Illinois foreclosure activity jumps in July

(AP) — Illinois home foreclosure activity spiked almost 35 percent in July compared with June as a state law that had stalled foreclosures expired.

A report released Thursday by Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac shows 14,524 foreclosure filings in Illinois last month. Filings include default notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions.

One in every 361 housing units in the state received a foreclosure filing in July. That's 63 percent higher than July of last year and eighth-highest nationally.

Nevada again had the nation's highest foreclosure rate — one in every 56 housing units, or more than six times the national average.

Other states with higher foreclosure rates than Illinois were Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho and Utah.