Condo Adviser: Illinois Smoke Detector Act phases out older models with removable batteries

Q: I dwell in a high-rise apartment and not too long ago heard a rumor about an replace to a statute relating to smoke detectors that apparently impacts condos. What’s the regulation relating to smoke detectors in condos?

A: In August 2017, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act was amended to incorporate further necessities for smoke detectors in residences, and these new necessities took impact on Jan. 1, 2023. Normally, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act phases out older-model smoke detectors with detachable short-term batteries that want extra frequent battery alternative and requires that such older-model smoke detectors get replaced with smoke detectors which might be hardwired or have a nonremovable 10-year battery.

The Illinois Smoke Detector Act applies to all Illinois residences, together with condominium buildings, besides these positioned in municipalities of greater than 1 million inhabitants, reminiscent of Chicago. Nonetheless, a Chicago ordinance adopted in 2021 aligns with the brand new smoke detector battery mandate phasing out older mannequin smoke detectors and requires that new or alternative smoke detectors in Chicago condos be hardwired or powered by sealed batteries. Underneath the Chicago ordinance, any new or alternative smoke detectors in Chicago condos have to be hardwired or powered by sealed batteries.

Q: I’m a board member in a self-managed Chicago condominium affiliation. The board is conscious that final 12 months town of Chicago proposed an electrical automobile charging ordinance that might have an effect on our affiliation as a result of we now have unit house owners with electrical automobiles. Was the proposed ordinance ever adopted or if not, is there an replace to report?

A: On July 20, 2022, the Chicago Metropolis Council’s Committee on Housing and Actual Property proposed an ordinance referred to as the Electrical Automobile Proper to Cost Ordinance. The proposed ordinance would grant unit house owners (and tenants) the fitting to tie right into a neighborhood affiliation’s storage widespread electrical system to put in an electrical automobile charging station to serve their “unique” parking area (i.e., parking unit or restricted widespread aspect parking area) as long as sure situations are met.

Nonetheless, the proposed ordinance has not but been permitted by the Metropolis Council. In reality, the proposed ordinance has not but moved by the legislative course of probably as a result of as drafted there are numerous considerations with the laws that should be additional addressed.

Q: I dwell in a midsize condominium affiliation the place unit house owners have all the time been invited to attend and voice their considerations. Just lately, unit house owners have been knowledgeable that they’d now not be allowed to talk at board conferences and unit house owners have been directed to electronic mail their points to the administration firm. Is it true that unit house owners usually are not entitled to talk throughout board conferences?

A: From a authorized standpoint, per Part 18(a)(9) of the Condominium Act, unit house owners are entitled to watch the open portion of a board assembly however usually are not entitled to talk. Nonetheless, from a sensible standpoint, most condominium boards give unit house owners the chance to ask questions and/or increase considerations throughout a owners’ open discussion board earlier than the board assembly is known as to order for functions of participating with the unit house owners (who’ve an possession curiosity within the affiliation).

Acquired a query for the Rental Adviser? E-mail ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com.

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