Newly constructed homes in Illinois would be required to include the infrastructure needed for electric vehicle charging stations under a bill now on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. Read the article………………………..
Delay Upon Delay: Why 24 Woodridge Families Are Still Waiting to Return Home After 2021 Tornado (IL)
Two dozen families are still homeless after a tornado tore through their west-suburban Woodridge community back on June 20, 2021, and nearly two years later, they still have no clear timeline for when they will be allowed to move back in. Some of the Woodridge Country Club #5 owners blame their home-owners association (HOA) and […]
Simmons pushes to require air conditioning and heating for older residents (IL)
To ensure property owners who limit rental, ownership or occupancy to people ages 55 and up have ample heating and cooling, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a House bill out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Read the article………………………..
Resident with disability has right to ‘reasonable’ modifications (IL)
Q: A unit owner in our association claims the association is not required to allow a disabled unit owner to make a modification to the common elements to accommodate her wheelchair. That does not sound right. What is the answer? Read the Q&A……………………………….
2 Firefighters Injured Battling High-Rise Blaze on Lake Shore Drive (IL)
This incident happened just a day after firefighter Jermaine Pelt, 49, lost his life while responding to a house fire on the South Side. The elevators in the high-rise building were out of service during the time of the incident. Read the article………………………..
Frustration Turned Desperation: Woodridge Country Club Homeowners Remain Homeless 21 Months After Tornado (IL)
Two dozen homeowners say repair delays have left them homeless after an EF-3 tornado struck a year and nine months prior. Now, elected leaders have pledged to come to their aid. Read the article………………………..
Condo Adviser: Condo boards are not legally required to hire management companies (IL)
Q: I live in a sprawling, suburban condominium association that comprises 25 separate buildings with condominium units in each building. The association is self-managed because the board has refused retaining a professional management company to save money. Does Illinois law require a management company to be retained if there are a certain number of buildings […]
Threatening neighbor and the fear of violence (IL)
Q: I live in a manor home condominium in the suburbs of Chicago. For over 10 years, a particular owner has been a menace to our community. A large number of residents have filed multiple police reports against this owner for unlawful conduct he engages in at the association; he has been arrested on many […]
Condo owners in complex confused after two different management companies demand fees, assessments (IL)
Q: I live in a condominium complex in suburban Chicago. There’s a problem with the managing company for the property. Recently, the board of directors of our association hired a new management company while the association was still under contract with our old management company. They’re using an attorney to try to get rid of the […]
LOCAL NEWS Dozens left homeless after condo fire, partial building collapse in Palatine (IL)
fire at a condominium complex in the northwest suburbs left dozens homeless Sunday night. As many as 24 units were damaged or destroyed, and the stubborn fire even led to a section of the complex to partially collapse. Some residents said they are lucky to be alive. Read the article………………………..
Couple faces lawsuit from HOA after violating their allegedly ‘illegal’ neighborhood rules: ‘There was no reason’ (IL)
Mark and Jennifer Bassler live in Belleville, Illinois, in a subdivision called The Orchards, which is governed by an HOA, the Belleville News-Democrat reports. The couple moved into their new home in March 2020 and installed solar panels that December. The Orchards Homeowners Association immediately filed a civil suit to have the panels removed, saying […]
Streamwood condo building catches fire, units inhabitable (IL)
A condo building caught fire leaving severe damage to many units in Streamwood early Monday morning. According to the Streamwood Fire Department, upon arrival firefighters found fire and smoke omitting from the back of the second floor of a multi-unit condo building Read the article………………………..
91-year-old man faces eviction from former John Hancock Center condo, and he thinks it’s personal (IL)
A condo in the skyscraper formerly known as the John Hancock Center is the only home Jim Rodgers has known for a half a century – but now, some past issues have the condo board trying to kick him out. Read the article………………………..
1 killed in Palatine condo fire, officials say (IL)
One person was killed in a north suburban condo fire on Saturday morning, officials said. The initial fire crews tried to rescue someone from the second floor window, while other crews worked on extinguishing the fire. Read the article………………………..
Mail Stolen From Condo Building in Greektown While Thieves Leave Packages Behind (IL)
“They came in and stole the mail. My first assumption is W-2 forms, that are prime for identity theft. It has your name, social security number and salary,” Cabral added. Cabral believes the thieves used an arrow postal key stolen from a letter carrier to gain access to the building and mailboxes. Chicago police said […]
Man Critically Injured, People Displaced in 48 Condo Units, Fire Contained to Condo Unit on Olive St, Arlington Heights (IL)
A resident was critically hurt in a condo unit fire on Olive Street Arlington Heights, and people in the 47 other units had to find somewhere else to sleep overnight Wednesday to Thursday. Read the article………………………..
No Injuries In Fire At Oak Forest Condo Building (IL)
No one was injured in a fire at a condo building in Oak Forest Thursday night, Oak Forest Fire Chief Gary Kasper told Patch. Read the article………………………..
Condominium seller is not off the hook for unpaid assessments (IL)
Q: An owner in our condominium, with about a $15,000 unpaid assessment balance, sold his unit at a discount to a buyer for cash. The parties did not request an assessment status letter, and the board only found out about the sale when the buyer was moving in. Read the article………………………..
Woman in critical condition after condo fire in Hyde Park, hoarding may have accelerated blaze (IL)
Firefighters say “hoarding conditions” may have accelerated an extra-alarm fire at a condo building in Hyde Park that left a woman in critical condition early Tuesday. (Later reports state that she died) Read the article………………………..
Homeowner claims Holiday Shores HOA knowingly caused flooding on her property (IL)
A woman claims her homeowner’s association launched a construction project that has caused flooding on her property. Read the article………………………..
Developers retain control of new condominiums (IL)
Q: I purchased a new condominium in the Northwest suburbs about a year ago. I have spoken with a couple of owners about some issues we should address. They say we can’t do anything at this time as the association is under developer control. What does that mean? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Skokie residents battle condo conversion plan (IL)
Residents of a Skokie housing complex are trying to sway local officials to impose a new hurdle on an investor’s plans to convert condos into apartments for rent. Read the article………………………..
New association aims to unite local condo boards (IL)
Condominiums make up nearly 20 percent of Oak Park’s housing stock, according to the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University. Condominium buildings are governed by their own homeowners associations (HOA), but in general each board operates on its own without input from other similarly situated buildings. Read the article………………………..
Condo budget is more difficult in inflationary times (IL)
Q: In establishing the 2023 annual budget, the board of our association raised our monthly assessment using the federal Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase amount as a guide. Only three of the categories of COLA expense should affect association expenses. The association’s reserve funds are low, but raising them under the guise of COLA […]
Condo Developer May Seek Elmhurst Subsidy (IL)
A developer proposing a condo complex in downtown Elmhurst is presenting options for a smaller project at the request of zoning committee members and neighbors. But there’s a catch: The developer would then seek financial help from the city. Read the article………………………..
Stolen bike may be both a police and association matter (IL)
Q: Our condominium recently had a resident report their bike stolen from our bike room. We have the women who stole the bike on camera (we can’t identify her yet but we are pursuing that). When we do identify her, would this be a police matter or an association matter? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Viral ‘Stranger Things’ Halloween display will go on in Plainfield, despite complaint from neighbor
A“Stranger Things” character will continue to float midair outside a home in Plainfield for the rest of October after the owners decided to keep their viral Halloween display, despite opposition from a neighbor who was so incensed by the sudden influx of spectators that he chased some of them off with a bat. Read the […]
Plainfield family now says they are going to wait before taking down ‘Stranger Things’ display (IL)
The Appels said they have made “unreal progress” talking with local police and other neighbors, as well as the homeowners’ association. Read the article………………………..
Lawsuit: Estranged husband got into Streeterville building, murdered wife despite management knowing he was dangerous (IL)
Sania Khan was shot and killed by her estranged husband in a murder-suicide in her Streeterville building this past summer. This was despite building management knowing not to let him in following a prior attack and notification of a threat – as Khan’s family alleges in a lawsuit they just filed against the building’s management […]
Attention Condo Dwellers: This ‘Ballooning’ Spider May Land on Lake Michigan Buildings
As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more spiders appearing in your home, whether you live in a house, apartment or condo. Read the article………………………..
Why a board attorney can’t answer unit owners’ questions (IL)
Q. The association’s attorney attended a board meeting that was open to the owners. One of the purposes of the meeting was to adopt a special assessment. Owners raised questions and asked the association’s attorney to respond to many of the questions. The attorney would not respond to the owner’s questions. Read the Q&A……………………………….
New Illinois law may help homeowners sued over solar panels
A home in Belleville is an eyesore, according to a lawsuit filed by the neighborhood homeowner’s association. It’s over the placement of solar panels. Read the article………………………..
Springfield residents get Ring doorbells to help prevent crime (IL)
The Pioneer Park Homeowner’s Association gave Ring doorbells to local residents to prevent or help solve crimes in the area. President of the association, Angela Harris, says these doorbells were given out to serve one purpose. Read the article………………………..
New Proposed City of Chicago Electric Vehicle Charging Ordinance: What Do Chicago Community Associations Need to Know? (IL)
On July 20, 2022, a new ordinance called the “Electric Vehicle Right to Charge Ordinance” was proposed to the Chicago City Council – Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The proposed Ordinance grants unit owners (and tenants) the right to tie into a community association’s garage common electrical system to install an electric vehicle (EV) […]
Residents in subdivision near Gurnee Mills seek Lake County’s help on high-speed internet (IL)
Residents in the unincorporated Hunt Club Farms subdivision near Gurnee Mills are appealing to Lake County officials for help in making high-speed internet available. Read the article………………………..
‘Hoarding’ condo owner can be forced to sell unit (IL)
Q: Can a condominium association legally kick an owner out of the building because the owner is a hoarder and because the unit is “ground zero” for repeated and serious bug issues in surrounding units? Read the Q&A……………………………….
North Side residents fighting city over giant water bill (IL)
The saying goes, you can’t fight city hall. But that’s exactly what a group of North Side condo owners are doing after receiving a Chicago water bill for more than $10,000 in June 2020. “For that billing period they said we used 750,000 gallons,” says one of the owners, Travis Lankheet. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Dozens of Families Temporarily Displaced After Prospect Heights Condo Complex Fire (IL)
At least 32 families in suburban Prospect Heights have been temporarily displaced after a fire broke out in a pair of condominiums on Thursday afternoon. Read the article………………………..
Are owners’ baked goods a liability concern? (IL)
Q: From time to time, owners in our building bake things like bread, cookies and cakes, and leave them on a table in our lobby for other residents to enjoy. The board is concerned about liability exposure for the association if we allow this. Should the board be concerned? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Village Of New Lenox: Homeowners Association Information Sought (IL)
The Village of New Lenox is gathering information regarding Homeowners’ Associations for internal purposes only. The objective is to create an accurate contact list of HOA Presidents and Management Companies in order to improve communication between the Village and its residents. Read the article………………………..
Investors are buying condo buildings (IL)
Q. I live in a condominium. The association is fielding offers from prospective purchasers to buy the entire condominium property. The offers are for a lump sum for the entire property. How would each owner’s portion of the purchase price be determined? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Hinsdale Officials Want Age Rule For Condos (IL)
Hinsdale officials want proposed condos in an old private school to be age-restricted – in other words, for those 55 and older. Read the article………………………..
Outsiders trespass at private swimming pool (IL)
Q: The pool at our association has become a popular destination for trespassers on weekend evenings. These folks simply climb over the fence that surrounds the pool. One of the board members has suggested installing barbed-wire at the top of the fence, or having the fence electrified. Is this permitted? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Elevator woes at condo building strand Southwest Side woman at home for days: ‘Like in prison, like in house arrest’ (IL)
Kazimiera Ptak, 84, and her family are frustrated with the Ford City Condominium Association, which has been cited by the city for code violations over failing to maintain electric elevator equipment. Read the article……………………..
$5M loan fund created to help owners of South Shore condos, co-ops pay for maintenance and repairs (IL)
Assistant Housing Commissioner Will Edwards said the goal is to “enable long-time homeowners, many of them older on fixed incomes, to remain in affordable housing and remain in their homes and age in place.” Read the article…………………….
The Law Q&A | Solar energy has a home in most any neighborhood (IL)
Can a homeowner’s association, condominium association or other community interest residential association bar a homeowner from installing solar panels on their roof? With certain exceptions, no sir, no ma’am, they cannot. Read the article………………………………
Association can file a joint appeal of assessments (IL)
Q: The owners in our association are complaining loudly about the substantial increase in the real estate taxes for their units. I understand the board of directors can file a group tax appeal for all of the units. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Unit owner can be charged for insurance deductible (IL)
Q: I fell asleep in another room while filling the bathtub in my condominium unit. The water overflowed and damaged the drywall ceiling and walls in two units below my unit. The board is now telling me I am responsible for the association’s insurance deductible portion of the damage. If the association purchased insurance with […]
Will higher natural gas bills sink condo’s budget? (IL)
Q: The 2022 budget for our association includes a line item for natural gas. It looks like the actual cost for the year is going to be substantially higher than the amount budgeted. Does the board have to obtain owner approval for this increase in expense? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Judge to rule on attempt to block record-breaking Chicago condo deconversion (IL)
The last stand is coming up for two Chicago condo owners seeking to block a record $190 million deal led by Yitzy Klor’s Strategic Properties of North America, one of the state’s most aggressive condo deconversion buyers. Read the entire article……………………………….