Chicago-Area Homeowners In Foreclosure Urged To Show Up To Court "Case Management Call" To Seek Assistance

In Chicago, Illinois, the Southwest News Herald reports:

• Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown said a recent administrative order issued by a Chancery Court judge represents a second chance for many homeowners facing foreclosures to have their cases heard in July and August, noting that some may be able to save their homes through mediation. Brown is getting the word out about Chancery Division Presiding Judge Dorothy Kinnaird’s administrative order, which provides that a “case management call” be set for the mortgage foreclosure section of all pending mortgage foreclosure cases filed prior to April 1, 2009.(1)

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• A few of the issues case management hearings will consider are: whether the necessary requirements have been met to foreclose; whether an Access to Justice attorney should be appointed; whether credit counseling is appropriate; and whether the case is appropriate for a court-ordered mediation.

For more, see Second Chance To Hear Cases Of Foreclosures.

(1) Brown especially urges people whose banks are not willing to do modifications to come to court for case management. She said people who show up for the case management hearings in July and August will automatically be given a 30- to 45-day continuance to allow them to go to the Pro Se Advice Desk for assistance with their cases. Brown noted that individuals do not need attorneys in order to come to the case management calls. Defendants may also seek to have the $188 appearance fee waived.