CICAA stands for the Common Interest Community Association Act, codified at 765 ILCS 160. It's the Illinois state law that governs most HOAs in the state, meaning any association where owners share common property and pay assessments to maintain it. CICAA sets minimum standards for how those associations must operate.
Does CICAA override HOA bylaws?
CICAA creates rights that override conflicting bylaw provisions. If your bylaws contradict CICAA, CICAA wins. Most homeowners assume "it's in the bylaws" means the board is automatically allowed to do it. They aren't. The statute sets a floor that bylaws can't go beneath, even bylaws adopted years before the statute existed.
Which CICAA procedural rules do boards routinely skip?
CICAA imposes procedural requirements that boards routinely skip. Proper meeting notice. Written complaint resolution policies under 765 ILCS 615. Producing records within the statutory window. Due-process steps before the board can impose a fine. Consistent rule enforcement -- a board that fines one homeowner while ignoring the same violation by another is engaging in selective enforcement, which can bar the board from enforcing the rule at all. A board missing any of these is exposed, even when the underlying dispute would otherwise favor them.
What does CICAA not cover?
CICAA governs most Illinois HOAs but not condo associations, which operate under the Illinois Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605). The two statutes share themes but the specifics differ. Citing the wrong one weakens a demand letter immediately. The first step in any case is confirming which statute applies to your property.
Frequently asked questions
Where is CICAA codified in Illinois law?
CICAA, the Common Interest Community Association Act, is codified at 765 ILCS 160. It is the Illinois state law governing most homeowners associations in the state, meaning any association where owners share common property and pay assessments to maintain that shared property together.
What does CICAA require Illinois HOAs to do?
CICAA sets minimum operating standards for most Illinois HOAs. It covers how meetings are noticed and conducted, how records must be produced to owners on request, how fines and special assessments may be imposed, how elections are run, and what rights homeowners retain when the board fails to follow the rules.
What happens when HOA bylaws conflict with CICAA?
When association bylaws contradict CICAA, CICAA controls. The statute creates rights that override conflicting bylaw provisions, even if the bylaws were adopted long before the statute. Many homeowners assume "it's in the bylaws" means a board action is automatically permitted, but bylaws cannot override statutory floors.
Does CICAA apply to condo associations in Illinois?
No. CICAA governs most Illinois HOAs but does not govern condominium associations. Condo associations operate under the separate Illinois Condominium Property Act, codified at 765 ILCS 605. The two statutes share similar themes but differ in specific procedural requirements, so citing the wrong one weakens a demand letter immediately.
How DispuPoint addresses CICAA
When the case involves an Illinois HOA, CICAA is the first statute we open. The assessment identifies which section applies to your facts (records, board conduct, meetings, elections, fines) and cites the right subsection in your demand letter. We also flag the procedural errors homeowners rarely notice on their own. Condo disputes route to the Condominium Property Act.