Illinois Summons Residential Foreclosure Mediation is a process in which the parties involved in a residential foreclosure in Illinois agree to resolve their dispute through mediation, instead of through litigation. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process whereby a neutral third-party mediator helps the parties involved to reach an agreement on the foreclosure issue. This type of mediation process is used to help the parties negotiate a resolution to the foreclosure issue, such as a repayment plan, mortgage modification, or other resolution. The process is designed to help the parties involved reach a fair and equitable agreement, while protecting the homeowner’s rights. There are three types of Illinois Summons Residential Foreclosure Mediation: Circuit Court Foreclosure Mediation Program, Foreclosure Settlement Conference Program, and Foreclosure Mediation Program of the Illinois Supreme Court. Each of these programs provides a specific set of rules and procedures that must be followed in order to participate in the mediation process. The Circuit Court Foreclosure Mediation Program is a free program provided by the Circuit Court of Cook County, while the Foreclosure Settlement Conference Program is a fee-based program offered by the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Foreclosure Mediation Program of the Illinois Supreme Court is a free program offered by the Illinois Supreme Court.