Illinois: HB 4092 Increases the fine from $1,000 to $2,000 for each written violation when violating the laws relating to advertising in a foreign language. Illinois: HB 5579Mandates notaries to execute every notarial certificate with a notary seal using black ink so that it is capable of photographic reproduction. Illinois: HB 5926 Increases the maximum fees notaries may charge for notarial services from $1 to $3. ...read more

Foreclosure rates roseduring the first half of 2012 in many of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas when compared to the second half of 2011.  RealtyTrac said this week that 125 of the nation's largest 212 metropolitan areas (those with a population over 200,000 persons) saw increased foreclosure activity during the period.  Despite these increases, more than half of the areas still had fewer foreclosure filings than one year earlier.   Seven of the top tenmetropolitan areasin terms of the foreclosure rate were located in California with Stockton posting the highest rate with 2.66 percent or one of every 38 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing during the six month period, more than three times the national average.  Stockton was followed by Modesto (2.61 percent), Riverside-San Bernardino (2.59 percent), Vallejo-Fairfield (2.56 percent) and Merced (2.15 percent.)  The Riverside area also had the highest rate among the 20 largest metropolitan areas followed by Atlanta, Phoenix, Miami, and Chicago.      The greatest increases in the first half of the year came in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, up 47 percent, Philadelphia (30 percent), Chicago (28 percent), New York City (26 percent) and Baltimore (21 percent).  At the other extreme, Seattle saw a 24 percent drop in foreclosure activity with San Francisco (21 percent), and Detroit (17 percent) also showing improvement. * Chicago Forensic Audits | Loan Compliance, Forensic Audits, Chain of Title, and Securitization Reports Our audit partners get the facts on your loan…Audit Your Loan, Get The Facts, Sue Your Lender and Protect Your Rights! Call Today (312) 278-3412 or Visitwww.chicagoforensicaudits.com  ...read more

NEW ILLINOIS ID LAW FAQs What exactly IS the new ID law? In order to identify a document signer using "satisfactory evidence of identity," any identification document presented by the signer (card holder) MUST contain certain characteristics specified by statute. What is satisfactory evidence of identity mean? Satisfactory evidence of identity is identification of a signer for a notarial act based upon: (1) the Notary's personal knowledge of the signer's identity; (2) the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the Notary; or (3) current and valid identification documents issued by a state or federal government agency and bearing the photographic image of the individual's face and signature. What characteristics must every identification document presented to a Notary contain? Every identification document must be issued by a state or federal government agency and bear the photographic image of the individual's face and signature. It must also be current and valid at the time of notarization. Does the new law require an identification document to contain a physical description of the signer? No. The new law does not require a physical description to be present on the identification document. However, all State of Illinois id cards do list a minimum physical description of the card holder, which is extremely helpful in ascertaining the identity of the person appearing before the Notary. What are common examples of identification documents that comply with the new law? Illinois driver's licenses and identification cards, U.S. military IDs and U.S. passports are the most common examples of IDs presented to Notaries that meet the requirements of the new ID law. What are examples of identification documents that do not comply with the new law?  1.  Social Security cards - does not contain a photograph of the card holder. 2.  The New U.S. Passport Card issued by the U.S. Department of State - does not have a signature of the card holder. 3.  The New Military ID's - does not have a signature of the card holder. 3.  The University of Illinois or Any Student ID card - does not have a signature of the card holder. 4.  International Driver's Permit - not valid in the USA. 5.  International Driving License - not valid or legal in the USA. Does the new law apply to all notarizations or only to notarizations in which a Notary must complete a Notarial Record? The new ID law applies to every acknowledgment, verification upon oath or affirmation or signature witnessing performed by an Illinois Notary, not just to those notarial acts for which a Notarial Record must be created. How long does the new ID law apply? The new ID law is effective from June 1, 2009, through June 30, 2013. ...read more