Des Plaines meeting addresses mortgage relief

Area residents who want to learn more about the Illinois Mortgage Relief Project, which aims to help property owners who are at risk of losing their homes, should attend an outreach event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. The Mortgage Relief Project was established to help homeowners take advantage of new government programs that can help lower mortgage payments, avoid foreclosure and keep their homes. Free housing counseling by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will be available at the Des Plaines event. Representatives of the Attorney General’s office also will teach homeowners to recognize the telltale signs of mortgage fraud. Attendees should bring their latest mortgage documents, including bills, statements, and notices, two most recent pay stubs, and a state ID or driver’s license. For a list of documents needed to complete a full application for loan modification, visit idfpr.com. The outreach event is organized by the offices of state Sen. Susan Garrett of Lake Forest, state Rep. Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook, state Rep. Karen May of Highland Park, and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Registration will be open until 1 p.m. To register for the event or for more information, call (800) 532-8785 or visit idfpr.com.