Illinois Community Association Laws
Condos (765 ILCS 605), Common Interest Communities/HOAs (765 ILCS 160), Co-ops (805 ILCS 310), Mobile Home Parks (765 ILCS 745; 210 ILCS 115), corporate acts (805 ILCS 105/5), CAM licensing (225 ILCS 427), IDFPR & Ombudsperson. Reference hub
Illinois takes a middle-path approach: clear procedures and strong owner access to records and open meetings, but limited centralized enforcement. Condominiums are governed by the Condominium Property Act, while non-condo HOAs fall under the Common Interest Community Association Act, which exempts the smallest associations unless they opt in. The Ombudsperson educates but does not police disputes, and managers are state-licensed under the CAM Act. Net effect: process-heavy, transparency-forward, and very dependent on associations following notice, meeting, and record-keeping rules.
At a glance
- HOAs (non-condo): Common Interest Community Association Act (765 ILCS 160) — meetings, board duties, records, turnover, small-association exemptions.
- Condominiums: Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605) — bylaws, board powers, records, liens, budgets/GAAP (100+ units).
- Co-ops: Co-operative Act (805 ILCS 310) — corporate framework for cooperative ownership.
- Mobile home parks: Mobile Home Landlord & Tenant Rights Act (765 ILCS 745) + Mobile Home Park Act (210 ILCS 115).
- Corporate form: Not-for-profits under 805 ILCS 105; for-profit corporations under 805 ILCS 5.
- Managers: Licensed under the CAM Act (225 ILCS 427).
Primary Statutes
Common Interest Communities / HOAs — 765 ILCS 160
Board duties & records, open meetings, member meetings, finances, developer turnover; small-association exemptions (≤10 units or ≤$100k budget unless opting in).
ILGA — Act home ·
§1-30 Board duties & records ·
§1-40 Member meetings ·
Definitions & applicability
Condominiums — 765 ILCS 605
Bylaws contents, board powers (fiduciary duties), records access, liens & collection (incl. 9(g)), GAAP requirement for 100+ units.
ILGA — Act home ·
§18 Bylaws contents ·
§18.4 Board powers & duties ·
§19 Records & inspection ·
§9 Assessments & lien (incl. 9(g)) ·
§18.10 GAAP (100+ units)
Co-operatives — 805 ILCS 310
State cooperative corporate structure; some housing co-ops also use 805 ILCS 105.
Mobile Home Parks — 765 ILCS 745 & 210 ILCS 115
Landlord-tenant rights in parks (765 ILCS 745); park licensure/health standards (210 ILCS 115) with IDPH rules (77 IAC 860).
Corporate Acts — 805 ILCS 105 & 805 ILCS 5
Entity law (formation, authority, meetings, records).
Nonprofit: General Not For Profit Corporation Act ·
For-profit: Business Corporation Act
Community Association Managers — 225 ILCS 427
State licensure via IDFPR; firms must be licensed; CE required; Act currently scheduled to repeal Jan 1, 2027 unless extended.
Popular Sections (direct links @ ILGA)
HOA / CICAA (765 ILCS 160)
Condominiums (765 ILCS 605)
Co-ops (805 ILCS 310)
Mobile Home Parks
Administrative Rules (Illinois Administrative Code)
State-hosted PDFs and rule pages (stable sources).
CAM Licensing — 68 IAC 1445
Manufactured Home Communities — 77 IAC 860
Community Association Managers (CAM) — Licensing
Who needs a license?
- Individuals and management firms providing community association management for compensation must be licensed (225 ILCS 427).
- Initial education: 20 hours pre-licensing; CE typically 12 hours per renewal period (see rule & IDFPR fact sheet).
IDFPR — CCIC Ombudsperson
CAM Rules (68 IAC 1445)
2025 CE Fact Sheet
Handy IL statutes (PDF)
Governing Documents & Overlays
- Governing documents: Declaration/CC&Rs, Bylaws, Articles, Rules/Resolutions, Plats.
- Federal overlays: Fair Housing, ADA (where applicable), FDCPA (collections), FCC OTARD, etc.
- State/local overlays: Building codes, public health (e.g., manufactured home communities), local ordinances.
- Conflicts: Statutes can supersede conflicting documents; consult counsel for interpretation.
IDFPR Division & Ombudsperson
IDFPR — Division of Real Estate
- Scope: Licenses CAMs & firms; CCIC Ombudsperson office publishes guidance.
- General phone: 1-888-473-4858 (IDFPR)
Condominium & Common Interest Community Ombudsperson
- Role: Education & resources (no enforcement). Ombudsperson Act extended to Jan 1, 2029.
- Email: FPR.CCICO@illinois.gov
- Toll-free: 844-856-5193 (info line; no voicemail)
- Info & forms: Ombudsperson page
Disclaimer
This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.
Last updated: September 9, 2025