The moratorium on evictions in Illinois is due to expire this fall. To help keep people in their homes, Illinois’ 14th Judicial Circuit is partnering with social service agencies in the Quad Cities to create an Eviction Diversion Program.
Judge Carol Pentuic says the goal is to intervene before a landlord files for eviction. Using money from the state, and local charities like the Salvation Army, the program will not only protect tenants, but help landlords stay in business.
“It is pro-tenant and pro-small business person. Because if this program works, then not only are people remaining housed, but landlords are getting paid. And when this moratorium lifts, you’re not just evicting tenants, but those landlords are going to have their properties foreclosed on, and the landlords saying, ‘Well, I’ll just garnish these wages.’ Well, guess what? They’re the third garnishment in, so they’re not going to get paid.”
Renters facing the possibility of eviction can contact Project Now or the Salvation Army for financial assistance and mediation.
John Deere will provide volunteer mediators through the Public Interest Law Initiative.
