Posted on December 27, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

Homeowner associations manage a wide range of responsibilities, and grounds maintenance is often one of the most visible and costly aspects of community management. When landscaping is neglected or snow removal falls behind schedule, residents will notice immediately, and they may make complaints. Clear policies about grounds maintenance services can help HOAs maintain property values, meet their legal obligations, and keep residents satisfied with their community.

HOAs must clearly define what types of grounds maintenance services the association will provide and which services will remain the responsibility of individual homeowners. These distinctions should be spelled out in the association's governing documents and communicated regularly to all residents. As associations prepare to address issues related to HOA law in 2026, it will be important for them to operate transparently and give homeowners proper notice of their obligations. Well-drafted maintenance policies are more important than ever, and a law firm with a strong understanding of these issues can help HOAs resolve any concerns that may arise.

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 Posted on December 12, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

Perhaps energy costs are high for all condo owners due to aging heating systems, outdated lighting, or drafty windows. Since Illinois is currently offering some of the strongest energy-efficiency incentives in decades, many condo boards are fast-tracking needed upgrades. While grants or state incentives might cover part of an upgrade, a special assessment will likely be required to fund the remainder. What happens when a vocal group of owners insists that the upgrades are unnecessary or too expensive? 

Can condominium owners legally block a special assessment for energy-efficient improvements, or does the board have the authority to move forward? Condominium law can be complex, so when owners resist the cost of an upgrade that the board believes is necessary, it is important to understand exactly what authority the Illinois Condominium Property Act gives them. Condominium boards should consult an experienced Cook County, IL condominium law attorney to ensure they stay on the right side of the law.

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 Posted on November 21, 2025 in Personal Injury

When you walk into a doctor’s office or a hospital, you expect professional, skilled care. Unfortunately, across the state of Illinois, thousands of patients experience preventable medical errors that can leave them with worsening symptoms, new injuries, permanent disabilities, or worse.

Medical malpractice remains one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas of Illinois injury law. While each case is unique, certain types of mistakes occur far more often than others, from misdiagnoses to surgical errors. When these errors rise to the level of negligence, victims face long-term complications, financial losses, and life-altering injuries.

Understanding the top causes of medical malpractice claims in Illinois can help you recognize whether negligence played a role and whether you have a legal claim to recover damages. If you believe you are the victim of medical negligence, it could be time to speak to an experienced Arlington Heights, IL medical malpractice attorney.

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 Posted on November 07, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

Illinois condominium associations must maintain financially healthy reserves, both for future repairs and for the legal protection of the board itself. When condo owners are told they must pay for a repair because there are insufficient reserves, the board should expect pushback. When reserve funds are underfunded, owners may begin pointing fingers at board members for mismanagement or breach of fiduciary duty. The question then arises regarding whether an underfunded reserve account is sufficient to trigger legal exposure for the board.

The answer to that question likely depends on how and why the shortfall occurred. Condominium and HOA boards have rules and laws they must abide by, but even when everything is done correctly, a lawsuit can still occur. If your board is being sued or has questions regarding reserves, speaking to an experienced Cook County, IL condominium law attorney can help you understand your obligations.

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 Posted on October 24, 2025 in Personal Injury

The rise of social media has resulted in a troubling new "trend" regarding Illinois nursing home abuse. Staff in nursing homes are posting "elder shaming" videos on TikTok, sharing unauthorized photos of elderly patients in group chats, and misusing smartphones to deliberately humiliate elderly residents.

While these acts are certainly unethical, they also violate Illinois privacy laws, criminal statutes, and the Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/). When loved ones are filmed, exposed, or mocked online by those who are supposed to be caring for them, personal injury lawsuits may be filed.

Although digital abuse differs from physical or emotional abuse and neglect, it can be just as harmful. If your loved one has been shamed or humiliated through digital avenues, speaking to an experienced Arlington Heights, IL nursing home abuse attorney can help you seek justice on his or her behalf.  

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 Posted on October 10, 2025 in Business Law & Litigation

Condominium boards are usually well-versed in handling noise complaints from parties or excessively loud neighbors, but now associations are facing a new kind of nuisance dispute – smells. From cannabis smoke drifting through the vents, vaping in common areas, and strong cooking odors, issues of odors can raise awkward questions regarding how far an association can go in regulating private behavior inside a unit. Does the condominium board face liability if repeated complaints about smells are ignored?

How can a condominium association balance residents’ individual owner rights and the right to privacy with the comfort of other owners? It is important to understand the condominium board’s authority under the Illinois Condominium Property Act (Ch. 765, Act 605, Sections 1 through 35) and how related case law can help navigate these challenges. An Arlington Heights, IL condominium association law attorney can help guide you through this tricky situation to ensure you follow the law and avoid claims of overreach or bias.

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 Posted on September 25, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

While smart technology was once limited to high-end or luxury homes, this is no longer the case. Across the United States, and in Illinois neighborhoods, smart technology is becoming standard. With the wide range of smart technologies (Ring doorbells, Nest thermostats, and even community-wide security cameras and property inspection drones), HOAs face the challenge of determining how much smart tech is too much - and who sets the limits?

Illinois HOA boards must strike a balance between legitimate concerns regarding privacy and residents’ enthusiasm for security and convenience. Unfortunately, Illinois law has not quite caught up with the latest forms of technology, leaving HOA boards responsible for developing enforceable policies. If your HOA board is struggling with these policies, an experienced Arlington Heights, IL HOA attorney can help.

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 Posted on September 10, 2025 in Personal Injury

In the fall of 2024, a Cook County jury awarded $66 million to the family of a woman who died following two cosmetic surgery procedures (a tummy tuck and liposuction). This amount included $32 million for grief and suffering, $15 million for loss of consortium or companionship, and $19 million for the decedent’s pain and emotional distress before her death. The attorney for the family called it a record medical malpractice verdict for wrongful death in the state.

Generally speaking, it can be more difficult to win a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit following a cosmetic procedure because these procedures are elective. This means that the patient is often assumed to have accepted any inherent risks from the procedure. The success of such a claim lies in proving that the surgeon’s negligence caused an injury or death that goes far beyond mere dissatisfaction with the cosmetic result – or even a complication from a failed cosmetic surgery.

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 Posted on August 31, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

Across the United States, including Illinois, neighborhoods are changing, with more residents interested in sustainable living. This could translate into keeping a few backyard chickens, a beehive, or planting a community garden. But what happens when trends like this come face-to-face with Homeowner Association (HOA) rules?

Conflict can result when HOA residents want to push the boundaries of the rules, yet there should always be a balance between legal obligations, community standards, and individual freedoms. Should HOAs work to accommodate these sustainable living trends, or is this a slippery slope that could result in residents taking even more liberties? Homeowner Associations can benefit significantly from discussing issues like this with an Arlington Heights, IL HOA attorney.

What Is Pushing the Rise in Sustainable Living in Illinois?

Major state investments in green technology and infrastructure, along with evolving consumer practices, are driving the push for sustainable living across the state. These factors create an environment where eco-friendly choices are not only encouraged but they are also affordable and accessible.

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 Posted on August 14, 2025 in Condominium & Homeowner Association Law

When something breaks in a condominium, the first question usually asked is "Who will pay for the repairs?" Whether a leaky pipe, a broken window, or a damaged roof, responsibility for repairs in a condo community depends on whether the damage occurs in a common element or a unit, as well as what the condo’s governing documents state.

Condominium laws can be complex. Boards and property managers must understand the applicable laws to avoid disputes, delays, or legal liability while protecting the association. If you are uncertain whether your association is liable for repairs, it can be helpful to speak to a knowledgeable Arlington Heights, IL condominium law attorney.

What Are the Differences Between Common Elements and Units?

Common elements in a condominium association include shared areas such as:

• Roofs
• Hallways

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