Kane County announces resources for rental relief

GENEVA – Kane County officials are encouraging tenants and landlords who need rental assistance to take advantage of local and statewide resources, as the statewide eviction moratorium expires on Oct. 3, according to a news release.

“We realize there are numerous tenants and landlords in Kane County who are still struggling due to COVID-19 and need help before the state’s eviction moratorium expires,” Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog stated in the release. “We want to be sure that we do everything we can so that our County’s residents who may need help have access to these resources.”

Tenants or landlords who need rental assistance can access the Illinois Department of Human Services website that provides consolidated information on numerous state and local agencies that can help at www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/providers for information.

Residents who need rental assistance may also contact IDHS at 866-454-3571. The link also is available on Kane County’s homepage by clicking on the “Illinois Rental Payment Program” icon at www.countyofkane.org.

The judiciary system in Kane County also has taken action to address increasing evictions due to the pandemic and to provide another solution for tenants and landlords, the release stated.

Kane County 16th Circuit Court Judge John G. Dalton said that the county was the first in the state of Illinois to launch its Eviction Mediation Program, to help tenants and landlords reach a solution to avoid eviction procedures. The program, launched in the spring, is confidential and free to those who participate and also provides housing and financial counseling.

“Our Eviction Mediation Program, which was the first in the State of Illinois, is operating and currently settles about half of the cases referred to mediation,” Judge Dalton stated in the release. “Every new eviction case filed is accompanied by a notice informing the parties of the mediation program, and provides a wealth of information about the relief programs and resources available to help,” he added. “Other counties are emulating our approach.”

Visit https://www.illinois16thjudicialcircuit.org/Pages/evictionmediation.aspx or contact Program Coordinator Christina Wright at 630-762-2758 for additional information on the Eviction Mediation Program.

In addition to these resources, another new program in Kane County is available to those renters who have already received an eviction notice. The Illinois Court Based Rental Assistance Program will provide tenants with assistance if they meet certain criteria. More information on the program, which will begin taking applications in the near future, is available at https://ilrpp.ihda.org/ or contact 866-454-3571.