Recorder's Office

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH A PROPERTY FRAUD REFERRAL AND REVIEW PROCESS

To all interested parties and residents of Winnebago County, Illinois:

Pursuant to Senate Bill 1523 (Public Act 104-0382), effective January 1, 2026, every Illinois county must adopt a fraud referral and review process for recorded deeds and instruments, and must maintain a property fraud alert system. Therefore, the Winnebago County Recorder’s Office intends to establish a fraud and referral and review process to examine recorded deeds or instruments that may reasonably appear fraudulent, unlawfully altered, or intended to unlawfully cloud or transfer the title of any real property.

Under that process, any deed or instrument submitted for recording that causes the Recorder to reasonably suspect fraudulent content may be referred for administrative review (including possible referral to an Administrative Law Judge) as the statute allows.

This process will take effect 90 days from the date of this notice. The Recorder’s Office anticipates implementing the fraud referral and review process on or after September 8, 2026 (or such later date as determined by the Recorder).

Property owners are encouraged to register online for the free and voluntary Property Fraud Alert Program to be alerted of possible fraudulent recordings that affect their property. (Dated June 1, 2026)