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THE SURPRISING POWERS HOAs HAVE TO WREAK HAVOC IN PEOPLE’S LIVES

The April 10, 2023 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver featured a segment where the host discusses homeowners associations (HOAs) and the surprising amount of power they wield.

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Article Archive

The Smart HOA’s Guide to Management Contract Renewal Success

When a high-rise condominium’s board president recently announced his approach to reviewing their property management contract, he unknowingly provided a perfect example of how not to handle this critical decision. Let’s examine why this common approach falls short and explore a better way forward.

A Lesson from “I’m a Mac” Ads

Remember Apple’s iconic “I’m a Mac” commercials? In one particularly telling 2007 ad, the “PC” character proudly announces his budget allocation: nearly everything goes to advertising to counter Windows Vista’s negative press, leaving virtually nothing for actual improvements. When “Mac” suggests fixing the underlying problems instead, PC dismisses the idea, doubling down on PR spending. … Read more

Fixing Our Community’s Communication Gap

“Owners are always encouraged to send ideas, questions or concerns to Management and/or me and indicate that you would like your correspondence included in the Board Packet.” That’s the assurance our HOA president, Scott Timmerman, has made to owners on several occasions, most recently in the December 2024 HOA newsletter. All things being equal, this … Read more

Chicago Media Spotlight Builds Awareness

Despite growing concerns about election integrity that have attracted media attention, HOA Board President Scott Timmerman responded to a detailed proposal I submitted for creating an ad hoc election process committee with a brief statement that “The Board is already handling this issue directly.” The proposal emerged after research identified multiple qualified vendors capable of … Read more

Speak At The Upcoming HOA Board Meeting

If you’re an owner at 175 E Delaware Pl, you should know that for the first time in years, our HOA board is permitting owners to speak during an official board meeting. This is the first small step in a positive direction for our community, and I encourage every owner to seize the opportunity to make your voice heard.

1 in 4 Owners Are Shortchanged in Our HOA Election

Did you know that 1 in 4 owners in our recent board election lost part of their voting power? Those owners likely thought their votes were evenly distributed among the candidates they selected. However, in our system, voting for fewer candidates than the maximum means some of your votes are thrown away.

Election Integrity Concerns Remain Unaddressed in 2024 HOA Board Election

In a recent email exchange with HOA Board President Scott Timmerman regarding the 2024 board election, it has become clear that the election process remains plagued by serious unresolved issues, which continue to threaten property values.

Board President’s Inaction Threaten Property Values

Serious issues with the recent board election continue to land on Board President Scott Timmerman’s desk, yet he left them off the upcoming board meeting agenda, raising concerns about avoidable legal risks that could end up costing every homeowner.

The Growing List of Unanswered Questions in Our HOA Election

In the latest installation of our ongoing investigation into the recent HOA board election at 175 East Delaware Place, we delve into new reporting errors regarding the vote totals for write-in candidates and the ongoing silence from those responsible.