McGuire, Bertino-Tarrant Host Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

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State Senators Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) will host a foreclosure prevention workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Joliet Township High School’s West Campus, 401 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet.

Will and Kendall counties were hit hard by foreclosures when the housing market crashed due to recession. And although the economy is recovering, the number of homes foreclosed on in these counties was double the national average as recently as this past summer. In fact, the number of foreclosed homes in these two counties put them in the top three in the state for foreclosures.

That is why McGuire and Bertino-Tarrant continue to bring the State of Illinois’ Mortgage Relief Project (MRP) to the area every year.

“The foreclosure process can be overwhelming, confusing and paralyzing,” McGuire said. “These events allow homeowners to meet with teams of staff members from major lenders who can answer their questions and help take the fear and frustration out of the process.”

“The Illinois Mortgage Relief Project provides a tremendous service to the people of Illinois,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “It is obvious that there is still a need for foreclosure prevention services in our area, so I am glad we are able to bring this event to the people of Will and Kendall counties.”

McGuire and Bertino-Tarrant will be teaming up with Representatives Tom Cross, Natalie Manley, Emily McAsey and Larry Walsh, Jr. to host Will County’s sixth foreclosure prevention event.

More than 1,000 families in the Will County area have been helped by the Mortgage Relief Project since it began its work in 2009. The Oct. 25 event will mark the fifty-eighth Mortgage Relief Event in Illinois.

MRP is a part of the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network and is dedicated to providing information and resources that can help homeowners take advantage of programs to lower their mortgages, avoid foreclosure and keep their homes. Homeowners meet with lenders, HUD-approved housing counselors from the Will County Center for Community Concerns and the Community Service Council of Northern Will County, and specialists from the offices of Governor Pat Quinn and Attorney General Lisa Madigan. MRP also provides information on legal rights, credit counseling and avoiding scam artists. Most importantly, homeowners can also take advantage of private, one-on-one housing counseling with HUD-certified counselors during these workshops.

Homeowners interested in attending the Oct. 25 event should bring the following paperwork in order to make the most of the counseling:

• Mortgage statement
• 2010 and 2011 W-2 and tax return with all schedules
• Copy of rental agreement, if necessary
• Two months of most recent paystubs

• Budget of household expenses
• Documentation of other income
• Two months of most recent bank statements
• Recent utility bill
• Profit/Loss Statement, if self-employed (last 6 months)

Pre-registration is suggested, but not required. To register for the event, or for more information, please call toll-free at 800-532-8785 or visitwww.idfpr.com.