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Des Plaines, IL HOA Rules: CC&R Enforcement (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Notice Required
Yes - before fine
Hearing Right
Yes - before board
Selective Enforcement
Defense available
Fines
Per published schedule
Court Remedies
Liens, injunctions

Summary

Des Plaines HOAs and condo associations enforce their declarations and rules through fines, suspension of privileges, liens, and Circuit Court actions. Enforcement must be procedurally fair and consistent or owners can challenge in court.

(765 ILCS 605/9) Sec. 9. Sharing of expenses - Lien for nonpayment. [...] (g) Lien. (1) If any unit owner shall fail or refuse to make any payment of the common expenses or the amount of any unpaid fine when due, the amount thereof together with any interest, late charges, reasonable attorney fees incurred enforcing the covenants of the condominium instruments, rules and regulations of the board of managers, or any applicable statute or ordinance, and costs of collections shall constitute a lien on the interest of the unit owner in the property prior to all other liens and encumbrances, recorded or unrecorded [...] (h) A lien for common expenses shall be in favor of the members of the board of managers and their successors in office and shall be for the benefit of all other unit owners. Notice of the lien may be recorded by the board of managers, or if the developer is the manager or has a majority of seats on the board of managers and the manager or board of managers fails to do so, any unit owner may record notice of the lien. Upon the recording of such notice the lien may be foreclosed by an action brought in the name of the board of managers in the same manner as a mortgage of real property.

Source: Illinois Condominium Property ActView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

CC&R (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) enforcement in Des Plaines is governed by the recorded declaration plus the Illinois Condominium Property Act or Common Interest Community Association Act. Both acts require boards to provide a violation notice, opportunity to be heard before the board, and a written decision before imposing fines. Fines must be reasonable and follow a published schedule. Selective enforcement (enforcing rules against some owners but not others) is a defense. Common violations include unauthorized exterior modifications, parking, pet rules, leasing restrictions, and architectural noncompliance. Associations may suspend voting rights and amenity access for serious violations. Persistent violations can lead to liens, court injunctions, and in extreme cases forced sale. The Illinois Attorney General's Office of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson previously provided assistance but funding has fluctuated.

Violations & Fines

Association fines per published schedule (commonly $25-$500 per violation, escalating). Unpaid fines become liens. Court-ordered injunctions and removal-of-violation orders are available. Associations may recover attorney fees per declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my Des Plaines HOA fine me without a hearing?
No. Both Illinois statutes require notice and an opportunity to be heard before fines are imposed. A fine without process is challengeable.
What if my HOA only enforces rules against me?
Selective enforcement is a defense. Document instances where similar violations by other owners go unenforced and raise it at your hearing or in court.
Can the HOA force me to sell?
Only in extreme cases through Circuit Court, typically after exhausting fines, liens, and injunctive relief. More commonly, persistent fines and assessments lead to forfeiture of unit equity.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Des Plaines

All Des Plaines rules

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