Howard Dakoff

Howard Dakoff is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

The Condominium Act authorizes a condominium board to levy a reasonable fine for a violation of an association's declaration, bylaws, or rules and regulations.

Condo Adviser: State statute requires fines imposed by condo boards to be reasonable

August 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Q. I am a unit owner in a condominium association and understand that the board of directors has the authority to levy fines pursuant to our governing documents and the...

The Condominium Act requires condo associations to provide certain documents to unit owners upon request.

Condo Adviser: Condominium Act requires associations to provide certain documents to unit owners upon request

July 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Q. I am a unit owner in a mid-size condominium association and there is enough dysfunction with our board of directors to author a novel with. For example, the board...

A Tesla electronic vehicle is charged at a Tesla charging station Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. State and city measures may soon require electric vehicle-charging capabilities at residential buildings in Illinois.

Condo Adviser: State, city measures may require electric vehicle-charging capabilities at residential buildings

June 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Q. I am a condominium owner considering purchasing an electric vehicle and just heard about the Illinois legislature's recent adoption of the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. How does this Illinois...

The Condominium Act states that a condominium association shall have one class of membership.

Condo Adviser: Condominium Act requires associations to have just one class of membership

May 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Q: I am on the board of directors of a midsize condominium association. Our declaration and bylaws have no restrictions on rentals. The board would like to seek unit owner...

A Home Depot employee stocks smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at an Illinois store. An amendment to the Illinois Smoke Detector Act phases out older-model smoke detectors with removable short-life batteries.

Condo Adviser: Illinois Smoke Detector Act phases out older models with removable batteries

April 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Q: I live in a high-rise condo and recently heard a rumor about an update to a statute regarding smoke detectors that apparently affects condos. What is the law regarding...

Illinois law does not mandate that a condominium board hire a management company for any size condominium association.

Condo Adviser: Condo boards are not legally required to hire management companies

March 26, 2023 at 9:50 a.m.

Q: I live in a sprawling, suburban condominium association that comprises 25 separate buildings with condominium units in each building. The association is self-managed because the board has refused retaining...

For a casualty loss due to a burst water pipe, a condo association is responsible for repairing and replacing up to the bare walls, floors and ceilings of the unit, which means the drywall plus a primer coat of paint.

Condo Adviser: Condo association is responsible for damage caused by a burst water pipe

February 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Q: I am the board president of a small, self-managed condominium association. We recently had a common element pipe burst causing significant damage inside a residential unit. What is the...

The only legal criteria specified in the Condominium Act for serving on a condominium board is to be a unit owner of a unit in the association.

Condo Adviser: Condominium Act spells out the criteria for serving on an association board

January 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Q: I am a unit owner in a condominium association and have a question regarding board member criteria for competency. Our association membership unwittingly elected board members that are indifferent...

Condo associations have the authority to order the removal of holiday lights on the balconies of individual units.

Condo Adviser: Condo associations have the authority to order the removal of holiday lights on balconies

December 11, 2022 at 11:05 a.m.

Q: I am on the board of directors of a small, self-managed condominium association. Now that the holiday season is upon us, the board has noticed several unit owners have...

A proposed Chicago ordinance would govern the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in condominium parking areas.

Condo Adviser: Proposed Chicago ordinance governs installation of electric vehicle chargers

November 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Q: I am a unit owner in a Chicago condominium association and intend to request permission from the condominium board to install an electric vehicle charger in front of my...

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