https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/1421/Mortgage-Foreclosure-Mediation-Program

The Lake County Residential Real Estate Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program is designed to alleviate the financial burden on lenders, homeowners, and taxpayers caused by residential mortgage foreclosures and to foster direct communication between homeowners and lenders. Every residential real estate mortgage foreclosure action shall be stayed for 42 days from the date of service of the summons and complaint. If a housing counseling appointment is scheduled, the foreclosure litigation shall be stayed an additional 30 days. All discovery shall be stayed until the conclusion of the mediation process. Mediators in this program must be retired judges, members in good standing of the Illinois state bar, real estate brokers, or public accountants who have completed a 40 hour civil mediation course and a mortgage foreclosure mediation training program. Both the lender and the homeowner are required to participate in the mediation process in good faith, and the failure of any party to do so may result in sanctions against that party.