SPRINGFIELD, Ill - Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) passed a bill through the Senate today to address problems that arise for mobile home owners or tenants with the mobile home park property owners.

“Manufactured home or mobile home owners have found themselves in crisis mode when they suddenly learn that they must relocate immediately because the park they reside in has been sold, closed or foreclosed,” Noland said. “There are few or little resources for them to react to a short-notice need and expense to relocate or find temporary shelter.”

Senate Bill 1996 would amend the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act to allow the Department of Public Health to create a plan to address relocation needs of manufactured home or mobile home owners who are compelled to relocate due to the sale or closure of the manufactured home community or mobile home park in which they live. It also creates a Manufactured Housing Relocation Fund. The plan would be submitted to the legislature for review and approval.

“So many young families, senior citizens, and individuals with sometimes limited means live in manufactured homes or mobile homes and they should be entitled and empowered to have protection from unexpected displacement,” Noland said. “I want them to know they have rights and it is my intention to help defend them.” He explained that the Department of Public Health would work with lawmakers, home and property owners, and statewide organizations representing those groups to craft a plan to provide counseling and resources for displaced home owners.

Senate Bill 1996 now goes to the House for consideration.