June 10, 2013

To the Honorable Members of the 98^th General Assembly:

I hereby approve Senate Bill 1674 and commend the sponsors for their hard work on this bill. Senate Bill 1674 is important legislation which will provide millions of dollars for foreclosure prevention counseling. Senate Bill 1674 will also provide funds to municipalities to utilize in the clean-up of abandoned residential property.

Senate Bill 1674 is companion legislation to Senate Bill 16, which was passed in the previous General Assembly after two years of hard work by the sponsors and interested parties. Through both bills, we will be able to combat housing blight by decreasing the time homes sit empty and, more importantly, help people to stay in their homes with the assistance of trained counselors who will provide foreclosure prevention counseling.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (“IHDA”) has been administering the Foreclosure Prevention Fund since 2011; under this legislation IHDA will also be called upon to manage the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, commonly known as the Abandoned Property Program. IHDA has a proven track record of effectively managing such funds and programs and I have full faith and confidence in IHDA’s ability to manage this new Fund in a similarly effective and responsible manner.

Keeping people in their homes, and keeping neighborhoods safe, have always been two of my priorities. Through Senate Bill 1674, we can accomplish both, while also returning properties to productive use, thereby creating jobs and increasing local revenue from real estate taxes. It is a win-win all of the way around.

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor