The Cook County Clerk's Office has assumed all operations and duties of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office and that office no longer exists. A land trust is a simple, inexpensive method for handling the ownership of real estate.Below are forms in PDF format regarding land trusts that do not necessarily require the assistance of an attorney. These forms are now interactive. For the Purpose of Securing: 1. Performance of each agreement of Trustor herein contained. 2. The FDIC may be able to assist you in obtaining a lien release if the request is for a customer of a failed bank that was placed into FDIC receivership. Recorders were charged with recording and filing all real estate deeds submitted to them, and with keeping a chronological entry book which listed them. As the largest title agency in Illinois, Greater Illinois Title Company provides a single point of contact for all title and closing related services. If you can't find an old deed, check with the County Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located.