Connected Management Blog

What can be stored in the common hallways, stairways and other means of egress? According to the law, nothing. Interior landings, hallways and stairs must be completely clear of all items. This includes shoes, shoe racks, planters, pots or other items. The relevant section of the Chicago Municipal Code below relates to new construction: 13-160-070 Obstructions prohibited.For purposes of this section and Section 13-96-135 only: the term “small building” shall mean a residential building that is both less than four stories high and contains fewer than four residential units; and the term “large building” shall mean a residential building that is...

A new bill, SB 2354 (Sen. Haine), which will admend the Illinois Condominium Property Act and the Common Interest Community Association Act, will become effective on January 1, 2017. This bill was signed into law by Governor Rauner and became Public Act 99-0567. Since this bill amends both the ICPA and the CICA, the results affect both condominium associations and town home associations in Illinois. This amendment is critical to condominium and town home associations as it negates many of the restrictions that were previously introduced by the "Palm Case". (Palm v. 2800 Lake Shore Drive, 2014) You can read an...

Condo foreclosures, delinquencies and the new 9 months rule (Illinois Senate Bill 2664, ISBA FORECLOSURE BILL) If you are a member of a condo board then you will eventually be forced to deal with owners that are delinquent in their payment of their monthly assessments. Unfortunately, severe assessment delinquency is often coupled with an impending foreclosure. After all, if a unit owner is not making their monthly assessment payment to the association, it's a good bet that the owner is struggling to pay their mortgage. If a foreclosure occurs within your association you have a financial interest in handling the situation...

Illinois House Bill proposes mandatory payment plans for delinquent owners HB 4154 (Rep. Madigan and Rep. Kifowit) ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT OF DELINQUENT ASSESSMENTS. Overview of the bill This bill proposes the creation a new Sec. 1-47 of the Common Interest Community Association Act which would mandate that common interest communities of more than 14 units adopt “reasonable guidelines” for delinquent owners to pay regular and special assessments. The bill would require the association to adopt and record in the county recorder’s office guidelines for a payment plan. The payment plan would need to be a minimum of 3 months and not extend...

Understanding Palm v. 2800 Lake Shore Drive – A practical perspective Earlier this month the Illinois Appellate Court issued an order that is causing quite a stir in condo association circles. Palm v. 2800 Lake Shore Drive is a case that relates to how boards of condo associations conduct their business. Specifically, how board members communicate and make decisions. On the surface the ruling appears to introduce an incredible level of difficulty to the process that a board must follow in order to perform their duties. Many of the updates that I have read from attorneys and other professionals in the...