Hurley Advances Bill to Protect Victims of Fraudulent Deeds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Looking to crack down on fraudulent alteration to property deeds, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, passed legislation through committee this week that extends the program allowing clerk and recorder’s offices the mechanism to detect and enforce any fraudulent changes to property deeds.

“Imagine you’re about to refinance your house, or sell off a piece of property, only to find out someone is purposely delaying the process for their own gain,” said Hurley. “Navigating the legal system with these issues used to take years and thousands of dollars in legal fees to resolve, but this program expedites this process, bringing much needed relief to fraudulent deed victims.”

House Bill 3150 extends a program that allows county record keepers to help individuals expedite cases where there is evidence of recording fraud to an accelerated administrative law review process. If a judge rules that a document is fraudulent, it will allow a sale of the property to promptly move forward, a process that previously extend months or years. This program also allows a County Recorder to work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who filed fraudulent documents.

Following the program’s implementation in 2013, Hurley has worked with Cook County Recorder Karen Yarborough’s office to sign up over 4,000 homes in Cook County for the mortgage fraud program, and saved over 100 homes. The legislation passed out of the Counties and Townships committee and moves to the full House for consideration.

“Our job as legislators is to make government efficient, and advocate for programs that cut out bureaucratic red tape and makes the system work for the people,” said Hurley. “I’m glad the program has displayed real progress on this issue, and I am proud to codify it into law for years to come.”