The City of Chicago requires permits for a number of projects.  This ensures that the projects adhere to city codes and minimum standards and promotes the safety of your building.

You can find a list of projects that require permits on the City of Chicago's Dept. of Buildings website.  You can also find information on the Easy Permit Application process, which can be completed online to obtain a permit for certain projects.

Before you begin any repair, replacement or construction project and when interviewing contractors, be sure that you (or your contractors) obtain the proper permits required by the city!

Certain topics are off limits in open Board meetings.  Those topics must be discussed during a closed portion of the meeting, which non-Board member owners cannot attend.  Per the IL Condo Act:

"(4) Meetings of the board of the master association shall be open to any unit owner in a condominium subject to the authority of the board of the master association, except for the portion of any meeting held:

(A) to discuss litigation when an action against or on behalf of the particular master association has been filed and is pending in a court or administrative tribunal, or when the board of the master association finds that such an action is probable or imminent,

(B) to consider information regarding appointment, employment or dismissal of an employee, or

(C) to discuss violations of rules and regulations of the master association or unpaid common expenses owed to the master association.

Any vote on these matters shall be taken at a meeting or portion thereof open to any unit owner of a condominium subject to the authority of the master association."

While the Board cannot discuss the matter in an open session, any vote to act in regards to the matter must be conducted during the open portion of the meeting.  If there are sensitive topics to discuss, the Board can conduct a closed portion of the Board meeting prior to the open meeting so that votes can be taken during the open portion.

Just a quick post about suspected gas leaks.  We have gotten a few emails from clients lately who think there may be a gas leak in their unit or the building.  We don't handle building maintenance for our clients and we are not on 24/7 call, but regardless, we shouldn't be the first point of contact for an issue such as a gas leak.  As a gas leak could result in serious consequences, it's important to call the gas company immediately if you suspect a leak.

The emergency phone number for Peoples Gas is 866-556-6002.  This is the number that should be used for reporting suspected gas leaks.  

Found this article on special assessments on another HOA website.  You need to sign up to access the full article (and maybe pay a fee), but the short version makes an interesting point about allowing time for owners to process the idea of a special assessment, comparing it to the stages of grief. 

Having an effective Reserves Policy can help to eliminate the need for special assessments (and avoid the angst for owners altogether).  See our "Best Financial Practices" guidelines for ways to ensure your financial stability and avoid the stress involved in special assessments.  

Today I received an inquiry from a condo owner who was concerned about new Rules & Regulations that his association had proposed.   What struck a nerve for me was a comment he made about "reducing residents' ability to live as they wish without interference."  The fact is, when you are living in a community such as a condominium association, no individual can "live as they wish."  Each owner is a member of a whole that requires rules and structure to ensure that everyone can live peaceably without infringing unnecessarily on anyone else's right to the same.  

I often recommend that condo owners review and adopt CAI's "Rights & Responsibilities for Better Communities."  It's a great reminder that when you are living in a condominium community, the needs of the whole must be balanced with the needs of each individual.  We cannot each "live as we wish" when we are each living as a part of a whole.