Condo Owners Can Influence Legislation with Witness Slips

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 14 May 2019

During each General Assembly session, Illinois lawmakers introduce thousands of pieces of legislation, and many impact community associations in some capacity.

The public can fill out witness slips to register support or opposition to a bill. The witness slips are then reviewed by the committee that the bill is assigned to at the beginning of each hearing. Lawmakers pay close attention to witness slips. Witness slips have many times made a difference in whether or not a bill becomes a law.

If you would like to engage in the legislative process, the Illinois General Assembly website offers tools to help you, such as “My Legislation,” which allows you to build a database of bills you are interested in and to track their progress 

In 2014, ChicagoCondoResource.com helped condo owners to fight a bill that would have limited the funds associations could recover from a foreclosed unit. Governor Quinn vetoed the bill due to the overwhelming amount of input received from condo owners.

Your voice does have an impact! To learn more about witness slips and the tools offered by the Illinois General Assembly, click here. 

How to be heard at your next condo or HOA meeting

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 14 May 2019

Residents are encouraged to attend community association board meetings to observe and bring any issues to the board’s attention during the homeowner forum.

When bringing up issues during this forum, residents are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

1. Be professional, this is a corporate business meeting.
2. Sign in when you arrive at the meeting. The board will call on you in the order you arrived and they may contact you if they need further information.
3. Bring up all issues in a productive manner without griping with board members.
4. Remember the meeting is about business and it is not personal. If you are particularly upset about an issue, consider speaking to the board privately.
5. Be considerate of others and don’t speak out of turn.
6. When bringing up an issue, make sure to keep it to less than 5 minutes. If you need more time, submit your comments in writing.
7. It may take the board some time to resolve or address your issue, so make sure to be patient.

To learn more, click here.

2,500 Condos Impacted by Assessment Error

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 08 May 2019

Post Sposored by Relias Law Group, Ltd.
150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 428-3016 Office

Some assessment notices issued to properties in Elk Grove Township were issued in error by the Cook County Assessor. New “corrected” re-assessment notices were subsequently issues by the Assessor’s office. The errors impacted over 2,500 condo units. Because of this error, the Assessor has extended the assessment appeal deadline to May 29, 2019.

Additionally, due to the error in Elk Grove Town, the assessment notices for Maine Township will now be delayed. The new anticipated assessment notice date for Maine Township is now May 7, 2019 with a new appeal deadline of June 7, 2019.

If you have a question about the accuracy of your assessment or the association’s assessments, please contact George Relias at (312) 428-3021 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will be happy to review the assessment and help you determine your options.

The Power of Kindness

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 07 May 2019

Conflict is an inevitable part of living in a condo association. However, encouraging kindness and respect can foster a collaborative and positive atmosphere. All board members, residents, community managers, staff members, and business partners should act with civility toward one another.

Associations can foster kindness and civility by listening. Listening is critical to empathy and human connection. When people feel heard, they will feel much more comfortable within an association.

Humor is another way to foster kindness. Humor can help decrease tension and create bonds. Humor can also help communicate decisions that may not go over well with everyone. 

To learn more, click here.