What We're Thinking About Lately...

Fair Housing Laws and Children in Condos

Lauren Schrader What We're Thinking About Lately... 15 February 2023

In Illinois, federal and state laws protect families with children from discrimination in housing. These laws apply to condo owners who rent their units as well as landlords in rental buildings.

Condo owners who are landlords should be aware of their renters' rights with respect to families with children. Condo board members must also be aware of the protections granted to families who rent in their buildings to ensure that they are not taking any action that could be discriminatory or for which tenants could file a complaint. If tenants are experiencing situations with neighbors that could be construed as discriminatory, the board may become responsible for responding to a complaint.

You can read about the protections granted to families with children under the Fair Housing Act on the IL Department of Human Rights Website.

Landlords should also be aware of the city of Chicago's occupancy restrictions to ensure that they are not violating existing limits on the number of tenants that can reside in a unit.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Alexa Jackson What We're Thinking About Lately... 07 February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought grief and hardship to many people around the world. To help ease the financial stress caused by the pandemic, FEMA is offering financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses.

You may qualify for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance benefits if you meet these requirements:

You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen
The death occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia
You incurred funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020, for a person whose death was caused by COVID-19

Learn more, here.

2022 First Installment Cook County Tax Bill

Alexa Jackson What We're Thinking About Lately... 31 January 2023

You can now view your 2022 First Installment Cook County Tax Bill and make an early payment online.

Watch for your bill in the mail late February/early March. Your next tax bill will be due April 3^rd, 2023 and will be 55% of the previous year's total amount.

The second installment tax bills will likely be slightly delayed, but will probably not be as delayed as they were in 2022.

Should You Include an Owner Forum in Your Condo Board Meeting?

Alexa Jackson What We're Thinking About Lately... 24 January 2023

An owner forum is a period of time during an open board meeting that is set aside for the sole purpose of providing unit owners and homeowners with the opportunity to ask questions and make comments about how the community is being run.

Community association boards that are governed by the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA) have a legal obligation to reserve a portion of their open board meeting for comments by members. Condominiums associations organized under the IL Condominium Act are not required to provide an owner forum, but they may want to do so.

Owner forums are known to strike fear in the hearts of board members. Owners can—and often do—say whatever they want when given the opportunity, and their comments are not always positive.

Learn how to best prepare for an owner forum, here.

Illinois Smoke Detector Act Requires Sealed 10-Year Batteries

Alexa Jackson What We're Thinking About Lately... 17 January 2023

In 2017, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 100-0200 to update the Illinois Smoke Detector Act.

Public Act 100-0200 requires Illinois homes to have a smoke alarm with a sealed 10-year battery by January 1, 2023.

However, the legislator provided several exceptions to this law. Learn more about them here.