Glenview residents who pushed to save beavers in a nearby retention pond from an inhumane killing say they will no longer be trapped and killed. The news comes days after the homeowner’s association (HOA) of the Concord at the Glen threatened the use of “underwater traps” to remove beavers that continued to damage trees. Read […]
Board’s out-of-state meetings questioned (IL)
Q: Our condominium is located in Lake County. One of the board members owns a cabin in Wisconsin, and the board members occasionally conduct board meetings there. Is this proper? Read the Q&A……………………………………..
Glenview Residents at Odds With HOA Over Beaver Removal (IL)
Some suburban Glenview residents are worried about the steps their homeowner’s association could take to remove beavers from a neighborhood retention pond. Resident Katerina Pestova shared photos of the beavers, which often appear to be chewing on trees near the retention pond at the Concord at the Glen. The manager of the HOA said the […]
Shooter Targets Gold Coast Condos (IL)
According to reporting by a number of local and national news outlets, including the Chicago Sun Times and the New York Post, a trio of neighboring condominium buildings along Chicago’s Gold Coast have been struck by gunfire in recent weeks. Read the entire article……………………………….
Use of party room requires new rules (IL)
Q: The rules for our condominium association address the use of the association’s party room. The party room needs to be reserved, and the resident reserving the party room needs to sign an agreement describing the details of the reservation. The rules refer to the party room agreement; however, the party room agreement is not […]
Unit owners challenge plan to convert common elements to commercial space (IL)
The war between Newberry Plaza Condominium Association and a cadre of unit owners opposed to a proposal to convert to commercial space common elements of their high-rise has settled down for the moment but has not gone away. Read the entire article……………………………….
How to prepare for an annual meeting (IL)
Q: The annual meeting for our association will be held this spring. Do you have any recommendations for a timeline of issues the board should address leading up to the annual meeting? Read the Q&A……………………………………
Can owners review association books? (IL)
Q: An owner in our association made a request to review certain books and records of the association. The requested documents are not described in the Condominium Property Act. Can the association nonetheless provide copies to the owner? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Verbal resignations do not count (IL)
Q: The pandemic seems to be shortening the fuse of a lot of people these days, and the board members for our condominium association are no exception. Unfortunately, there are two board members in our condominium who really don’t get along with each other, and each board meeting usually includes an argument between them. Read […]
Indian Head Park townhome association sues waste hauler (IL)
Townhouse residents in Indian Head Park are suing the village’s new waste hauler to get out of the village’s franchise agreement. Ashbrook Townhomes Residential Association filed a lawsuit Feb. 26 against SBC Waste Solutions, claiming the trash removal company did not abide by the terms which Ashbrook and SBC had agreed upon. Read the article……………………………………
Nearly 30 sex offenders living in Englewood condo building: alderman (IL)
Members of the Englewood community and their alderman are demanding answers about the housing of more than two dozen convicted sex offenders in one building. “In my opinion, the landlord is just getting a payday,” said 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer. He’s referring to a 12-unit condo building on 66th and Perry where, he said, […]
How much to fine rule-breakers (IL)
Q: The consensus among our board and owners is that the rules of our association fairly reflect important issues and do not go overboard. However, the section on enforcement does not describe the actual fine amounts for violations of the rules. Should the fine amounts be stated? Read the Q&A……………………………..
Barking issues can result in fines for owner (IL)
Q: Like so many people, I have been working from my condominium unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have noticed a lot of owners in our association have dogs. During the workday, any number of different dogs may start barking for a few minutes. The barking of the dogs can be very distracting. I have […]
Association likely must pay to restore garage (IL)
Q: I live in a condominium association. The roots of a tree located on the common elements of the association have damaged the concrete slab of the garage floor of my unit. Who is responsible for repairing the damage to the concrete slab? Read the Q&A……………………………………
First condo board given opportunity to end long-term contracts (IL)
Q: The initial meeting of our condominium association, to elect board members, was recently held by the developer. Soon after that meeting, the developer delivered books and records to the board that include multiple contracts between the association and various third parties. Some of these contracts run for years to come. Is the association stuck […]
Condominium complex to disconnect from Lisle (IL)
A 15-building condominium complex will soon be disconnected from Lisle following years of disputes between the village and the condo association. The disconnection of the Lisle Place Condominiums along Blackhawk Lane is part of the settlement of a lawsuit the condo association filed against the village. Read the article……………………………………
‘Something Didn’t Smell Quite Right’: Moldy Mess In Country Club Hills Condo Building That No One Wants To Clean Up (IL)
It’s a moldy mess infesting a vacant south suburban condo, wreaking havoc on the neighbor upstairs. CBS2 Investigator Megan Hickey got a look at the rotting residence and a neighbor claimed the whole problem could have been avoided. Read the article……………………………….
Condo fire in Maine Township causes estimated $200,000 in damage (IL)
A fire that started and burned itself out inside a condominium unit in unincorporated Maine Township caused an estimated $200,000 in damage last week, a fire official said. Read the article………………………………….
Real estate agent can serve on the board (IL)
Q: A real estate agent serves on our condominium association board. This real estate agent lists many units in the building, serving as an agent for unit owners in the association. Does this board member have a conflict of interest that would prevent him from serving on the board? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Private lakefront association in Lake Zurich amends deal with village for policing services (IL)
The deal comes at the request of the Lake Property Owners’ Association. While the center of the lake is owned by the Lions Club, the LPOA has been responsible for the private lake’s rules enforcement since the 1980s, officials explained Read the article……………………………….
When a board can rule on an issue without owners’ approval (IL)
Q: I am a portfolio property manager and I have managed many condominium and common interest community associations over the years. One issue in particular seems to come up over and over again regarding leasing and pets. Under what circumstances must a declaration of condominium/covenants be amended with owner approval versus when can the board […]
$125,000 settlement to Gold Coast unit owner ends dispute over $500 fine (IL)
A condominium association in the Gold Coast has agreed to pay a unit owner $125,000 to settle seven years of litigation resulting from a $500 fine. 111 East Chestnut Condominium Association claimed the unit owner, Michael Boucher, had violated condo rules that prohibit “obnoxious or offensive activity within the association.” Boucher says the fine was […]
Law supersedes declaration for insurance purposes (IL)
Q: A water leak from a pipe in a unit damaged many units and the common elements in our condominium building. The insurance carrier has indicated that its coverage responsibility is limited by the antiquated language in our declaration of condominium. The board of directors of the association understands that language in the Illinois Condominium […]
Board must not ignore its maintenance duties (IL)
Q: The board of our condominium association frequently puts issues to a poll of the owners, even when the decision is solely within the jurisdiction of the board. Recently, owners were questioned about a significant common element repair project. A majority of the owners “voted” against it, as they don’t want to spend the money. […]
Couple’s Dream Home Purchase In Burr Ridge Turns Into ‘Ongoing Nightmare’ In Fights With HOA, Village Officials (IL)
Another year without their house; A Chicago couple looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle is making noise in a quiet suburb. They say red tape and much more has ruined their dream home. CBS 2 Morning Insider Lauren Victory lays out the allegations. The idea to build their own home in Burr Ridge […]
Association cannot hold raffle to raise money (IL)
Q: Our not-for-profit condominium association is short on funds for a couple of common element maintenance and repair projects. The board wants to hold a public 50/50 raffle in order to raise funds for this work. Can we do this? Read the Q&A………………………………
Condominiums are spoke on real estate cycle (IL)
Q: When was the first condominium created in Illinois? A: The Illinois Condominium Property Act was adopted in 1962 and was effective July 1, 1963. It is my understanding that the first declaration of condominium was recorded on July 31, 1963, in Cook County. It’s been “off to the races” since then, and there are […]
2 injured, several families displaced after Rolling Meadows condo fire (IL)
A resident and a firefighter were injured in a Rolling Meadows condominium fire early Tuesday morning that displaced 18 families. Witnesses describe a frantic effort to stop the fire at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, at a large condominium complex on the 2400 block of West Algonquin Road.Read the article……………………………………
Board is allowed to sue developer (IL)
Q: Our condominium association was recently turned over from the developer. An engineer retained by the board has identified numerous construction defects that will be expensive to repair. Negotiations with the developer broke down, and it looks like the association is going to file suit against the developer. Our declaration, prepared by the developer, requires […]
Burr Ridge Asked To Enforce Parking In Private Neighborhood (IL)
A resident in a private Burr Ridge subdivision requested police assistance with parking violations more than a week ago. This is a neighborhood where the city confirmed earlier this year that others have no right to walk there. Read the article………………………………….
When condo owners get stuck paying for a builder’s mistakes
Q: In 2006, we purchased a condominium in Chicago on the third floor of a three-story building. During those years, we’ve experienced water issues with the roof and windows and have repaired them as they have come up. Read the Q&A……………………………..
Golden Gloves on the Gold Coast in a battle over fate of high-rise (IL)
A Gold Coast battle of residents and unit owners versus the Newberry Plaza Board of Directors broke out in October and now may have spiraled deeper into acrimony and distrust, just in time for the holidays. The residents, who call themselves the Newberry Plaza Community Coalition, oppose a pending deal to transfer part of the […]
Owner is responsible for balcony damage (IL)
Q: Our condominium association is in the process of performing extensive repairs on the balconies. During an inspection by the contractor, it was learned that an owner used an epoxy to install carpet on the balcony serving his unit. It is going to be very expensive to remove the carpet and repair balcony damage caused […]
Lisle condo association sells water system (IL)
Illinois American Water has purchased the Four Lakes Village Condominium Homeowners Association’s water distribution system for $900,000. The purchase adds 57 connections serving about 1,300 households in Lisle. Read the article………………………………….
Board should be wary of advice from other states IL)
Q: One of the newer board members in our Chicago area condominium association is also a longtime board member of his Florida condominium association. His “go to” line at our board meetings is “In Florida, this is how we do it… …” Can the board rely on such input? Read the article…………………………………….
HOA helping those in need (IL)
One area in town wants to help families in need and is encouraging others to do the same. The Devonshire South II HOA is providing Christmas presents to people in need in the area. They are encouraging other HOA’s to do the same. Read the article,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Board’s meeting times are inconvenient (IL)
Q: Is the board of our association required to hold its meetings during typical business hours? A: There is no requirement that a board hold its meetings during typical business hours or at any particular time. Read the Q&A……………………………………….
Bloomington condominium fire leaves behind extensive damage (IL)
Fire crews from Bloomington and Normal were on the scene of a condominium fire on Tracy Drive just off of Oak Creek Plaza in Bloomington. Around 7:50 a.m. Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) was called to the 1900 block of Tracy Drive for smoke coming out of the building. Once on scene, they discovered the condo […]
Board’s meeting times are inconvenient (IL)
Q: Is the board of our association required to hold its meetings during typical business hours? Read the Q&A…………………………….
Chicago Not Enforcing Recycling Requirements For Businesses, Or Large Apartment And Condo Buildings, Watchdog Report Finds (IL)
Chicago has struggled for years to increase a miserable recycling rate, but a new report shows to make matters worse, city officials aren’t doing enough to enforce existing rules for large apartment and condo buildings or businesses. A report from City Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s office found Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation workers can’t […]
Surveillance camera videos are private property (IL)
Q: The board of our condominium association installed surveillance cameras at various common element locations in the association. What if I suspected my spouse is cheating on me with an old flame while I am at work? Could the board refuse my request for a copy of the surveillance camera video that could support my […]
Illinois Q&A
Q: Are there any laws that describe what insurance the association and owners in a common interest community association are required to maintain on the units and common area? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Declaration outweighs condo bylaws (IL)
Q: The condominium declaration for our association provides for a five person board of directors. However, bylaws attached as an exhibit to the declaration provide for a three-person board. Which number of board members is correct? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Glendale HOA orders removal of Black Lives Matter sign (IL)
Melanie Boyle hung a hand-painted Black Lives Matter sign on her home in July to show her support for the movement and its demands for justice. “I wanted to do this little act of putting up a sign and open more conversation about it in my area,” she said. Conversations with her neighbors went well, […]
Residents angry over deal that may take plaza away from Newberry Plaza (IL)
Plans appear to be afoot to add three floors of commercial space to the east side of Newberry Plaza, but some building residents feel they’re being left out of the conversation. Residents of the mixed-use building say their condo board has gone silent, refusing to answer their questions. They believe the plaza is being taken […]
Unit votes cannot be split in elections (IL)
Q: Each condominium unit in our association is entitled to one vote, regardless of the number of co-owners of the unit. Can the bylaws be changed to allow each of the co-owners of a unit to have a vote? If not, can the bylaws be changed to permit the vote be divided among the multiple […]
Burr Ridge Expands Surveillance Camera Program (IL)
Fourteen subdivisions in Burr Ridge have surveillance cameras that are connected to the village’s police department. On Monday, the Burr Ridge Village Board approved an agreement where a 15th subdivision — Carriage Way — would join the program. The neighborhood is investing $32,000 into cameras at the entrance to the subdivision, according to the village. […]
Order of protection issue stymies board (IL)
Q: A resident in our condominium association obtained an order of protection against another resident of the condominium; the two residents live in the units next door to one another. The order of protection requires the one resident to stay a certain distance from the other resident. The resident who obtained the order of protection […]
How 3 Glendale Heights officers saved 6-year-old, evacuated building during condo fire (IL)
The sound of an explosion. Windows shattering. And moments later, thick, black smoke billowing out of a condominium building. Other than those split-second observations, Glendale Heights police officers Bradley Lautner, Grzegorz Kapusciak and Robin Lambert had no context of the situation at hand or the dangers ahead as they ran into the Waters Edge condo […]
Residents upset about pandemic delays (IL)
Q: I have been a member of my common interest community association since the purchase of a new townhouse in November 2015. For all this time, the association has been under developer control. As of May, the threshold of sales was met to require the developer to turn the association over to the owners. Read […]