Tag Archives: Chicago

Chicago condo owners act to prevent forced condo deconversion

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities According to local reports, the residential tower at 21 E. Chestnut was constructed as apartments in 1962, and converted to condominiums in 1979. Four decades later, the process has come full circle, with a pending deconversion to apartments. Earlier this month, 92% of owners in the 163-unit condominium building at 21 E. Chestnut St. voted in favor of a $44 million buyout by Strategic Properties of North America.  The Continue ReadingChicago condo owners act to prevent forced condo deconversion→

Chicago man with “anger” issues charged with murder of 5 condo neighbors

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Debgoonan@icloud.com What’s behind the alarming trend of violence in HOA-governed communities? This Saturday, the news of a mass shooting in a Chicago condo complex shocked residents of the quiet Dunning neighborhood. Here’s what IAC has learned from various local reports of the horrific incident, which left 5 people dead.   The shooter, a former condo association President, has a history of “anger issues” Chicago Police Department have arrested Krysztof Continue ReadingChicago man with “anger” issues charged with murder of 5 condo neighbors→

Chicago condo owner’s long-running Fair Housing case settled

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last week Michael Novak, a plaintiff in a fair housing lawsuit against State Parkway Condominium Association and others, distributed a news release announcing an out-of-court settlement of his 13-year-long dispute over his family’s service animal. The Novaks, who are both deaf, live with their daughter and a service dog named Hera. Hera alerts the Novaks to doorbells, ringing telephones, alarms, and other situations that hearing people take for granted. Continue ReadingChicago condo owner’s long-running Fair Housing case settled→

Chicago Neighborhood Association fights against garage for disabled teen

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A Chicago neighborhood association wants Planning and Zoning board to deny a family’s request to build a garage to accommodate their daughter’s wheelchair. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities On IAC, I write a lot of posts about mandatory homeowners and condominium associations that choose to deny disability accommodations. For some reason, some board members of HOAs resent the fact that residents with disabilities need reserved parking spaces, specially equipped vehicles in their driveways, wheelchair Continue ReadingChicago Neighborhood Association fights against garage for disabled teen→