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October 13, 2008

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State Helping Home Owners

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By News 25 Staff

Story Published: Feb 2, 2008 at 7:02 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2008 at 8:28 PM CDT

The nationwide mortgage meltdown has Governor Rod Blagojevich sending out a team of experts to educate homeowners statewide. Illinois Central College hosted a series of 30-minutes workshops on Saturday to help area residents in danger of losing their homes.

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Credit counselors and attorneys were on hand providing free advice for anyone who sought it. Illinois Housing Development Authority spokesman William Smirniotis says the Governor started this program in the fall of 2007 in response to the high rate of foreclosures throughout the state.

"Not everybody can be saved but many of them can especially it they come out early. The biggest problem we have is that a lot of people will not come up and say they a have a problem you can't bury your head in the sand the sooner you come out and say that you have a problem the more chances there are to be helped," Smirniotis says.

The Governor's office reports Illinois is ranked in the top ten for states with the highest foreclosure filings. Since 2006, statewide foreclosures have increased by 25 percent. For more information on 'Home Owner Outreach Days', click on News Links.