HOA rules in Illinois

Illinois splits common-interest living into two tracks. If you own a house or townhome in a deed-restricted community that is not a condominium or cooperative, the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA), 765 ILCS 160/, is the main overlay (IDFPR compiled text effective August 15, 2025). If you own a condominium unit, the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/, applies instead. Do not mix those acts. Small associations (10 units or less, or annual budgeted assessments of $100,000 or less) organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act may be exempt from CICAA unless they elect in (765 ILCS 160/1-75). Confirm which statute covers your community, then confirm the current text and your recorded declaration, bylaws, and rules. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Under CICAA, the board may levy and collect reasonable fines only after notice and an opportunity to be heard (765 ILCS 160/1-30(g)). The Act does not publish a Florida-style dollar cap or a numbered hearing-day count. Do not invent one. Board records listed in § 1-30(i) must be available for examination and copying at convenient weekday hours. A written request that gets no record and no response within 30 days is deemed a denial. If the board fails to provide properly requested records and a court finds the failure was due to board acts or omissions, a prevailing member may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

CICAA itself does not create a Florida-style automatic assessment lien in the sections retrieved for this page. Lien and foreclosure power for many planned communities come from the recorded declaration; condominium liens are a separate Condominium Property Act path. Verify your documents before assuming a statutory lien. CICAA also protects display of the American flag and military flags with reasonable placement rules (765 ILCS 160/1-70). Most associations must also comply with the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act under § 1-90 until that section's January 1, 2029 repeal date — confirm whether the office is still operating.

This is general information from an AI helper, not legal advice. Confirm it against your documents and your state's law. If a deadline or hearing is coming up, talk to a licensed lawyer.