2017 City of Chicago Water and Sewer Increases

Details

Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

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

Published: 16 September 2016

On Wednesday, September 14th the Chicago City Council approved a new water and sewer tax that will go into effect in 2017.

The tax will start at 7% of the water and sewer bill in 2017 and increase 7% every year to 28% by 2020. This tax is on top of an annual rate increase determined by the applying the previous year's rate of inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index.

Current inflation rates have hovered around 1% for the last year, however they have ranged from 2.1 to .1 since 2012. HausFS is recommending a 10% increase to Water and Sewer budgets for 2017 to account for both a rate increase and the added 7% tax. This should give most associations plenty of wiggle room for their water and sewer expense in 2017 and is still lower than historical increases of 15%.

It's a great time to start thinking about how your association can save water to reduce your overall water and sewer bill and to investigate potential leaks.

(Note that for buildings receiving waste removal service from the City, there is now an additional $9.50 per unit Garbage Fee added to your water and sewer bill. City pickup is available to buildings of 4 units or fewer.)

Illinois Condominium Property Act amendment defines acceptable technological means

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 13 September 2016

Beginning January 1, 2017, the Common Interest Community Association Act and the Condominium Property Act will be amended in regards to “acceptable technological means.” These means will now be described as any generally available technology that is deemed to provide security, reliability, identification and verifiability, by the association. However, the use of acceptable technological means does not apply to notices that are required under the following circumstances:

1. Under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Article of the Code of Civil Procedure.
2. In connection with foreclosure proceedings in enforcement of any lien rights

Technological means may also be used to send, receive, sign, vote, consent or approve any notices. It may also be used to perform obligations or exercise rights, such as voting.

(Note that a condo association must first adopt Rules & Regulations specifically allowing the use of technological means for voting in order to conduct elections or other owner votes in such a manner.)

2017 IL Condo Act Amendment to Allow Condo Boards Exclusive Vote on Loans

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 08 September 2016

On January 1, 2017, the Condominium Property Act will be amended. Language will be taken out that previously allowed an association's declaration to require an owner vote to assign the association's right to future income.

Since associations do not hold physical property, the right to future assessments is given to a bank as collateral for any loan extended to the association. This protects the interests of the bank. Currently, if a board wanted to take out a loan on behalf of the association they would potentially have to hold an owner vote to make this decision, if required by the declaration.

Beginning in 2017, boards will no longer be required to hold an owner vote to approve a loan even if the declaration currently states that an owner vote is required. The decision will exclusively be a board decision. 

Recycling Updates: What can and cannot be recycled

Details

Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 31 August 2016

The city of Chicago wants your empty sunscreen bottles, but not your old pizza boxes! Read below for recycling updates:

1. All empty sunscreen containers, including aluminum and plastic lotion and spray bottles, are recyclable.
2. The only part of a sunscreen spray bottle that cannot be recycled is the spray nozzle. Other caps are recyclable.
3. Rinse out any remaining sunscreen from the containers before recycling.
4. Greasy cardboard, like a pizza box for instance, is non-recyclable because of holes in the paper caused by oil separating from the water in the paper making process. You can tear off a box top for recycling, however, if it has not been contaminated with grease.

Chicago has recently instated several new recycling requirements for condominium buildings. To read our other articles regarding these changes, click here and here.