Illinois HOA and condominium associations are governed by the Illinois Condominium Property Act and the Common Interest Community Association Act (CICAA). The 2024 and 2025 Illinois legislative sessions added new homeowner rights on plantings, parking, and sale approvals — and ensured the state's Ombudsperson program remains available to associations and homeowners indefinitely. Here is a bill-by-bill breakdown.
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2024: Native Plantings, Accessible Parking, and Anti-Discrimination in Sale Approvals
HB 5296 — Native Plantings
Illinois law now allows homeowners to plant native species in their yards. HOA associations cannot prohibit native plantings outright, but may set **reasonable maintenance rules** governing the appearance of those plantings. Boards with blanket restrictions on "natural" or "unmaintained" plantings should review whether those restrictions can be interpreted to prohibit native species — if so, the restriction is no longer enforceable as written.
SB 2740 — Accessible Parking Policy (Effective January 1, 2025)
SB 2740 adds Section 18.12 to the Illinois Condominium Property Act, requiring condominium associations to:
- Adopt a **written accessible parking policy**.
- Give disabled owners **priority for accessible parking spaces**.
- Review accessible parking requests within **45 days**.
Associations that have not adopted a written accessible parking policy are out of compliance as of January 1, 2025.
HB 5502 — Anti-Discrimination in Sale Approvals (Effective January 1, 2025)
Condominium associations may not exercise a right of first refusal, option to purchase, or right to disapprove a sale for any discriminatory or unlawful purpose. This amendment to the Illinois Conveyances Act and Condominium Property Act closes a gap that had been used to challenge discriminatory approval decisions.
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2025: Ombudsperson Act Extended Indefinitely
SB 1383 — Ombudsperson Act Extended
The Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act had a sunset clause that would have terminated the program on January 1, 2026. SB 1383 repeals that sunset clause, extending the Ombudsperson's services indefinitely. Illinois associations and homeowners can continue to use the Ombudsperson program as a low-cost dispute resolution resource.
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What Illinois HOA Boards Should Do Now
1. Review landscaping restrictions — any rule that would prohibit native species plantings must be revised to permit them while allowing reasonable maintenance standards (HB 5296).
2. Adopt a written accessible parking policy compliant with Section 18.12 if you have not already done so (SB 2740, effective January 1, 2025).
3. Review your sale approval process — any right of first refusal or disapproval procedure must be applied in a non-discriminatory manner (HB 5502).
4. Familiarize your board with the Illinois HOA Ombudsperson program as a dispute resolution resource (SB 1383).
5. Update meeting materials and member communications to reflect current law on plantings, parking, and sale approvals.
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How APM Provides Remote HOA Management in Illinois
APM provides professional remote HOA and condo management to Illinois boards through our HOA Alchemy platform, serving communities in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and across the state. Our compliance team monitors Illinois Condominium Property Act and CICAA changes to keep client policies current. Contact us at billing@apmhoa.com or visit [apmhoa.com/remote-hoa-management/illinois](https://www.apmhoa.com/remote-hoa-management/illinois) for a free remote management proposal.
*This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions specific to your association, consult a licensed Illinois attorney.*
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