Kane County Eviction Mediation Program

Welcome to the 16th Judicial Circuit eviction mediation program. Our free program provides an opportunity for tenants and landlords to resolve disputes, avoid residential eviction and pursue mutually beneficial alternatives. We designed our program to help reduce the financial strain and housing crisis caused by eviction.

Use the guide below to prepare for your first court hearing and the mediation process.

1Step 1 of 3

First Court Hearing

When an eviction case is filed, the court sets a first hearing date for your case. You can find the hearing date, time and location in your court paperwork. You can attend your first court hearing in person or online. Check your court paperwork for the court address or the Zoom information.

What happens at my first court hearing?

At the beginning of your first court hearing, the judge will share important information about the court process and the mediation program.
When your case is called, the judge may ask if you want to participate in the mediation program. If the judge does not ask you about the mediation program on their own, you can ask the judge yourself.

If you attend in person

Our staff will collect your phone number and email address. handouts describing mediation, other available resources.

If you attend online zoom

You will provide your contact information, including your phone number and email address, to our staff over Zoom and email.

What happens after my first court hearing?

After your first court hearing, our staff will email you to complete the intake process. Look for an email called “XYZ” from “XYZ”. Our intake asks questions about your case and your availability for scheduling mediation.
After our staff contacts both parties, we will schedule your mediation. Mediations are usually held online, but can be held in person in special situations.
Once we have scheduled your mediation, we will email you the date, time, and access details. Look for an email called “XYZ” from “XYZ”.

Click play to watch this video and learn what happens at your first court hearing:

What should I do before my first court hearing?

If you plan to attend your first court date online, test Zoom ahead of time. Download the app on your phone or computer and make sure your video and audio work.
If you need help using Zoom, you can use the Zoom guide [hyperlink to PDF].
Review the legal aid and rent assistance available to you in the Resources section below. Call or email resource agencies as soon as possible.

How to prep What should I do on the day of my first court hearing?

Arrive 15 minutes early if you attend your hearing in person. Arrive 5 minutes early if you attend your hearing online.
Bring a pen and paper. Cell phones are usually not allowed in the courtroom.
Ask the judge to refer your case to the mediation program.
Give our staff your phone number and email address during or after your hearing.

Important:

Within two weeks of your first court hearing, our Program Coordinator will contact you to complete the intake process. Please check your email every day during this time and look for an email called “XYZ” from “XYZ”. You can also complete your intake on your own: Complete Your Intake.

2Step 2 of 3

Mediation

At your mediation, your mediator will help you and the other person talk through the issues in your case. Your mediator will guide the discussion to help you try to settle your case. Your mediator does not decide your case or represent either person in the case. Your mediation will likely take place online, using Zoom.

What happens at my mediation?

At the beginning of your mediation, your mediator will explain the mediation process. They will go over the confidentiality agreement that everyone must agree to follow and answer any questions you might have.
After their introduction, your mediator will hear from both parties. Each party will explain their side and what they hope to get out of mediation.
Normally the plaintiff – usually the landlord or their attorney – speaks first. The defendant – usually the tenant – speaks after.
Your mediator will use their training to help both parties work through the issues and try to reach an agreement. However, it is important to note that you do not need to reach an agreement in mediation.

What happens if I do or do not reach an agreement during mediation?

If you reach an agreement, your mediator will draft a written agreement while you are still in the mediation session. Then, you and the other person will review and sign the agreement using DocuSign.
If you do not reach agreement in your mediation, your case will return to court and the judge will decide how to proceed. You may have a future trial date.

Click play to watch this video and learn what happens at mediation:

What should I do before my mediation?

Download the Zoom app on your phone or computer if you have not already done so. Make sure the Zoom app works.
If you need help using Zoom, you can use the Zoom guide [hyperlink to PDF].
Review the legal aid and rent assistance available to you in the Resources section below. Call or email resource agencies as soon as possible.

What should I do on the day of my mediation?

Find your scheduling email for your Zoom meeting ID and password. Look for an email called “XYZ” from “XYZ.” Contact us if you cannot find your Zoom scheduling email.
Join your mediation at least five minutes early if you are attending your mediation online. Arrive 15 minutes early if you are attending your mediation in person.
If you reach agreement in your mediation:

Important:

Before your mediation, be sure to download the Zoom app and make sure it works. Find your scheduling email for your Zoom meeting ID and password. Contact us before your mediation if you need help setting up Zoom.

3Step 3 of 3

After Mediation

After your mediation, our staff will tell the court whether or not you reached agreement. If you do not attend your mediation, we will report your absence to the court. Please note that not attending your mediation can have negative effects on your case.

What happens after my mediation?

If you reached agreement in your mediation, we will file your agreement with the court.
If you did not reach agreement in your mediation, we will only tell the court that you attended mediation but did not reach agreement. Because mediation is confidential, what you discussed will not be shared.
We will send you a text message with a link to complete a short survey about your experience in mediation. Your honest feedback helps us improve our program and train our mediators.
We may also share additional resources with you after your mediation. If you do not hear from us and would like resources, please Contact Us.

Do I have to attend court after my mediation?

You will likely have to attend court at least one more time after your mediation.
If you reached an agreement in your mediation, you will attend court on the date listed on your agreement.
If you did not reach an agreement in your mediation, you will attend court on the date the judge gave you at your first hearing.

Video for Clarity

What should I do after my mediation?

Find your return court date and mark it down on your calendar.
File an answer and appearance if you did not reach agreement and will attend court on the date the judge gave you at your first hearing.
Contact us if you need help locating or completing the answer and appearance form.
Complete your short post-mediation survey to share your honest feedback
If you need any additional support after your mediation, you can review the Resources section below or contact us.

Important:

You will likely have to attend court again. If you reached an agreement during mediation, your court date is listed on your agreement. If you did not reach an agreement during mediation, you will attend court on the date the judge gave you at your first hearing.

Helpful Resources

This is your first time in front of the judge. It is short — usually only
a few minutes.

Eviction Help Illinois

For legal aid and connections to other resources, call Eviction Help Illinois at 855-631-0811 or visit their website at evictionhelpillinois.org.

How to use this: