Friday June 05, 2026
For HOA and condominium boards in Illinois, staying compliant is not a one-time task. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires keeping pace with state legislation, interpreting how new laws apply to your community, and making sure your operations reflect current requirements. For boards serving in a volunteer capacity, that is a significant ask.According to Charles Perry, Business Development Director with FirstService Residential in the Chicago suburbs, the boards that struggle most with Illinois HOA compliance are often the ones without a property management partner who is actively engaged in the legislative process. At FirstService Residential, that engagement goes well beyond reading the news when a new law passes.
"I personally served as co-chair of the Legislative Action Committee through CAI Illinois for eight years. Today, our president Brian Butler holds that same role."
Charles Perry, Business Development Director, FirstService Residential Illinois
That kind of institutional involvement matters because Illinois HOA law is not static. It evolves. Boards that rely on outdated knowledge or reactive management partners often find themselves behind, sometimes without knowing it. This article breaks down the key laws governing Illinois associations, the most significant recent updates, and what proactive compliance support actually looks like.
2025/2026 Illinois HOA laws
Illinois community associations operate under several interlocking statutes. Understanding which laws apply to your community is the first step toward meaningful HOA compliance.The Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA)
Signed into law in 2010, the Illinois Common Interest Community Act (CICAA) is the primary statute governing non-condominium homeowners associations in Illinois. It applies to most HOAs with more than 10 residential units or annual budgeted assessments exceeding $100,000.The Act covers a broad range of operational requirements, including how boards are elected, how meetings must be conducted, what financial records must be maintained, how assessments are managed, and what rights unit owners have to access association records.
CICAA also subjects associations to oversight through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson program, which handles complaints and promotes compliance with state statutes. Boards that treat CICAA as a blueprint rather than a checklist tend to stay ahead of compliance issues rather than reacting to them.
The Illinois Condominium Property Act
For condominium associations, the Illinois Condominium Property Act is the governing framework. It sets detailed rules around board elections, unit owner rights, common element maintenance, financial management, and the powers and duties of the board of managers. Under the Act, at least one-third of board member terms must expire annually, elections must be conducted at large, and quorum and voting procedures must be clearly outlined in the association's bylaws.The Condominium Property Act and CICAA share many similar provisions, but there are meaningful differences between them. Associations that fall under both statutes must take care to comply with the requirements of each, which is one reason experienced management support is so valuable in Illinois.
The Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act (CAMLDA)
CAMLDA requires licensing for community association managers in Illinois and sets professional conduct standards for both individual managers and management companies. For boards evaluating property management options, this statute is worth understanding.Working with a licensed, credentialed management firm is not just a best practice. It is a signal that the company operates within a regulated framework designed to protect associations and the residents they serve.
Recent Illinois HOA legislative updates boards should know
Illinois HOA law has seen a meaningful wave of legislative activity in recent years. Below are several updates that are directly relevant to boards operating in the suburbs and across the state.Accessible parking requirements for condo associations
Effective January 1, 2025, condominium associations with parking facilities are required to adopt a written accessible parking policy. The policy must prioritize disabled owners for accessible spaces, and associations must review accommodation requests within 45 days.For new or converted condominiums, accessible parking spaces must remain common elements. Boards that have not yet adopted a compliant policy should do so promptly.
Pay transparency and wage rules for associations with employees
As of January 1, 2025, Illinois raised its minimum wage to $15 per hour. Associations with 15 or more employees are now also required to include pay scales and benefits information in job postings under the state's pay transparency rules.Additionally, the Worker Freedom of Speech Act prohibits retaliation against employees who opt out of employer-organized meetings on religious or political topics. Associations with staff should review their hiring policies and employment practices to reflect these changes.
Pending reserve study requirements
Illinois lawmakers have been actively considering legislation that would require condominium and HOA communities with major shared components to conduct and update a reserve study every five years. As of the most recent legislative session, this bill was re-referred to committee for further review and has not yet been signed into law.However, boards should treat it as a signal of where Illinois HOA compliance is heading. Associations that do not already have a current reserve study are well advised to begin the process regardless of whether the legislation ultimately passes.
Ombudsperson program extended through 2029
The Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act, which provides a dispute resolution and compliance resource for associations and homeowners, has been extended through January 1, 2029. This is a meaningful signal that Illinois intends to maintain a dedicated oversight mechanism for community associations for the foreseeable future.Boards should be familiar with the Ombudsperson program as both a compliance resource and a channel through which owner complaints may be escalated.
"We are not only relaying that information. We are also actively lobbying to make change so that the legislation that does pass in Illinois is favorable to our associations."
Charles Perry, Business Development Director, FirstService Residential Illinois
How FirstService Residential supports Illinois HOA compliance
Understanding the laws that govern your association is only half the equation. The other half is having the operational support to put that knowledge into practice every day. That is where a property management team with deep Illinois roots makes a material difference.FirstService Residential's involvement in the Illinois legislative process through CAI Illinois gives the company direct visibility into regulatory changes as they develop, not after they take effect. That means boards are informed ahead of deadlines, not scrambling to catch up.
Beyond legislative awareness, the company's day-to-day management practices are built around keeping associations operationally compliant. From maintaining required financial records and meeting schedules to communicating owner rights and supporting board elections under both CICAA and the Condominium Property Act, the work of HOA compliance is woven into how the team operates rather than treated as a separate function.
Ready to work with a property management team who knows Illinois HOA law?
If your board is looking for a property management team with proven expertise in Illinois HOA compliance, we are ready to help. Contact our Illinois team today to learn how we support associations across the Chicago suburbs and throughout the state.This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.