Resolution Systems Institute

More than 1 in 4 eviction cases filed in Kane County, Illinois, in 2025 were resolved through RSI’s eviction mediation program, and most participants were satisfied with their mediation and the process.

And just about everyone referred to mediation was also referred to additional resources, with 99% referred to legal assistance, 98% to housing counseling, 19% to utility assistance, and more. Get the details in our latest blog.

https://bit.ly/4cC45ph

September already?! It's Ok, you can still catch up on the August Court ADR Connection! 😅

Court ADR Connection Newsletter | RSI RSI's monthly e-newsletter provides updates on the latest news in court ADR from U.S. The e-newsletter also highlights recently published research on court ADR.

RSI's 2025 Annual Report is out! 🎉

We are excited to share our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a milestone year when we celebrated three decades of strengthening access to justice by enhancing court ADR systems.

The report also places our work in the context of the evolution of ADR as a field, looking at common themes and objectives in the quest to help ADR reach its full potential, along with RSI’s role in realizing these goals.

We invite you, as you read the report, to pause to appreciate your own important part in the story of ADR’s evolution!

https://www.aboutrsi.org/publications/annual-reports

RSI is seeking people to give feedback on court communications. It pays $75 for an hour of help via Zoom. Fill out the form or contact Jasmine at [email protected] for more info. Feel free to share with your networks! Thanks!

Have you checked out RSI's Power Imbalance Toolkit for Mediators? Differences in legal knowledge, resources and confidence can create a stark imbalance in dispute resolution. Our toolkit offers mediators concrete, context-specific strategies to recognize and respond to these challenges in real time.

Today's tips are designed to help mediators manage parties stress and fear during mediation.

Watch for:
> The tenant staying silent or appearing disengaged
> The tenant acquiescing immediately to agreement terms without asking questions or with noncommittal language
> The tenant crying, raising their voice or crossing their arms

The mediator might be able to help by:
> Acknowledging and validating the tenant's emotions
> Taking a break, repeating terms or asking open-ended questions to create space for the tenant to re-engage

For a more in-depth look at recognizing and addressing mediation issues related to managing parties' stress and fear, as well as numerous additional scenarios and solutions, check out RSI's Power Imbalance Toolkit in our online Resource Center. https://bit.ly/4xaRz8m

Not yet signed up for RSI's Court ADR Connection newsletter? Catch up on the July edition and sign up to get next month's delivered to your email inbox!

https://www.aboutrsi.org/publications/court-adr-connection-newsletter

National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) members, the Big Tuesday gathering at 6 pm Central/7 pm Eastern on July 28 will offer insight into the Center for Conflict Resolution Chicago's project to expand and diversify its roster of volunteer community mediators to ensure they reflect the diversity of the communities served. RSI conducted an evaluation of the project and prepared a resource guide for other centers.

RSI and CCR will share what they've learned. Register and sign up https://www.nafcm.org/news/news.asp?id=729420

Differences in legal knowledge, resources and confidence can create a stark imbalance in dispute resolution. That's why RSI developed its Power Imbalance Toolkit for mediators. The toolkit offers mediators concrete, context-specific strategies to recognize and respond to these challenges in real time.

Today's tips are designed to help mediators ensure parties understand court procedures and legal terms.

Watch for:
> The tenant staying silent and not asking questions even when issues or terms are complex
> The tenant nodding along but not saying anything

The mediator might be able to help by:
> Making it clear from the start of mediation that questions are expected and welcome
> Being proactive about explaining legal terms that come up
> Asking the tenant to restate what they have just heard in their own words

For a more in-depth look at ways to help parties understand court procedures and legal terms, as well as numerous additional scenarios and solutions, check out RSI's Power Imbalance Toolkit in our online Resource Center.

https://www.aboutrsi.org/mediation-power-imbalance-toolkit

Missed Jennifer Shack and Nick White at ODR Forum 2026? Now you can watch their presentation on Making Dispute Resolution Accessible at the link below. Thanks to the International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution and Colin Rule for the recordings!

Making Dispute Resolution Accessible - ODR Forum 2026 "Making Dispute Resolution Accessible" from the 2026 ODR Forum at H...

Check out the June Court ADR Connection newsletter for a look at how rental assistance affects eviction mediation, photos from a recent ABA Section of Dispute Resolution award presentation, and more! https://www.aboutrsi.org/publications/court-adr-connection-newsletter