No more reminders to renew Illinois license tags

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Written by Alexa Jackson

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

Published: 29 September 2016

Chicago condo owners who also own vehicles will no longer receive postcard reminders to renew their license tags.  It is now each individual’s responsibility to track the expiration date of their tags and to renew them before the deadline. If the deadline is missed, an individual can incur fees, late charges or expensive tickets.

Individuals can register online to receive email reminders. A Registration ID and PIN from a prior renewal notice can be used for online registration. If you do not have an old registration card, you can call the Public Inquiry Division and personnel from the Secretary of State can provide the pin number.

2017 City of Chicago Water and Sewer Increases

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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

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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

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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.