Condo/HOA Q&A Webinar on 2/25

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 15 February 2021

Tune in to a Condo/HOA Q&A webinar on Februry 25th to learn about communication, cooperation, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

This Condo/HOA Q&A will focus on:
- Roles and responsibilities of board members, officers, and managers.
- Keeping board members on the same page
- Resolving conflicts between homeowners, board members, and managers
- Standing behind board decisions

The webinar will be streaming live on Youtube on 2/25 from 1-2:30pm. Tune in here. 

What You Need to Know About Fair Housing Laws in Condo Sales and Rentals

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 10 February 2021

Managing a condo association is complicated. There are so many rules and regulations to keep track of and enforce.

Fair Housing Laws aim to protect diverse populations. 

Here’s what you should know about Fair Housing Laws:

1. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to make housing unavailable because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.
2. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities.
3. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, military status, age, order of protection status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, unfavorable military discharge, or physical and mental disability. 
4. Section 8 voucher holders are included in the source of income-protected class under the city and county human rights ordinances.  

Learn more, here. 

Cook County 2020 First Installment Tax Bills

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 31 January 2021

The Cook County Treasurer will be releasing 2020 first installment property tax bills soon. Payment will be due March 2, 2021. 

First installments are estimated tax bills, equal to 55% of last years total tax. Any change in your 2020 tax bill will be reflected in the second installment tax bill. If you have a 2020 appeal pending, you must still pay this bill. 

If you have a new PIN for the 2020 tax year, your first installment tax bill will be $0 and all 2020 taxes will be payable in the second installment tax bill. 

Amendment Basics for Condo Boards

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Published: 26 January 2021

Some of the most common issues that plague condominium associations include pets, renting and smoking. These are all matters that can be addressed uniformly via either Rules & Regulations or an amendment to your governing documents (Declaration or Bylaws).

Here are a few important points to consider when contemplating a change to your Rules & Regulations versus an amendment to your Declaration or Bylaws.

• An amendment is a legal process that requires an affirmative owner vote (at least 2/3 but no more than ¾), notification to mortgagees (lenders) and recording of documents.
• Amendments should be prepared and recorded by an attorney to ensure that they do not conflict with laws and statutes that supersede them (such as federal and state laws).
• Amendments are harder to challenge because they require a super majority vote. By default, the courts consider them to be reasonable provided the proper steps were taken to adopt them.
• Rules & Regulations do not require an owner vote – they can be adopted by board vote at a properly noticed board meeting, open to all owners.
• Owners must be given at least 10 days’ notification of the meeting, accompanied by a copy of the proposed Rules & Regulations.
• Rules & Regulations can be changed by the board at any time, subject to the procedures outlined above.

Both amendments and Rules & Regulations can effectively reduce conflict and promote harmonious living in your condo building. Knowing the differences between them can help you to decide which option is best suited to your association.

See our Educational Videos on Rules & Regulations with a CCR membership.