The Circuit Court of Cook County recently launched a new online feature to help Cook County homeowners access the free housing counseling and legal services available through the Circuit Court of Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program.

Homeowners in foreclosure who wish to begin the mediation process may now visit CookCountyForeclosureHelp.org to request an initial meeting with a housing counselor. This new web feature is an alternative to the toll-free helpline (877.895.2444, or 312.836.5222 TDD), is available in English, Spanish and Polish, and is accessible to homeowners with a valid e-mail address. Eligible homeowners will receive confirmation of their appointment within 48 hours of submitting the online form (requests submitted after hours, on holidays or on weekends will be processed starting the next business day).

In addition to the new online resources, the Circuit Court and several community-based organizations are conducting outreach to Cook County neighborhoods and communities hardest hit by the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Program representatives are reaching out to community leaders, faith-based groups, elected officials and – in some cases – speaking with homeowners directly through door-to-door outreach. Homeowners are given informational packets about the foreclosure mediation program and directed to the toll-free helpline and website where they can access more information.

In order to participate in the mediation program, homeowners must:

·         be residents of Cook County

·         have received a foreclosure summons from the Cook County Court

·         live in the building in foreclosure – which may be a single-family home, single-family condominium or apartment building with four or fewer units.

After meeting with a housing counselor, homeowners will have the opportunity to meet with an on-site attorney to discuss the housing counselor’s recommendations and prepare for a court date that will determine whether the foreclosure case can be mediated with the lender.

Homeowners who are concerned about their mortgages, but who have not received a summons from the court and are not currently in foreclosure, can visit CookCountyForeclosureHelp.org for a list of available resources.