At least six people were injured, two of them critically, in a high-rise fire in the Loop. Officials say the fire broke out just before 1 a.m. Tuesday on the 32nd floor of a building at 400 East Randolph. Read the article……………………………
Classified ads allowed on association website (IL)
Q: The board of our association created an elaborate association website. The website includes a “classified ad” page that allows owners to advertise items for sale. The association charges a fee for the ads, as a revenue generator. In some instances, the association charges a flat fee, in other situations the board wants to charge […]
Orland Park residents urge village to reconsider plan of planting native grasses around detention pond (IL)
He and other residents that surround Eagle Ridge Pond have signed a petition in hopes Orland Park officials will reverse plans that call for planting native grasses around the pond’s perimeter. Residents say that would affect the aesthetics of their neighborhood. Read the article………………………………..
Condominium must allow census worker to enter building (IL)
Q: A census worker contacted our condominium association in connection with the 2020 federal census. The census worker asked to be admitted into the condominium building, to which the entry doors are locked. Does our association need to admit census workers to the property? Read the article………………………………….
Fire in Glendale Heights condo complex leaves 2 dead, 1 injured (IL)
Residents were stunned to see flames shooting out of the building; one resident was awakened by his frightened children. “I’m all the way across the pond and it felt like the fire was in my face,” Darius Jones said. “I heard a boom, so I was thinking it was something inside the house that was […]
Board members may not waive portion of their assessments (IL)
Q: We have difficulty in recruiting candidates for the board of our condominium association. To attract candidates, the board would like to either waive some portion of the assessments for board members, or pay board members. Is this permitted? Read the Q&A………………………………..
These River North condo owners couldn’t be deconverted (IL)
It would have been the biggest condo deconversion in Chicago history. But in the end, enough owners of the 467-unit River North tower balked at the planned $188 million bulk sale, and it was rejected in a Tuesday night vote, according to Crain’s. That followed an appellate court decision earlier in the day, which refused […]
After sale of their condo, unit owners sue board, saying it took low offer (IL)
Millions of dollars were lost when a condo board in Streeterville approved a sale last year but ignored a better offer, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. Read the article……………………………….
Chicago Property Management Company President Says Residents, Staff Feel Unsafe Amid Crime, Unrest, Demands Action From Mayor (IL)
The president of a Chicago-based property management company issued a letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday – saying residents and building staff do not feel safe amid civil unrest, looting, and crime in the city, and blamed the city for a lack of support. The letter was issued by Steven P. Levy, president of […]
Condo Neighbors Create ‘Land Of Make Believe’ With Field Of Inflatable Unicorns To Battle Coronavirus Blues (IL)
On a quiet residential side street in Uptown lives the “Land of Make Believe.” Or at least that’s what the neighbors of the condo building at 908 W. Agatite Ave. are calling their elaborately decked-out courtyard. About 40 inflatable lawn decorations cover the building’s courtyard, with everything from a pride-flag-wearing monkey, Christmas-themed dinosaurs and a […]
REAL ESTATE MATTERS: Board member seeks approval for change in documentation
Q: I am on the board of a condo association and it was brought to our attention by a past owner who was selling his unit that a potential buyer noticed that the par value noted in the governing documents of our association did not match that in the multiple listing services in our local […]
Association may enforce traffic laws on private streets and impose fines (IL)
Q: The streets in our detached single family home common interest community association are private. Some of the younger drivers, and even some older ones, drive at speeds that rival the interstate, despite the posted speed limit of 10 mph. Can the association issue speeding tickets to these offenders? Read the Q&A………………………….
Lawsuit: Rafaello Hotel owners breached duty to condo association members in ‘self-serving’ condo bulk sale deal (IL)
A group of owners within the Rafaello, Chicago’s only so-called “condo hotel,” have sued members of their condo association’s board, asserting they violated their duty to the association and enriched themselves by pushing through a “self-dealing sale” of the Rafaello for millions of dollars less than a competing offer. Read the article…………………………..
Residents’ generator may disturb neighbors (IL)
Q: A resident in our detached single-family home homeowners’ association submitted a request to install a natural gas-powered generator on his lot. It would supply power to his home in the event of a power failure. The board is concerned about the loud noise it would generate during weekly, 10-minute or so automatic testing of […]
Wisconsin woman accused of money laundering, theft in Fox Lake (IL)
An eight-month investigation by the Fox Lake Police Department and other agencies has led to a Wisconsin woman’s arrest on two counts of theft and three counts of money laundering of funds in excess of $1 million. Fifty-year-old Michele L. Kirk, also known as Michele L. Fitte, was arrested Thursday and charged with five felonies […]
Attending virtual board meetings
Q: The board of our condominium association is conducting its meetings via video conference while the governor’s COVID-19 executive orders limit in-person gatherings. Owners can “attend” these video board meetings via a computer hyperlink provided by the board. However, not every owner in our association has a computer or is “tech savvy” enough to use […]
Rules for expedited budget process (IL)
Q: Traditionally, the board of our association held a meeting of the owners to discuss the proposed budget before the board voted on the budget. The board does not intend on doing that this year. Rather, the board will only call a meeting of the board to adopt the budget. Is the board required to […]
Round Lake Beach woman says Fairfield Village HOA made her remove signs celebrating son’s graduation (IL)
A woman in Round Lake Beach said she was forced to remove signs from her window and yard celebrating her son’s graduation and her church. Shara Wright said her son Aidan had recently graduated from 8th grade with top honors. “He has accomplished so much this year,” she said. “He was one of the top […]
Private sessions of the board allowed in specific instances (IL)
Q: Our board has received conflicting information about what matters it can discuss in private in an “executive session.” Can you explain what matters can be addressed in an “executive session?” Read the Q&A……………………
Stuck At Home During Pandemic, Construction Noise Driving Some People Nuts (IL)
Although the mayor can shutdown the lakefront and major parks, city officials said they have chosen to let condominium associations make the call on halting building construction. That could cause a conundrum for some condo associations. “We as representatives of the building could be sued for tortuous inference on a contract,” one anonymous woman told […]
Fire rips through Lisle condo building, injuring 1 (IL)
A person suffered minor injuries Tuesday night in a fire that tore through a Lisle condominium building in the west suburbs. Read the article…………………………
Recreational weed is legal, but condo associations can still restrict smoking it inside (IL)
Q. Now that recreational cannabis is legal in Illinois, my condo association is attempting to adopt a restriction to our governing documents to prohibit the smoking of cannabis in my unit. How can this be allowed if recreational cannabis is now legal? Read the Q&A…………………………………..
Neighbors helping neighbors during pandemic in Palos Park neighborhood (IL)
Mike Schimanski said a good friend recently sent him an article through Facebook Messenger about how an Australian couple developed a system with their 92-year-old neighbor for her to signal if she needed anything during the ongoing pandemic. Schimanski thought that could be a good system to use in his Palos Park neighborhood. Read […]
Suburban woman forced to remove ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ sign over homeowners’ association rules (IL)
A homeowner in the southwest suburbs is angry after she was told her sign promoting social distancing isn’t allowed. Bette Borse put a “Stay Home, Save Lives” sign in front of her house in Willowbrook. She said a neighbor complained that it’s in violation of their homeowners’ association’s rules about signs. Read the article……………………………
Owners might have right to keep sunshade (IL)
Q: We own a condominium unit that faces west. More than 10 years ago, my husband and I approached the then board president and requested permission to install a sunshade on the exterior of the unit. The president gave us verbal permission, and we installed the shade. In 2019, the board filed a lawsuit against […]
Assessment Collections & Board Member Obligations During the Coronavirus Crisis (IL)
As you can imagine, our law firm has received an unprecedented number of questions regarding assessments during the current crisis. We certainly understand and empathize with boards and unit owners alike. More importantly, we are very aware of the board’s delicate balance between fulfilling their legal obligations to the Association and assisting their fellow unit […]
Mail delivery to Naperville condominium complexes suspended, putting seniors at greater risk of coronavirus when retrieving mail from the post office (IL)
Monday marked the fourth day residents of two north side Naperville condominium complexes have not received mail delivery, an action condo officials believe was triggered by postal service concerns about the spread of coronavirus. Read the article………………………..
Illinois Stay at Home Order: Effects on Community Associations
“Illinois Stay at Home Order: Effects on Community Associations” – KSN attorney Jessica Ryan reviews the “Stay at Home Order” issued by Illinois Governor Pritzker and how it impacts landlords and rental property managers. She also discusses the effects this order has on evictions and foreclosures. Read the article…………………………..
How Condo, Apartment Building Managers Are Keeping Residents Healthy During Coronavirus Pandemic
Monday morning blues has a whole new meaning in this age of coronavirus – for many, it is another week of working from home. CBS 2’s Lauren Victory wanted to know how apartments and condos are keeping residents healthy. She had a look Monday morning at the new rules and the new norm. Read the […]
North Side Condo Residents on Edge After Neighbors Test Positive for Coronavirus (IL)
Two residents inside of a North Side condo building have been diagnosed with coronavirus, leaving more than 200 other residents fearing that they could be next. One of those residents, Ryan Graber, is taking a drastic step as a result of the positive tests: he’s leaving, and will stay with his parents in Texas. Read […]
When must a developer give the association control? (IL)
Q: Is there a deadline by which time the developer of our common interest community association must relinquish control of the governance of the association to the owners? Read the Q&A………………………………
Condo board can restrict drones on property (IL)
Q: Drones seem to be everywhere these days. However, our association has only recently had to deal with a resident who flies one at the association, often close to people and units. This has resulted in numerous complaints from other residents. Can the board restrict these drones on our property? Read the Q&A………………………….
Request for dog run is not binding (IL)
Q: The board of our association was presented a petition signed by a majority of the owners that requests the board to install a dog run on the property. Is the board required to act on this request of the owners? Read the Q&A…………………………..
Board has a right to restrict marijuana odors (IL)
Q: Our condominium association is already dealing with issues and complaints associated with the smoking of lawful recreational marijuana in units. Due to a lot of apathy, the board isn’t confident it can muster the required owner support to amend the declaration to prohibit smoking of marijuana in units. Is there another approach the board […]
Security Cameras Damaged At Orland Park Condo Building (IL)
The prosecutor said Kleinpaste unplugged the security cameras in the lobby on Feb. 12. The condo association put boxes over the outlets, so they could not be tampered with. A few days later on Feb. 17, the prosecutor said Kleinpaste was captured on video hitting the outlet boxes with a pole. Read the article………………………..
Association, board member must follow contract procedure (IL)
Q: Our condominium association owns a unit it leases out to third parties. One of the board members is a real estate agent for a real estate company and wants to act as leasing agent for the association regarding this unit. He would be paid a commission by the real estate company for whom he […]
Budgets must contain reasonable reserves (IL)
Q: The last reserve study for our condominium was done about 20 years ago. Contributions to the reserve fund are based on this reserve study, and have not changed year to year, despite the fact that we continually draw down our reserves for various projects. Are there any regulations that would require an association board […]
What a new Illinois law about service animals means for condo associations (IL)
Effective Jan. 1, the “Assistance Animal Integrity Act” took effect in Illinois, supplementing existing federal law regarding reasonable accommodation requests for assistance animals (i.e., service animals and emotional support animals). Read the Q&A…………………………
Project contracts need to protect the association (IL)
Q: Our association enters into many contracts each year with different contractors. The contractors typically give the board its one or two page proposal that the board agrees to and signs. The proposals are also reviewed by our property manager before the board signs them. Read the Q&A………………………….
Stone Creek Golf Course closing leaves homeowners nervous for future (IL)
Stone Creek residents were surprised to learn Monday that their golf course and the bar and grill are closing in January. The owners of the course said they’re closing because they’ve seen fewer golfers this past year while operating costs are rising. Read the article………………………..
Alleged Thieves Use USPS Master Key to Break Into Bucktown Condo Building (IL)
Chicago police are looking for two alleged thieves who used a U.S. Postal Service master key to break into a Bucktown condominium building. Surveillance video from Friday, Jan. 3 showed the suspects entering the building using a USPS master key and then proceeding to the basement where they made off with several items including a […]
How much can a board increase assessments? (IL)
Q: The year 2020 assessment notices were distributed to the owners of our association in December. The annual assessment for my unit increased about 11%. By how much can the board increase assessments year over year? Read the Q&A………………………………
When association takes possession and leases out a unit, it may be liable for damage caused by renter (IL)
Q. I am a unit owner in a condominium association where the association took possession of my unit due to an eviction lawsuit for unpaid common expenses. The association had possession of my unit for two years and leased my unit to pay down my delinquency. However, when the unit was returned to me as […]
Smoke Detector Alerts Palatine Residents To Condo Fire (IL)
A smoke detector alerted a resident to a fire in a Palatine condominium building, which allowed everyone to evacuate their homes without injury. Upon arrival, firefighters accessed the second floor and found smoke in the hallway. After they entered the unit, they found smoke and flames. The initial firefighters on the scene used a pressurized […]
Can parents intervene? (IL)
Q: The board of directors of our association issued a notice of violation to the 21-year-old sole owner of a unit, in connection with the owner’s violation of the association’s noise rules. The unit owner’s parents have been contacting our management company, insisting that the board deal with them about this matter, and that they […]
Law now requires contractors to be paid more promptly (IL)
Q: Our association tries to standardize contractor agreements through the use of a contract rider. One of the issues we address in a rider is the retainage from each contractor payment. One of our contractors says the language of our rider violates Illinois law on retainage, and says there is some new law about this. […]
Large Fire Department Response To Blaze In Skokie Condo (IL)
Several firefighers responded to a blaze in an condominium building in Skokie and rescued two dogs who were trapped inside. The fire broke out at 10118 Old Orchard Court. One person escaped the blaze and was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A police officer was treated for smoke at the scene. Read the […]
Unit owners are not always people (IL)
Q: Each board member for our condominium association must be a unit owner. One of the current board members is an investor in a limited liability company that owns many units in the association. Does this person qualify as an owner who can be on the board? Read the Q&A……………………………
Maine Township condo association sues insurance company after fatal 2018 fire (IL)
A suburban condominium association is suing a major insurance company after a fatal fire destroyed much of a 35-unit building in Maine Township last year. In a lawsuit filed last month in Cook County Circuit Court, the Landings Condo Association, Building J, alleges that Farmers Insurance Group failed to provide adequate insurance coverage for its […]