SYCAMORE – Local legislators have invited several state agencies to DeKalb to help residents take advantage of programs to lower their mortgages, avoid foreclosures and keep their homes. The program which includes seminars and one-on-one counseling is being hosted by State Representatives Bob Pritchard (R-Sycamore) and Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), and Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford).
“Too many northern Illinois families are still being affected by the mortgage crisis and struggling to make mortgage payments and keep their homes,” Pritchard said. “The Illinois Foreclosure Prevention team of state agencies will provide counselors, explain the foreclosure process, offer information about state programs, and give suggestions on avoiding costly foreclosure.”
The event will be held on Saturday September 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Outreach Building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb. Participating will be the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and Attorney General.
To receive the most helpful counseling, you should bring a number of personal documents, Pritchard advised. “Bring your mortgage statement, tax returns for the past two years, two months of recent paystubs and bank statements, documentation of other income, recent utility bills, and your budget of household expenses,” he said. “Don’t worry if you don’t have all these documents on September 27, the counselors can still help you get the process started.”
“The Mortgage Relief Project will offer important advice and one-on-one counseling for strained Illinois homeowners who are trying to keep their homes,” Sosnowski said. “I strongly encourage all residents who are behind on or struggling to make mortgage payments to attend the seminar and gain access to programs available in Illinois that can prevent foreclosure.”
More information is available by contacting the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations at 1-800-532-8785, Rep. Pritchard at (815) 748-3494, or Rep. Sosnowski at (815) 547-3436.