“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Randy Schulenburg

Taylor did a good thing that day - She Gave Hope . . .

I was showing homes the other day to some excited future homeowners. These homeowners had gone through some tough times of otheir own as they had previously lost a home to foreclosure. They had gone through the gauntlet of trials and shattered dreams but had now emerged stronger and ready once again to make homeownership a reality.

My clients could really relate to a note that was stapled to the door of one of the homes we previewed that day. The note was from 'Taylor'. I snapped a picture of it as a reminder to all of us and will let the note speak for itself.

Jeremiah 29:11

Taylor Did a Good Thing that Day

She shared something she was reading in the Bible and then prayed for his friends who were losing their home due to tough times. But then she acted further and took the time to write a note of encouragement and give it to her friends. We should do the same. It obviously meant a lot to this family who stapled it to their door as a daily reminder that their friend 'Taylor' cares, God will listen to their prayers and carry them through this mess.

For those of you going through tough times may this note act as an encouragement to you as well. There is 'life after losing a home' to foreclosure, short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Whatever the means by which you move on just remember that it's not the end.

God Never Fails

Family may fail. Friends may dissapoint. Dreams may get shattered. Savings may disappear. Jobs may be non-existent or downsized to an income level not seen in 20 years. All hope may seem lost but God never fails.

God is the anchor that gives hope for the future.

Thank you Taylor, whoever you are, for your words of encouragement most likely meant only for the eyes of your dear friends but now appreciated by anyone reading this note who may be going through tough times of their own.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Barrington IL Real Estate Issues: What's the Problem?

It's a problem that's not going away anytime soon. It's also a Nationwide problem and not just isolated to your area. The problem is that as of this writing 30% +/- of all homeowners Nationwide owe more on their home than what it is currently worth.

Now for those who have not lost their job, been downsized or had some other hardship occur in their lives to where they can no longer afford their mortgage payments, too owe more on their house than its current value is really not an issue. After all, you're still able to make the payments and maybe even take advantage of some of the lowest mortgage rates than most of us have ever experienced.

"But what about me?"; you may ask. I am having a really tough time making ends meet every month. The mortgage on my house is the single biggest payment I'm obligated to make every month. And frankly, I just can't continue living like this. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE!

Well, you're right. Something has to change! And if you keep doing the same thing, over and over again expecting different results, it's just not going to happen! As a matter of fact, some would consider that to be the definition of insanity.

Do you really want your current housing situation to cause you to go insane? You can do something proactive about your situation that may even put you in a position to purchase another home in your same neighborhood within the next few years.

Your first step should be to schedule a CONFIDENTIAL Appointment with an experienced professional who may review your situation for FREE and then respond with a solid plan, based upon your goals, that will create short and long term POSITIVE results for you and/or your family.

Call me today and my team and I can start you on that track towards 'Exiting Gracefully' from your home if that is the best plan based upon your current situation. Your options could be:

  • Mortgage Refinance through Lender IF not in a negative equity position on your home
  • Mortgage Refinance through a Government Initiated Program IF in a negative equity position on your home
  • Mortgage Loan Modification through Lender
  • Mortgage Loan Modification through a Government Initiated Program
  • 'Short Sale' - Lender forgives you of the difference in the debt on your home with what you are 'short' when you close
  • Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure - AFTER your home has been listed for at least 3 months this may be an option, but not as good as 'Short Selling'
  • Foreclosure - this should be your LAST option, but may be the only option based on your situation

Call me today to schedule an appointment for November. Due to the large numbers of appointments October has filled up.

Dr. Erwin Lutzer to speak at Administer Justice Upcoming Banquet . . . You're Invited!

Administer Justice is an organization that relies heavily on donations as they assist 'Administer Justice through a comprehensive program of education outreach, legal assistance, financial counseling and conflict resolution services. They empower the powerless, give hope to the hopeless and show compassion and mercy to those in need.

Consider joining me on Thursday, November 10 at their annual fundraising banquet. The details are below and registration ends this week.

Administer Justice Annual Fundraising Banquet. Save the date!

Our annual banquet will be Thursday, November 10, in the Grand Ballroom of Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace. Dinner will be served at 6:45 pm; doors open at 6:00.

Featuring Keynote Speaker, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Senior Pastor of The Moody Church and renowned radio personality and best-selling author.


Event details:

Tickets are free. No minimum donation is required. If you would like to reserve a seat, e-mail celebrate@administerjustice.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it call Leah at 847-844-1100, X27.

If you would like to be a Table Host(no cost to do so; simply fill your reserved table of 10 with friends and family), e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Leah at the number above.

If you would like to be a sponsor or advertiser for the event, call Leah or e-mail celebrate@administerjustice.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

<!-- content end --><!-- mainmiddle end -->

Fight for Equal Justice for the Poor should go VIRAL! Spread the Word . . .

raising the bar logo

Dear Friends and Associates,

Three weeks from today will be the most critical day in Administer Justice's 11-year history.

It will determine whether or not they will be able to reduce their clients' wait (and worry) time to under 3 weeks before they can see an attorney.

It will determine whether or not they will be able to add a staff attorney who can help them manage the explosive outcry from the suburban poor for equal justice under the law.

It will determine whether or not their plans to expand their outreach into additional communities can go forward.

Three weeks from today, their annual 'Raising the Bar' banquet will set their course for the next year and beyond. Now that 1 out of 6 Americans exist in poverty -- and Illinois' statistics being even more grim -- their access to financial support has never been more important.


If you've been thinking about registering, placing an ad, or donating a sponsorship but haven't done so yet,

I urge you to make that decision today. Join me at my table. I am sponsoring as many tables as I can get people to fill. Each table sits 10 people. Can I count on you to attend?

All the details are below:

Click HERE To Register For 10th Year Celebration Banquet!! Save The Date!!

Our Annual Banquet is

Thursday, November 10!


Click HERE To Register For 10th Year Celebration Banquet!!

Dr. Erwin Lutzer (Keynote Speaker)

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, senior pastor of The Moody Church, best-selling author and renowned radio personality, will deliver the keynote address.

Tickets are free! This is our primary fundraiser for the year, but no minimum donation is required.

Drury Lane Grand Ballroom
100 Drury Lane
Oak Brook Terrace

Dinner: Thursday, Nov 10. Doors open at 6pm; Dinner is served at 6:45

Click HERE To Register For 10th Year Celebration Banquet!!

Get Involved! For sponsorship, advertising, or table hosting information, click here to send us an e-mail.

I want to help...

There are several ways you can help make a difference in the lives of those in need.

  • Volunteer

    “Volunteering at Administer Justice has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It is great to be a part of an organization that is so dedicated to helping others. They are a truly inspiring group of people.” Gretchen, volunteer.

    Join hundreds of professional and non-professional volunteers donating thousands of hours to serve the disadvantaged in our community. More...

  • Donate

    “I’m grateful to play a part in so many people’s lives through giving to the ministry of Administer Justice. It is very rewarding to hear how local lives have been positively influenced by the dedication of their staff and volunteers.” Randy, donor.

    With so many of our professional services provided by volunteers, we are able to turn your single dollar into almost $50 of services to the community!

    We hope you will consider supporting Administer Justice and making a difference in your community. Our secure online donation system is one way to start and we have other opportunities as well. More...


Your support will change lives by providing help through the law and hope through the Gospel.

Pastor Appreciation Breakfast brings
33 local clergy together

pastor event 2011

This past Wednesday morning, Administer Justice celebrated the work of the local church on behalf of the poor in their communities. 33 area pastors sat down to breakfast to enjoy a respite from their busy schedules, and receive an update on suburban poverty and the need for equal access to justice.

Executive Director Bruce Strom brought to light the grim statistics about the state of poverty, particularly within our service areas of Kane and DuPage County.

For example, Administer Justice is at the forefront of intervening on behalf of the over 1600 homeless school children within the Elgin school district. For those still living in a home, they are working with many of their parents on matters of foreclosure, through free foreclosure workshops and legal advocacy. As poverty continues its pervasive march into the suburbs, they are working with local churches to spread the word about their ministry to those in their flock who are now experiencing a season of poverty.

Want to read more about
the effects of poverty
on people just like you and me?


Perhaps one of the best articles written thus far to bring clarity about how quickly the affluent can fall into poverty was published in the Chicago Tribune.

Titled: "From Good Times to Bad Times", the article chronicles the downward spiral into poverty that is happening all too often right in our own neighborhoods -- even those with the toniest zip codes.

Click here to read more about how many of our neighbors are struggling to get by.

We need your help to spread the word about Administer Justice!

If a skateboarding dog can go viral, shouldn't the fight for equal justice for the poor do the same?

We have a facebook page and we'd sure appreciate it if you would "like" us so our postings will show up on your wall. Go to www.AdministerJustice.org to go to our page right now!

Northwest Suburbs of Chicago: Exit Gracefully - 'Short' Sell Your Home or Foreclose?

It's a problem that's not going away anytime soon. It's also a Nationwide problem and not just isolated to your area. The problem is that as of this writing 30% +/- of all homeowners Nationwide owe more on their home than what it is currently worth.

Now for those who have not lost their job, been downsized or had some other hardship occur in their lives to where they can no longer afford their mortgage payments, too owe more on their house than its current value is really not an issue. After all, you're still able to make the payments and maybe even take advantage of some of the lowest mortgage rates than most of us have ever experienced.

"But what about me?"; you may ask. I am having a really tough time making ends meet every month. The mortgage on my house is the single biggest payment I'm obligated to make every month. And frankly, I just can't continue living like this. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE!

Well, you're right. Something has to change! And if you keep doing the same thing, over and over again expecting different results, it's just not going to happen! As a matter of fact, some would consider that to be the definition of insanity.

Do you really want your current housing situation to cause you to go insane? You can do something proactive about your situation that may even put you in a position to purchase another home in your same neighborhood within the next few years.

Your first step should be to schedule a CONFIDENTIAL Appointment with an experienced professional who may review your situation for FREE and then respond with a solid plan, based upon your goals, that will create short and long term POSITIVE results for you and/or your family.

Call me today and my team and I can start you on that track towards 'Exiting Gracefully' from your home if that is the best plan based upon your current situation. Your options could be:

  • Mortgage Refinance through Lender IF not in a negative equity position on your home
  • Mortgage Refinance through a Government Initiated Program IF in a negative equity position on your home
  • Mortgage Loan Modification through Lender
  • Mortgage Loan Modification through a Government Initiated Program
  • 'Short Sale' - Lender forgives you of the difference in the debt on your home with what you are 'short' when you close
  • Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure - AFTER your home has been listed for at least 3 months this may be an option, but not as good as 'Short Selling'
  • Foreclosure - this should be your LAST option, but may be the only option based on your situation

Call me today to schedule an appointment for November. Due to the large numbers of appointments October has filled up.