Seven members of the community group Action Now emerged from Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s office after an hourlong meeting with Stroger’s chief of staff and Chief Judge Timothy Evans cautiously optimistic that city homeowners would receive a
Seven members of the community group Action Now emerged from Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s office after an hourlong meeting with Stroger’s chief of staff and Chief Judge Timothy Evans cautiously optimistic that city homeowners would receive at least $3 million in county funds to help with foreclosure outreach and mediation efforts.
The group was told last week they’d meet with Stroger, but instead met with Joseph Fratto and Evans.
Evans said he would introduce an amendment to the budget at the upcoming county board meeting asking that the funds be set aside for homeowners at risk for or already in foreclosure.
"We don’t want to see anyone put out of their homes. I agreed to introduce the amendment Thursday," Evans told a crowd of about 25 who waited outside of the meeting.
Evans sought $200,000 funding for court foreclosure mediation last year, but was rebuffed by the county council. The chief judge would oversee any court mediation program, and Evans thinks such a program would help keep some homeowners in their homes.
Madeline Talbott, lead organizer for Action Now, said it’s a good "first step," however nothing is set in stone. The road isn’t expected to be a smooth one, she said.
"Let’s not be misunderstood. They meet about the budget on Thursday and we’ll be there. We have to take into account whether or not the new county sales tax stays or goes. If it goes, they may say they can’t set aside the money,” said Talbott.
Talbott and Gloria Warner, who also attended the closed-door meeting, said either way, the group will press on for funding from the county.
About 25 residents from across the city came Tuesday with backpacks, blankets and toothbrushes ready to spend the night outside of Stroger’s fifth floor office at 118 N. Clark St. if a deal had not been reached.
"Thursday is D day," said Warner. Action Now questioned Stroger’s office Nov. 5 during a similar sit-in outside his office why the more than $15 million in foreclosure filing fees collected by the county, in addition to the $28 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program can’t be used for foreclosure outreach and mediation.
"The money is for homeowners in suburban Cook County. For those who live in the city, they must get funds from the City of Chicago," Sean Howard, a Stroger spokesman told the group on Nov. 5.
Cook County was awarded $28.1 million by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to assist communities that have been or are at risk of being affected by foreclosures and abandoned properties. South suburban Cook County received $9 million; west suburban Cook County received $3 million.
As of Oct. 30, 2009, there were 38,835 foreclosures filed in Cook County. For 2008, a total of 43,726 were filed, according to the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office.
In August, the city announced $110 million in funding administered by the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago to help up to 14,000 potential or current homeowners in the city who don’t have the necessary credit needed or are at risk of foreclosure and need to refinance to a more affordable loan. The city also received $55.2 million in NSP funding from HUD.
As of Sept. 30, 2009, there were 14,749 foreclosures filed in Chicago, according to the city’s Department of Community Development.
Molly Sullivan, spokeswoman for the department, said homeowners seeking funding info should call 311.
"We’re not focusing on the city. The county controls the courts," replied Talbott.
The county commissioners have until Nov. 19 to accept or reject the budget.
"We’ll keep fighting until we win," said Talbott.
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