Sheriff suspends mortgage evictions

CHICAGO, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The Cook County, Ill., sheriff said he will suspend serving eviction notices at properties where owners have fallen behind on mortgage payments.

That includes no longer evicting apartment renters unaware their building mortgages are in arrears because the landlord didn't make payments, the Chicago Tribune said Thursday.

Cook County Sheriff Tm Dart said he knew he could be found in contempt of court for refusing to serve the notices but said he was willing to take the risk to carry out "justice," the Tribune said.

Dart said he considered his action necessary in view of the national foreclosure crisis threatening the U.S. economy.

Dart said foreclosures rose greatly recently. In 2006, 18,916 mortgage foreclosures were filed in the county and last year that number rose to 32,269. He said he expects 43,000 this year.

"Where mortgage firms see pieces of paper, my deputies see people," Dart was quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times. "Yet no matter how difficult they are, evictions are part of our job.

"What isn't part of our job, however, is to carry out work on behalf of the multibillion-dollar banks and mortgage industries."