OVERVIEWMESSAGE
Authorizing Act
Public Act 95-0691 (SB1167)
Effective Date
July 1, 2008
In Cook County, for any mortgage application taken prior to July 1, 2008, but closed after July 1, 2008, a Certificate of Exemption will need to be recorded with the mortgage (see Recording Requirement) but the originator will enter no information into the database.
July 1, 2010
In Kane, Peoria, or Will County, for any mortgage application taken prior to July 1, 2010, but closed after July 1, 2010, a Certificate of Exemption will need to be recorded with the mortgage (see Recording Requirement) but the originator will enter no information into the database.
Purpose of the Program
To reduce predatory lending practices by assisting the borrower in understanding the terms and conditions of the loan for which he or she has applied. The act does not prohibit any type of loan. It is solely the borrower’s decision whether to proceed.
Web Address of Anti-Predatory Lending Database
http://www.ilapld.com
Program Area
Beginning July 1, 2008, Cook County, Illinois.
As of July 1, 2010, the program area expands to also include Kane, Peoria, and Will Counties.
(Properties located outside of Cook, Kane, Peoria, and Will Counties are not subject to the Act.)
Property subject to the Act
1-4 unit, owner-occupied residential
Exempt Property (Not Subject to Act)
Non-owner occupied property
Commercial property
Residential property of more than 4 units
Government property
Exempt Transactions
Reverse mortgages
Recording Requirement
As of July 1, 2008, in order to record any mortgage against Cook County property, a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Exemption must be attached to the mortgage. Mortgages executed prior to July 1, 2008, but recorded on or after July 1, 2008, will not require either certificate. Loan applications taken prior to July 1, 2008, but closed after July 1, 2008, will require only a Certificate of Exemption. It is the responsibility of the closing agent to determine which, if any, certificate is required and to print that certificate.
As of July 1, 2010, requirements concerning Cook County continue to be in effect. Additionally, in order to record any mortgage against a Kane, Peoria, or Will County property, a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Exemption must be attached to the mortgage. Mortgages executed in Kane, Peoria, or Will County prior to July 1, 2010, but recorded on or after July 1, 2010, will not require either certificate. Loan applications taken in Kane, Peoria, or Will County prior to July 1, 2010, but closed after July 1, 2010, will require only a Certificate of Exemption. It is the responsibility of the closing agent to determine which, if any, certificate is required and to print that certificate.
Database User Groups
Only the following three groups will be authorized as users pursuant to P.A. 95-0691. All users will need to register, obtain a User ID and PIN, and receive training in the use of the database.
- Mortgage Brokers and Loan Originators licensed by the Division of Banking
- Housing Counselors (must be HUD-certified agencies)
- Closing Agents
Entities Exempt from the Act
Any entity not required to be licensed under the Residential Mortgage License Act, such as banks and other depository financial institutions, as well as certain limited private lenders (such as an individual making a loan to a family member), is exempt from the Act. Exempt entities are not required to enter information into the database but must, however, obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the closing agent to record their mortgages. Loans by these entities may go directly to closing upon approval. If an exempt entity, such as a bank, chooses to close its own loans, it must register as a closer.
Standards for Housing Counseling
Note: One standard from group A and at least one standard from group B must be present or counseling will not be required.
Program Overview
A mortgage broker or loan originator uses a loan application to enter required information into the database. The database will first determine whether the property is exempt. If it is not exempt, the database will then determine if it will be necessary for the borrower(s) to obtain counseling.
If counseling is not required, the loan may proceed to closing. If counseling is required, the borrower(s) will be notified and given a list of all participating counseling agencies. The counselor will compare the information entered by the broker/originator with the borrower’s loan documents and other information provided by the borrower and enter recommendations. Whatever the counselor’s recommendation may be, the borrower will make the decision whether to proceed.
Unless the borrower chooses not to proceed, the loan now moves to closing. The closing agent will have access to the information needed to perform the closing function and will determine whether the loan being closed has similar characteristics to the loan entered by the broker/originator and counselor. If there has been no change in loan terms triggering one or more of the housing counseling standards in Section 73 of the Act or increasing the interest rate by more than 200 basis points per Section 70 of the Act, the closing agent will mark the loan "ready to close." The closing agent may make changes to correct errors. A Certificate of Compliance will issue upon closing. In the event that the closing agent discovers changes in the loan terms such that would meet another standard for counseling the loan cannot close and re-counseling will be required.