Who really regulates attorneys in Illinois?

In April, 2017, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) initiated prosecutions of two Illinois attorneys for alleged violation of the Real Estate Appraisal Licensing Act of 2002 (225 ILCS 458/Art. 1) (the “Appraisal Act”). The two attorneys were engaged in representation of clients and were attempting to obtain reductions in the assessed value of certain real estate parcels. 

Read More
articleRalph Schumann
TRID (TILA / RESPA Integrated Disclosure) Panel Discussion in Springfield

Ralph J. Schumann, who serves as President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (www.irela.org) recently participated in a TRID (TILA / RESPA Integrated Disclosure) Panel Discussion in Springfield with industry professionals. The Panel Discussion was sponsored by the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Read More
newsRalph Schumann
Support of Senate Bill 2688

Ralph J. Schumann, President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (www.irela.org), recently testified before a Senate Committee in support of Senate Bill 2688, which provides a mechanism for the IDFPR to curb certain abuses in the title insurance industry, and specifically authorizes IDFPR to take steps to prevent kickbacks and other practices which violate Section 8 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).  

Read More
newsRalph Schumann
Interviewed by the Illinois State Bar Association

Ralph J. Schumann, who serves as President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (www.irela.org) was recently interviewed by the Illinois State Bar Assocation as part of a series of short videos. Schumann was selected to discuss issues of interest to attorneys practicing in the area of Real Estate Law, and commented on changes to Forms affecting Real Estate practitioners with the implementation of TRID (TILA / RESPA Integrated Disclosure).

Read More
newsRalph Schumann
Lawyers Feeding Illinois program

Ralph Schumann, President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA), recently presented a check from IRELA to the Lawyers Feeding Illinois program.  Pictured below are Ralph Schumann (right) and ATG Vice President and Special Counsel John O'Brien (who is also the Founder of IRELA).  For more information, call 847.273.8700.

Read More
newsRalph Schumann
'We Were Told To Lie,' Say Bank Of America Employees

Recently, former employees of Bank of America admitted in sworn statements filed in a civil lawsuit pending in federal district court in Massachusetts that they were "told to lie" to homeowners, fraudulently denied loan modifications and were given bonuses, gift cards, and other incentives to intentionally push into foreclosurepeople who would have otherwise qualified for a HAMP or other loan modification.

Read More
articleRalph Schumann
Landlord-Tenant issues

Ralph Schumann, President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (www.irela.org), recently participated in the recording of a CLE program for ISBA's "Illinois Law" series on Landlord-Tenant issues.  Pictured above (L to R) are former IRELA Board Member Samuel Levine, Joel Chupack, Ralph Schumann, and program moderator Marty Dolan.

Read More