ve seen firsthand how property tax systems and school quality can shape neighborhoods. My family was fortunate to move to areas with better schools, but not everyone has that opportunity. We need systems that offer mobility and equity, not barriers.
What impact are you trying to make and what types of challenges are you most often working to address?
I’m currently working with Ald. Mosley to strengthen Chicago’s trespassing laws. Property owners need swift legal recourse when dealing with fraud or unauthorized occupancy, ideally within hours or days, not months. On a broader scale, I’m advocating for zoning reform. We need policies that reflect basic economics: supply and demand. Chicago has the land, we just need the political will to build housing that’s affordable and accessible in all 77 neighborhoods.
What's your favorite Chicago hidden gem?
Montrose Harbor. I’ve played a lot of beach volleyball there with my husband and good friends, witnessed stunning city views, and got lost in a little bit of nature.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Life tactic “Grow where you are planted.” I love spending time with my family and dog, Southpaw. I love being a mother to my beautiful son. I love supporting women in their careers. I tend to my garden (with mixed results), go to Sox games, in a book club, and started a community group to stay connected.
Adriann Murawski is the Local Government Affairs Director for the Illinois REALTORS® covering Chicago and Cook County. Adriann has worked in the real estate industry for nearly sixteen (16) years. Prior to her work in Illinois, she was with the National Association of REALTORS® as the State and Local Policy Representative in Washington, DC. Adriann is an alumna of the Goldie Initiative, a program designed to develop the next generation of women executives in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. And an alumna of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership, a program that prepares and propels women to pursue elected and appointed positions.