Title
Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation of $20,000 of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for an Eviction Mediation Program in Fund 746 ARPA Fund.
Staff Summary
• The ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021. On May 19, 2021 the County received $67,646,879, half of the amount the County will receive in total from the US Treasury.
• The funds can be used for needs associated with public health, to counteract negative economic impacts, provide services to disproportionately impacted communities, for infrastructure, to provide premium pay, to replace lost revenue, and for administrative purposes during a period from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024.
• The 19th Judicial Circuit Court is requesting the assistance of ARPA funding in the amount of $20,000 to help sustain the existing Eviction Mediation program. A successful Eviction Mediation Program assists landlords and tenants to resolve their disputes at a rate of 70-80% and avoids the need for a lengthy or costly court process.
• With the termination of the federal and state eviction moratoriums, the 19th Judicial Circuit anticipates a significant increase in new eviction case filings, and as such, a significant increase in tenants and landlords that could benefit from Eviction Mediation
• The increase in eviction mediations will result in a significant increase of time commitment from the attorneys that are serving as mediators. To maintain the necessary roster of eviction mediators to meet the increased demand, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit believes it necessary to compensate the mediators at a rate of $50 per mediation.
• Authority to spend appropriated funds and execute any and all agreements with partners related to this allocation and distribution of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds is delegated to the County Administrator or their designee(s).
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, for several years, and with the assistance of trained local attorneys that voluntarily serve as mediators, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois, has established a successful Eviction Mediation Program to assist landlords and tenants resolve their disputes and avoid the need for a lengthy or costly court process; and
WHEREAS, the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the incomes of a greater number of tenants residing Lake County such that they have been unable to make monthly rent payments to their landlord during the pandemic, and if were not for federal and state eviction moratoriums placing a hold on eviction proceedings, would be subject to eviction proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the federal and state eviction moratoriums will soon be terminating resulting in the resumption of eviction proceedings; and
WHEREAS, with the termination of the eviction moratoriums, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit anticipates a significant increase in new eviction case filings, and as such, a significant increase in tenants and landlords that could benefit from Eviction Mediation; and
WHEREAS, the increase in eviction mediations will result in a significant increase of time commitment from the attorneys that are serving as mediators, and to maintain the necessary roster of eviction mediators to meet the increased demand, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit believes it necessary to compensate the mediators at a rate of $50.00 per mediation; and
WHEREAS, Lake County received ARPA funds from the federal government to help support Lake County recover from and respond to the negative impacts caused by this and future pandemics; and
WHEREAS, Lake County believes it is an appropriate use of ARPA funds to support the Eviction Mediation Program by awarding the use of up to $20,000 of such funds for this purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that an emergency appropriation in the amount of $250,000 is hereby authorized in Fund 746 ARPA Fund in account 746-1000064-71500 (consulting) to support the 19th Judicial Circuit Eviction Mediation program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the authority to spend funds in accordance with the appropriated budget and to execute any and all agreements related to the allocation of funds is hereby delegated to the County Administrator or his designee(s).
DATED at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois on October 12, 2021.