The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's Down Payment Plus Program for Illinois and Wisconsin opens January 14.

John Baldwin, State Bank of Lincoln loan officer, indicates that if you meet income eligibility requirements and put down $2,000 on a home you can receive the grant.

Baldwin says the income levels are higher in DeWitt County due to the Clinton Power Plant. The loan usually opens in mid-March but in 2019 it is opening in January.

To have the loan forgiven you must stay in the home for five years. Baldwin indicates that if you leave before the five years is over you may have to pay back a percentage of the loan.

The income guidelines are based on projections of check stubs of the beginning of the year. For more information contact John Baldwin at the State Bank of Lincoln in Clinton at 935-3144.