Going green in multi-family buildings (IL)

In Forest Park, a condominium development is proving that it’s possible to live green in a multi-family building.  The board and residents are working together to back new sustainability measures that they think can be applied to other buildings in the area.   Read the article…………………………….

Board members should show their faces — live (IL)

Q. The board of our association conducts board meetings via video conferencing. One of the board members turns off his camera, or posts a profile picture instead of the live video. This board member does not contribute much to the discussion during the meeting, but does vote.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Associations should be careful when moving funds (IL)

Q. Our townhouse association is a common interest community association governed by the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act. Can funds be moved back and forth between operational and reserve accounts? For example, if money is moved to the reserve account because that account is paying the best interest, can funds be moved back to […]

Condo rules need to be specific to be enforced (IL)

Q. The board of our condominium association is reviewing our rules for possible update. One of the rules provides that the underlayment for hard floor surfaces in the individual units, like wood or ceramics, must meet standards established by the board. No one on the board can locate any sort of standards that have actually […]

High-rise residents still out one year after fire (IL)

For 55 years, Mildred Richardson has called a high-rise near Lake Michigan home. But the senior citizen has been without access to her apartment for nearly a year and there’s no end in sight.   Read the article……………………….

Two board factions causing chaos for management company (IL)

Q. The board of directors of our association is comprised of two factions. Each faction has a different agenda for the association. As a result, the association’s management company is caught in the middle, and the manager often receives conflicting directions depending on what board member is communicating with management. This leads to frustration by […]

Hancock HOA fields complaints about reserve fund, late fees (IL)

An accountant studying the finances of the condominium association at The John Hancock Center is accusing the association, its property management company, accounting firm, and a reserve fund consultant of “potential criminal activities” involving its reserve study and other financial documents.   Read the article……………………………..

Board members must be listed on the deed to serve (IL)

Q. There is a board member who is not on the deed of any unit in our condominium association. Her husband is the sole owner on the deed to the unit. Can this nontitle-holding spouse of the unit owner be on the condominium board?   Read the Q&A………………………….

No exemption to condominium law for small associations (IL)

Q: We are a small, self-managed condominium association. Complying with the provisions of the Illinois Condominium Property Act is extremely burdensome for us. Does the Illinois Condominium Property Act apply to all condominium associations, or is there some minimum number of units that is required to make the condominium association subject to that law?   Read […]

Who must pay for damage by rogue raccoon? (IL)

Q: A raccoon entered a unit in our association through damaged common element siding. The association is responsible for the maintenance of the siding. The owner claims the raccoon damaged the inside of the unit. That owner is now demanding the association reimburse her for the damage caused by the raccoon. Is the association responsible […]

Burr Ridge Limits Neighborhood’s Traffic (IL)

The Burr Ridge Village Board decided this week to restrict traffic going into the Chasemoor subdivision, where an estimated 500 people live.  The action came as residents in the neighborhood were divided over what to do. The homeowners association itself supported the changes.    Read the article………………………..

Unit owners must keep condo association active (IL)

Q: Our (self-managed Illinois) condominium association is comprised of eight units. Our declaration requires three to be board members. What would happen if we were unable to fill one of the board positions? In the most extreme case, what would happen if none of the eight owners were willing to fill a role and we […]

IL: Woman, 81, dies after condo fire breaks out in Winfield

One resident, an 81-year-old woman, was transported to Central DuPage Hospital where she died from her injuries, according to officials. She has not yet been identified as an autopsy is scheduled to take place on Saturday.   Read the article………………………..

South Shore Condo Owners Allege Hostile Takeover of Building (IL

It was 2014 and, like other condos throughout the country, the Silver Coast Citadel had been hurting for money. The 1920s yellow-brick courtyard building, which winds around the top of the 7200 block of South Yates Boulevard like a snake, had been developed into a condo in 2001. A beautiful, old building in a prime […]

South Shore Condo Owners Allege Hostile Takeover of Building (IL)

When an investment company first bought into her South Shore condo building, Monique Foster felt a wash of relief.  It was 2014 and, like other condos throughout the country, the Silver Coast Citadel had been hurting for money.   Read the article………………………..

Who is supposed to fix garage doors in townhouse associations? (IL)

Q: I live in a common interest community association with townhouse-style units.  The association is responsible for unit roof, siding and gutter maintenance, repair and replacement, and for painting the exterior of units, and for and lawn and shrub maintenance, under the declaration and bylaws.  Read the Q&A………………………………..

Signs Reveal Feud In Darien Neighborhood (IL)

Signs in a high-end Darien neighborhood are evidence of a dispute over the leadership of its homeowners association.  Residents opposed to the Darien Club homeowners association’s board held a protest recently in Driftwood Park. Afterward, some demonstrators posted signs in their yards.   Read the article………………………..

Condo association is not a charitable organization (IL)

Q: An owner in our condominium would like to donate landscaping to the association, and has requested a receipt for the landscaping. He and other owners have volunteered to install the landscaping. Can the association accept this donation, and should owners be permitted to install the landscaping?   Read the Q&A………………………….

No water for more than a week; condo owners blame broken pipe on city (IL)

Only on 2; fireworks of a different kind in Belmont Cragin this 4th of July, as condo owners are outraged by a giant leaking pit outside their building.  Fresh water is spilling into the street instead of their kitchens and tubs. Residents have been filling buckets just to go to the bathroom. One resident poured […]

Unit owner is allowed to see association work contracts (IL)

Q: Our condominium association hired a pest control company to perform seasonal spraying of the buildings for wasp and bees. I witnessed what to me was unacceptable work. The management company indicated the pest control company will come back out if requested by the homeowners. I would like to know exactly what is expected for […]

Condo Owners: IL Condominium Property Act Needs Updating

Some Illinois real estate corporations are getting large paydays by charging homeowners assessments for “common expenses,” and the owners allege they are taking advantage of the Illinois Condominium Property Act.  Read the article………………………..

Lakewood Springs Club HOA Candidate Puts Defunding the HOA on the Table (IL)

Daniel “Danny” Fuentes, a resident of Lakewood Springs Club in Plano, is voicing his discontent with the homeowners association (HOA) and aiming to secure a seat on the HOA board during this week’s proxy voting. Fuentes has garnered attention from fellow residents by suggesting that if the HOA fails to exhibit transparency and responsiveness to […]