March 2026

Common Elements March 25, 2026

Illinois Condo Association Not Liable for Leaking Pipe

Condominium associations are often caught in the middle of disputes over water damage, plumbing failures, and competing insurance claims. In Jasinska v. Briar Hill II Condo. Ass’n, 2018 IL App (2d) 170307-U, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed judgment in favor of a condominium association where a unit owner failed to establish that a leaking pipe was a common element.  Since…
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Illinois Condo & HOA Case Law March 23, 2026

Bankruptcy Discharge Bars Illinois Condo Eviction for Unpaid Assessments

Illinois condominium associations cannot take collection action against a unit owner who is discharged in bankruptcy with respect to unpaid condominium assessments that predate the bankruptcy filing. Doing so may result in sanctions being entered against the condominium association. This was the central issue in In re Terrell, 614 B.R. 300 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2020). In that case, a delinquent…
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Emergency Repairs March 12, 2026

Court Allows Condo to Levy Emergency Special Assessment

Illinois condominium association boards frequently face difficult decisions when unexpected building repairs arise, especially when those repairs require large special assessments. A recent Illinois appellate decision provides important guidance on when an Illinois condominium board may impose a significant special assessment without first obtaining unit owners’ approval. In Dedic v. Bd. of N. Shore Towers Condo. Ass’n, 2018 IL App…
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Appellate Court March 5, 2026

Illinois Court: Declaration Controls over HOA Rules

Illinois homeowners associations cannot enforce a rule that contradicts their recorded declaration. This was the central issue in Kubik as Tr. of Sarah J. Kubik Declaration of Tr. Dated Feb. 1, 2002 v. Darien Club Owners Ass’n (2025 IL App (3d) 240546-U), a dispute arose as to whether the installation of fencing was permitted as the HOA’s rules and regulations…
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FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule March 5, 2026

FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule: What Condos, Co-Ops, and HOAs Must Know

On March 19, 2026, a federal court in Texas ruled that the new FinCEN residential real estate rules were unenforceable.  A copy of the opinion can be found here: Flowers Title Companies, LLC v. Bessent et al, (E.D. Tex. 2026).  FinCEN has indicated that reporting under the FinCEN rule for residential real estate transactions will not be required while the…
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