COVID19-EMERG HOUSING ASSIST

Creates the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act. Contains provisions for: the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program; accessibility and transparency; process for further prioritizing applicants for financial assistance and housing stability services; and required notifications and correspondence. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes changes concerning the sealing of court files. Provides that certain new provisions concerning sealing of court files in a residential eviction action apply until August 1, 2022. Contains provisions for: the sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action; emergency sealing of a court file in a residential eviction action during the COVID-19 emergency and economic recovery period; and a temporary COVID-19 stay of certain foreclosure proceedings and filings. Makes corresponding changes to a provision regarding demand for rent and eviction actions. Makes corresponding changes in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the definition of "administering State agency" to any agency or department of the State that is eligible to receive a direct federal allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds that will disburse funds and administer all or a portion of the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Deletes the definition of "recipient" or "program recipient". Provides that any State agency administering the program shall provide rental assistance (rather than "program recipients with relief payments") in an amount based on stated need rather than on a flat or fixed amount. Provides that the administering State agency shall make any joint program application forms available. Deletes language requiring the administering State agency to make program application forms for utility providers available. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Human Services) The source for the Rental Assistance Program is federal and pending the final determination of the agency responsible for implementing the Covid-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, The Department of Human Services does not anticipate a significant fiscal impact to the department to carry out the duties required by HB 2877 House Amendment 1. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority) The Illinois Housing Development Authority does not anticipate any State fiscal impact because funding used is all federal funds.