WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a voluntary process. You aren't required to participate. It is a meeting between two or more people in conflict. A trained mediator, who is not part of the conflict, helps the group have a conversation. In this conversation the participants create their own ideas for solving their problem.
Mediation is different than going to see a judge or an arbitrator. At CCR we do not make decisions for people. We use mediation to help people find a solution that works for everyone involve.
CCR offers both in-person and virtual mediations with Zoom. Our in-person mediations are held at our downtown office near the Art Institute. Don't know what mediation on Zoom would be like? Watch the video on this page!
HOW DOES A DISPUTE OR A CASE REACH MEDIATION?
Anyone involved in the dspute can contact CCR to open a case. If you'd like to open a case, please contact our case management team at 312-922-6464 extension 222 or newcase@ccrchicago.org. If you are at court, you may ask the courtroom clerk or judge for mediation. Attorneys or judges may refer cases.
CCR also offers mediation through programs in the Circuit Court of Cook County. These include:
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The Daley Center
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Skokie courthouse
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Maywood courthouse
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Markham courthouse
CCR's other mediation programs include:
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the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
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the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC)
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the Community Consensus Project
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referrals from the Law, Chancery, Probate and Domestic Relations divisions of the Circuit Court of Cook County
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Bridgeview courthouse
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Rolling Meadows courthouses
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misdemeanor branch courts
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Juvenile Court
WHAT TYPES OF CASES ARE
SUITABLE FOR MEDIATION?
Cases that come to mediation may involve:
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tenants and landlords
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families
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neighborhoods
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juvenile offenders
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the workplace
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corporate
Cases do not have to have legal issues and/or lawsuits pending.
Use our handy flow chart to see if your case is a good fit for mediation.
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER MEDIATION?
Mediation is always an option if you are thinking about taking your dispute to court. Other signs that mediation could be useful include:
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if the dispute is ongoing
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if you want to keep a relationship affected by the conflict
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if the dispute is upsetting and affecting your daily life
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if you cannot afford the time and cost of a court case
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if you want to speak to the other party so they hear your concerns
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if you want to resolve the dispute without a court decision
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employment
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construction
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real estate
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health care
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church
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community
Anyone can bring a case to mediation!
Please contact our case management team at 312-922-6464 extension 222 or newcase@ccrchicago.org if you'd like to open a mediation case.
“We walked away with a resolution we both liked, and we’re getting along” - Mediation Participant
NOISY NEIGHBOR
Jessica was excited when she moved her family to a new apartment. But her neighbor started calling the police on Jessica for noise complaints. After the third complaint, property manager Lucy got involved. She served Jessica with a notice stating she violated her lease and had 10 days to move.
The dispute went to court and the judge referred them to mediation. Jessica and Lucy only had negative interactions before mediation. The mediator helped them find common ground. Both were mothers who made career changes to provide for their families.
With the mediator's help they felt more willing to see the other's perspective. Jessica agreed to move somewhere where she felt more welcomed by her neighbors. The parties left the mediation prepared to move forward.