Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Lake Cnty. 7-4.01
The purpose of the Residential Eviction Mediation Program ("Program") is to (1) alleviate the burden and stress on tenants, landlords, homeowners, and homeowner associations caused by residential evictions; (2) foster direct and meaningful communication and negotiation between the parties to a residential eviction; (3) provide an expeditious means of resolving residential eviction disputes and, where reasonable and possible, to provide an alternative to eviction; (4) prevent the backlog of residential eviction cases pending in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit; (5) keep families in their homes, where reasonable and possible, or provide families that are unable to remain in their homes with a reasonable means and timeframe for vacating their homes; and (6) reduce the negative impact of residential evictions on Lake County residents, neighborhoods, and communities.
Mediation is intended to be non-adversarial in nature. The role of the court-appointed mediator assigned to your case will include, but is not limited to, assisting the parties in identifying the issues, identifying resources which may be useful to either of the parties, exploring settlement alternatives, and helping the parties reach an agreement to avoid the expense and consequences of a trial.
Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Lake Cnty. 7-4.01