An HOA's governing documents are usually in the form of a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and bylaws. The CC&Rs explain the rules of the HOA community, while the bylaws cover how the HOA operates.
Most homeowners associations are governed by either the Illinois inium Property Act or the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act.
The local law supersedes the rules and regulations of the HOA, meaning that HOAs must ensure they are operating under the law.
In some states, such as California, HOA bylaws are considered public record and must be made available upon request.
The Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation Act, which governs the vast majority of associations, requires that the board of directors of a corporation consist of three or more directors with the number of directors established in the bylaws.
Can an HOA Evict a Homeowner? Yes. Under Illinois state law (765 ILCS 605/9.2), a homeowners' association can 'evict' a member from their unit in order to recover past due assessments. If your community is considering eviction as a remedy, an experienced Chicago HOA/condo lawyer can help.
In general, homeowners can request HOA documents that cover the following: Governing documents, including the CC&Rs, bylaws, articles of incorporation, community plat, and operating rules; All board and membership meeting minutes and notices; Membership lists; All insurance policies of the association;
A proper HOA request letter should include: Clear headers with date and contact information. The property address and owner details. A specific subject line identifying the request type. A concise project description. Relevant timeline and completion dates. Supporting documentation references.
Once you buy a home that's part of an HOA, you automatically become a member of the HOA. HOA rules are legally binding, and you must adhere to all rules and regulations in the governing document. Yes, there are bylaws that you may not like, but there are no HOA loopholes.