Mainstreet Commercial Alliance Commercial Mini Summit - Hybrid

Joseph R. Fortunato Jr., B.A. (Political Science), Northern Illinois University, 1970 and J.D. 1973, John Marshall Law School. Sole practitioner 1973-1983. Principal - Fortunato, Farrell, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd. (1983-2007); Fortunato, Knobbe, Davenport & Arnold, Ltd. (2007-09). August 2009 - 2016  Momkus McCluskey -  partner heading the Real Estate Practice Group. 2016 – 2020 Baugh Dalton LLC and Kaufman Dolowich and Voluck (partner) (in 2017 Baugh Dalton merged with Kaufman Dolowich and Voluck); 2020-2024 – Momkus LLP – Partner.  

2024- present – in house counsel for Mainstreet REALTORS®

While in private practice, concentrated in real estate transactions (commercial and residential) and real estate litigation. Experience and achievements include:

• Outside general counsel to Mainstreet Realtors® since 2001
• President of Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (2002-04); member of the Board of Directors 1998 - 2016
• Received Board of Directors Award from the DuPage County Bar Association (2003 and 2014) for outstanding service 
• Received ISBA Board of Governors Award for outstanding service (2008)
• Recipient for Outstanding Service Award from REALTOR® Association of the Western Suburbs (2000)
• Chair, DuPage County Bar Real Estate Law Committee (1988, 1989 and 1995)
• Chair of ISBA Real Estate Section Council (2005); Member of Section Council for many years
• Special Assistant State’s Attorney for DuPage County Division of Transportation (1996-2001)
• Member – ISBA Standing Committee on Legislation 2016 - 2023
• Member – ISBA Subcommittee in Liaison with Illinois Association of Realtors® 2001 - 2016
• IICLE Chapter Author (Disclosures and Representing the Seller)
• Published many articles for Illinois Bar Journal and ISBA Real Property Newsletter; coauthored IBJ Real Estate Column 
• Co-author of Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contracts 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 6.1, 7.0 and 8.0
• Frequent lecturer - ISBA, IICLE, local bar associations and REALTOR® groups; 
• Presenter at REALTOR® Law Day Seminar 1999 - present
• Taught Real Estate licensing for Coldwell Banker and Century 21
• Testified as expert witness in real estate and title insurance matters 
• Former Member ISBA Assembly (18th)
• Justinian Society of Lawyers (DuPage Chapter) Member and Past President”
• 2023 – recipient of Distinguished Counselor designation from ISBA for 50 years of service to the Bar in Illinois
• In 2016 the American Bar Association published Mr. Fortunato’s book “Getting Started as a Real Estate Attorney”

Ryan Walker is a Managing Member of ETS Environmental & Associates, LLC (ETS).  Since 2000, ETS has been a full-service environmental consulting firm specializing in commercial real estate due diligence and environmental remediation for real estate professionals.

For over a decade Ryan has worked with hundreds of commercial real estate professionals providing guidance with the evaluation of environmental risks on over a thousand commercial real estate transactions throughout the country.

Ryan oversees the daily operations of ETS and specifically focuses on business development, client relationship management and due diligence.  Ryan consults clients who need to perform Phase I Environmental Site Assessments or remediation services during their due diligence period.  These services are typically performed in conjunction with a pending purchase and are typically part of a bank’s lending requirements.  

During his tenure Ryan has helped double the company’s revenue.  In addition, Ryan helped oversee a 100-gas station Phase I ESA portfolio across the country for a national energy company. 

Prior to joining ETS, Ryan served as a commercial lender and would utilize ETS to perform Phase I ESAs due to the quality of the reports, level of service, and competitive pricing.  Having consistent and quality Phase I ESA reports are an integral part of the commercial real estate due diligence process, which ETS Environmental & Associates, LLC provided.

Ryan’s network and background in commercial real estate lending along with being an end user of Phase I ESAs, specifically ETS’s products and services, help to establish him as a trusted advisor in the environmental due diligence space for commercial real estate transactions.  

Ryan has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Colombia College of Missouri and currently resides in Carol Stream, Illinois. 

With nearly two decades of experience in the property insurance industry, Scott Weer has been helping clients protect what matters most since 2007. As the owner of Weer Insurance Group, an independent insurance brokerage with offices in both Chicago and the suburbs, Scott leads a team that specializes in commercial insurance while also offering top-tier personal insurance solutions for home and auto. Partnering with A-rated carriers, Scott delivers best-in-class pricing and customized strategies that help clients thrive — even in today’s historically tough property insurance market. 

Beyond the office, Scott is a proud father to his 7-year-old son. Together they enjoy wrestling, baseball, golf and football — bringing the same energy, focus and passion to family life that Scott brings to protecting his clients. 

At Weer Insurance Group, the mission is simple: deliver smarter, stronger insurance solutions that create real value. Catch Scott Weer at the Mainstreet Realtors Commercial Event to learn how the right coverage strategy can be a game-changer for your business and your future

As both a resident of Elk Grove Village and a professional passionate about community growth, Sue is focused on supporting local businesses and strengthening partnerships—including those with the real estate community.

Sue brings a strong background in marketing, outreach and advocacy and previously worked in community engagement and admissions for a private school system and was a licensed school counselor for ten years. She also served as an ambassador and board member for the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, where she worked closely with local businesses and community leaders.

In her role with the Village, Sue is the primary contact for the business community, helping businesses navigate local processes and acting as a connector to Village resources. She’s also leading efforts to market the Village and highlight opportunities for growth and investment.

Sue is looking forward to getting to know the real estate professionals who play a vital role in Elk Grove Village’s success. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions or opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, I specialize in commercial insurance solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. I take pride in working closely with families and business owners to help them find the right coverage at the most competitive rates. My goal is to make the insurance process simple, clear and personalized—so you can focus on what matters most while knowing you're protected.