Tower Crossing Condominium Homes

Condo Corner: Your Rights Behind the Bylaws

Did you know that about 1 in 5 homes in Glenview, Illinois are condominiums?

And here’s something many people don’t realize — “condo” isn’t just another word for a high-rise apartment building. It’s about the ownership structure, not the appearance of the home. You might live in a townhouse, a low-rise building, or even a detached home and still own a condo under Illinois law.

If you own a condominium in Illinois, you have more rights than you may realize. Many owners assume that the association or board has the final say in everything. In reality, the Illinois Condominium Property Act and your condo’s governing documents give you specific protections and a voice in how your community is managed.

What Makes a Home a “Condo”?

A condominium is defined by its legal framework:

  • You own your individual unit outright.
  • You also own an undivided interest in the common elements (such as hallways, amenities, roofs, exterior walls, and grounds).
  • A condominium association manages those common elements under a declaration, bylaws, and rules.

This means that even if your condo looks like a townhouse or single-family home, your rights — and your responsibilities — are determined by the condo’s governing documents and Illinois law.

Key Rights Under Illinois Condominium Property Law

The Illinois Condominium Property Act outlines several rights that protect condo owners and promote transparency. Here are some of the most important:

1. Access to Records

You can request certain association records, such as:

  • Declaration, bylaws, and plats of survey, and all amendments of these;
  • Rules and regulations of the association, if any;
  • If the association is incorporated as a corporation, the articles of incorporation of the association and all amendments to the articles of incorporation;
  • Financial statements and budgets
  • Minutes of all meetings of the association and its board of managers for the immediately preceding 7 years
  • Contracts and vendor agreements
  • All current policies of insurance of the association
  • All contracts, leases, and other agreements then in effect to which the association is a party or under which the association or the unit owners have obligations or liabilities
  •  A current listing of the names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, and weighted vote of all members entitled to vote
  • Ballots and proxies related to ballots for all matters voted on by the members of the association during the immediately preceding 12 months, including, but not limited to, the election of members of the board of managers
  • Books and records for the association’s current and 10 immediately preceding fiscal years, including, but not limited to, itemized and detailed records of all receipts, expenditures, and accounts; and
  • Any reserve study.

These must be made available within statutory timeframes.

2. Meeting Notices & Voting

You have the right to:

  • Receive advance written notice of owner meetings (usually 10–30 days before)
  • Attend meetings
  • Vote on important matters, such as board elections, budgets, and bylaw amendments

3. Fair Use of Common Areas

You can use common elements as permitted by the governing documents. Rules must be reasonable and applied consistently.

4. Protection from Improper Fines

Before an association can fine you, you must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard.

5. Limits on Large Special Assessments

If a proposed special assessment exceeds certain thresholds, owners may have the right to call for a meeting and vote.

Why Understanding Your Rights Matters

Your condo association has a duty to follow the law and its own governing documents. When owners know their rights, it creates:

  • More transparent decision-making
  • Stronger accountability from the board
  • A better living environment for everyone

Unfortunately, many owners never see past the “bylaws,” which can be written in confusing legal language. That’s where Condo Corner comes in — to translate the legalese into plain English.

Let’s Start the Conversation

This post kicks off Condo Corner, a series from Prospera Law aimed at helping Illinois condo owners better understand their rights and responsibilities.

What’s the one question you’ve always wanted to ask about your condo rights or your association’s obligations?
Submit it through the contact form on our website, and it may be featured in a future post.

Need Legal Advice About Your Condo?

If you’re dealing with a dispute, unclear fees, or difficulty getting information from your board, we can help.
📞 Schedule a consultation with Prospera Law

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