Governor Quinn Announces 500,000 People Helped Through Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network

Urges Homeowners to visit KeepYourHomeIllinois.org for Assistance

CHICAGO, IL – February 1, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Pat Quinn today announced that one year after he launched the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN), more than a half-million people have connected to its free statewide resources to help keep their homes.

“I launched the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network to help give Illinois families the guidance they need to stay in their homes,” Governor Quinn said. “Knowledge is power. By accessing this free, centralized source of trustworthy information we can help homeowners do what’s best for their families, while strengthening communities and our economy.”

As a result of the IFPN, 561,000 people have been connected to foreclosure prevention help:

446,000 homeowners have accessed the IFPN website or the Illinois Hardest Hit program website.
More than 60,700 people have called IFPN help hotlines.
More than 44,500 homeowners have received homeownership counseling.
More than 3,400 people have attended a series of IFPN workshops across the state.
More than 6,300 homeowners have received mortgage payment assistance with $144.1 million in funds approved through the Illinois Hardest Hit program.

Families are urged to reach out today to access the free resources that have helped so many other homeowners across Illinois. All of the services are available by visiting www.keepyourhomeillinois.org, calling the toll-free hotline (1-855-KEEP-411), or visiting 80 counseling agencies throughout the state.

In February 2012, Governor Pat Quinn created the IFPN to give Illinois homeowners access to a trusted and reliable source where they could receive one-on-one counseling, legal advice and financial assistance. Under Governor Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) partnered to establish this free, one-stop resource.

“When families fall behind on mortgage payments due to a job loss or pay cut, Governor Quinn’s Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) stands ready to help them,” IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. “IFPN coordinates every available statewide resource for homeowners, and provides critical tools – such as counseling. Homeowners who undergo counseling are twice as likely to keep their homes.”

IFPN has made a difference in the lives of so many Illinois families, such as Maria Perez of suburban Carol Stream. After her divorce in 2008, Perez struggled to pay her mortgage and save for her two sons’ college education.

When she lost her job as a school registrar last year, Perez turned to the DuPage Homeownership Center – which assisted her in applying for temporary financial assistance available under IFPN’s flagship program, the Illinois Hardest Hit program. The program enables qualified unemployed or underemployed homeowners to get current on their payments or receive monthly assistance.

“The Illinois Hardest Hit program bought me some time to consider my options calmly. It gave me time to breathe,” said 48-year-old Perez.

IFPN events to enable homeowners to receive counseling or legal advice, apply for financial assistance and potentially receive an on-site loan modification from participating lenders are scheduled this spring. IFPN’s next regional events are planned for Peoria and Rockford in April and June, respectively.