Politics & Government

Kane County Eyes New Mediation Step to Fight Foreclosures

Effort would offer homeowners one last option to fend off the loss of a home.

Kane County’s court system is trying to establish a program that would offer homeowners a last shot at forestalling foreclosure of their homes, The Courier-News in Elgin reports.


Sixteenth Circuit Court Chief Judge Judith Brawka outlined the mediation program on Friday to the Kane County Board Judicial and Public Safety Committee. The program aims to mediate a deal between the lender and the homeowner, allowing the homeowner to stay in his or her home.


When foreclosure begins, homeowners would received a notice about the program, and if they qualify to participate, mediators — attorneys trained in foreclosure and loan modification — would represent them. If it’s successful, the parties enter into a new agreement.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Brawka told the committee the program involves a new $50 filing fee added on to the cost of filing the foreclosure. That fee, however, will not  cover the total cost of the program, and Brawka fears that increasing the filing fee to $75 or $100 would be too much for the homeowner.


While the availablility of federal funding is being explored, the judge told the committee about $43,000 may be needed from the county to start up the program.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


She added that with 4,552 foreclosure filings in Kane County last year, the program would relieve stress on the court system.


Fore more details, read the full story in The Courier-News.


Let Patch save you time. Our free newsletter can be delivered to your inbox. Fast signup here. Then like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @StCharlsILPatch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here