SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State Jesse White today announced the
formation of a Commercial Real Estate Review Panel to help his
office lease the best property at the lowest prices.
"It is my top priority to run this office like a business,"
said White. "The people serving on this real estate review panel
have years of experience in commercial real estate as well as the
state’s procurement laws. I have asked them to ensure our office
gets the best deal possible on every lease that is signed."
According to White, the panel will:
- Review current policies and procedures for leasing property
- Review all future leases and inspect potential sites for new
facilities
- Provide approval on all lease agreements
White also said all future leases would contain a 180-day
termination clause.
The four-person committee is comprised of two commercial
real estate brokers, one attorney and one certified public
accountant.
Gerald Perlow has been a Realtor, property management
consultant and appraiser in the Chicagoland area as well as
nationally for more than 25 years. He was a past president of the
Chicago Board of Realtors and the Illinois Association of
Realtors. In addition, Perlow has served as an Advisory Council
Member and Founder of the University of Illinois Office of Real
Estate Research.
Phil Johnson has been licensed as a real estate broker since
1973 and has served individual, corporate and institutional
clients in the Metro-east. He has served on the Board of
Directors of the National Association of Realtors and as
president of the Illinois Association of Realtors.
Ann Marie Williams is an Associate Attorney for Storino,
Ramello & Durkin and serves as general and special legal counsel
to various municipal corporations. As Legislative Director for
State Representative Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), Ann assisted
in the research, negotiation and drafting of the comprehensive
rewrite of the Illinois Procurement Code.
Joseph James Smaron is a sole proprietor of a Certified
Public Accounting firm since 1979. He has provided accounting
and auditing services to various not-for-profit organizations and
governmental entities. He is a member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.
