Madison County’s foreclosure mediation program becomes mandatory
EDWARDSVILLE – Third Judicial Circuit Chief Judge David Hylla says the Illinois Supreme Court has approved an amended rule for the Madison County Foreclosure Mediation Program that makes the program mandatory for all homeowners facing foreclosure.
The new rule took effect on July 1.
The mediation program creates an opportunity for homeowners and lenders to come together with a mediator to explore mutually beneficial alternatives to foreclosure. The program was launched in June 2011.
In 2013, the program helped 134 homeowners remain in their home rather than face the results of a foreclosure, Hylla’s office said.
Since 2011, the program has been an opt-in program, meaning the homeowners filled out an application and applied to the program after receiving notice of foreclosure. With the changes to the rule, now all homeowners facing foreclosure will meet with the mediation administrator to discuss their options in moving forward with mediation.
Another change to the rule allows the mediators for the program to be paid per mediation session. Until this current rule change mediators were pro bono attorneys and mediators from the community. This fall there will be training for attorneys who wish to be considered as a mediator for the program.
If you are an attorney or mediator interested in this training, or if you would like more information about this program, contact Jennifer Dunham, program administrator, at (618) 296-4760.
