2009 Spring Session

We would like to thank our allies and partner organizations that continue to support our efforts towards passage of legislation that is needed to protect homeowners. AARP had representatives from their group who attended hearings and the many meetings. AARP has offices located across the street from the capitol and when needed allowed Terry Nelson to use an office and staff person to research issues brought up in meetings and to help with many calls to MHOAI directors, membership and others when needed. We want to thank the Attorney General’s office for attending hearings and making available a great lawyer to attend our many meetings. Carolyn Carter, a lawyer from the National Consumer Law Center in Boston, supplied research, and joined in a meeting via speaker phone. The Housing Action Illinois organization was a pro-opponent with us at hearings.

Senator Susan Garrett and Representative Bob Flider are not new to our issues and have sponsored bills for us in past years. Both legislators attended the many meetings as true and educated advocates for the homeowners. Also attending several of the meetings was Senator Kyle McCarter who later signed onto the bill. A final list of sponsors and co-sponsors that signed onto SB 1920 are:

Senate Sponsors: Susan Garrett (D-29) Maggie Crotty (D-19) David Koehler (D-33) Michael Noland (D-22) Jacqueline Collins (D-16) Christine Radogno (R-41) Jeffrey M. Schoenberg (D-9) Pamela J. Althoff (R-32) Kyle McCarter (R-51)

House Sponsors: Robert F. Flider (D-101) Keith Farnham (D-43) Kathleen A. Ryg (D-59) Elaine Nekritz (D-57) Timothy L. Schmitz (R-49) Lisa M. Dugan (D-79) Elizabeth Coulson (R-17)