Advertising Yourself to be Robbed!

Does anyone really READ our the REO newsletters?  In December we wrote a warning about being very discreet when throwing out packaging for valuable items you may have just been gifted or just purchased yourself (like computers, TV's, epensive electronic gaming equipment or other electronics) so as not to advertise to any would-be theives as to what may be inside your home.  Cut up boxes and put the smaller pieces inside covered garbage cans or plastic garbage bags.  Today, as we were out cruising the neighborhoods we found this scenario (see photo!).  SCARY!  This person is advertising themselves to be robbed.  Don't make the same mistake! We all need to be street-wise today!

Your Opinion is NEEDED and VALUED!

     We are working with other property owners and managers from around the state of Illinois on laws intended to control crime in rental property.  Laws that deal with crime should be effective so that you can feel safe in your home and they should also be fair to both the resident and the property owner.

     In order to create good laws related to rental property, the people in government need to consider how people that rent feel about issues.  We want your opinion on how crime affects your life.

To fill out a (very!) short tenant survey, please go to:

http://www.irpoa.org/

     Your answers will be anonymous.  The survey is only 16 questions and will just take a couple minues to fill out.  You will have the option of signing up to get a report on the survey if you want to find out what other renters think about the issue.  This is being sent to renters across the state of Illinois, so PLEASE FORWARD this survey to your friends and family who also rent.

Thank you for your help

and for sharing your opinion on this issue.

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RentFreeport

for any updates we hear regarding to laws that will affect you.

CHANGES To Be Aware Of If You Receive Unemployment Benefits

For those of you currently on unemployment and receiving benefit payments on a debit card, and have changed your address in the last year, call 800-244-5631 immediately to update your address to avoid payment interruptions because your card is going to change in June from a blue VISA card to a red debit MASTERCARD by Chase.

You should have received an IDES red and white mailing that describes the change, but if you didn't, click here to find out all the answers: http://www.ides.state.il.us/pdf/debit_card/new/faq.pdf

The new red Chase debit MASTERCARD will usable starting July.

So, remember - if the IDES does not have your current address on file, you could experience a delay in receiving your card.  Be sure to update them by calling 800-244-5631.