The Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act became effective on January 1, 2017. Generally, the purpose of this Act is to create a State of Illinois-operated mechanism to assist in resolving certain disputes within condominium and community associations.
It is important to recognize that certain tasks must be accomplished before the January 1, 2019 deadline.
On January 1, 2019, each association is required to adopt a written policy for resolving complaints made by unit owners. The policy must include:
- A sample form upon which a unit owner may make a complaint
- A description of the process by which complaints shall be delivered to the Association
- The Association’s timeline and manner of making final determinations in response to the unit owner’s complaint as well as the form for such determinations
This is a limited summary of the new Ombudsperson Act and each condominium and common interest community association should become familiar with the full version of this new law.
About the Office of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson
On January 1, 2017, Adrienne Levatino was named the Illinois Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson by Kreg Allison, the Director of the Division of Real Estate for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Ombursperson’s website: http://www.idfpr.com/CCICO/.
The website indicates that the Ombudsperson’s goals are to:
- Educate unit owners, associations and their respective boards
- Publish information useful to unit owners, associations and their respective boards
- Respond to relevant inquiries by providing educational materials and directing citizens to relevant resources
The website also indicates that the Ombudsperson’s does not:
- Provide legal advice or advocacy services
- Enforce any laws or regulations, including the regulation or registration of: Professions, Associations, Companies, People Hear, mediate or resolve: Issues between unit owners and associations, Complaints of discrimination, Complaints about Community Association Managers (“CAMs”)
Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collections, landlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
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