ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 18, 2021) — Project NOW has partnered with the 14th Judicial Circuit in Rock Island County, the Rock Island County Bar Association, Prairie State Legal Services Inc, and the Salvation Army to develop an Eviction Diversion Program (EDP). The goal of the program is to cope with the onslaught of evictions once the Governor’s moratorium on evictions is lifted — possibly in August. The courts are concerned with the impact on landlords and tenants. The goal is to keep tenants housed while ensuring that small business owners are reimbursed back rent.
A news conference explaining the new program has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, 10AM, at Project NOW (418-19th Street, Rock Island). Attending the news conference will be the 14th Circuit Court Judge Carol Pentuic, Attorneys Michelle Fitzsimmons with Prairie State Legal Services, and Jennifer Kincaid with the Rock Island County Bar Association. Also available for questions are representatives from Project NOW and the Salvation Army, which will provide the funding for the back rent.
Cook County is the only other county in the state implementing this type of program designed to keep people in their homes while also paying landlords.
