The Kane County Foreclosure Mediation Program is designed to reduce the burden of expenses sustained by lenders, borrowers and taxpayers as a result of residential mortgage foreclosures. An initial notice describing the mediation program along with a checklist and questionnaire must be served on the defendant in a residential foreclosure case with the summons. The program is opt-out for homeowners. Discovery will be stayed until after the conclusion of the mediation process, and all oral and written communications to the Program Coordinator and the mediator are exempt from discovery and are confidential and inadmissible as evidence in the underlying trial. The Court may impose appropriate sanctions if any party fails to participate in good faith. Volunteer mediators must complete foreclosure mediation training. The Chief Judge will keep and maintain statistical data related to participation and results of mediation proceedings.