COMMUNICATION IS KEY. That phrase is used so often in so many areas of life it borders on cliché. Yet, it remains a vital concept for conveying ideas and ensuring clear understanding. Effective communication can alleviate fears, dispel rumors, prevent enmity, and lead to positive resolutions and outcomes.


Take community associations as an example. How many times have you heard a unit owner complain that they never know what is going on in their association or what the board is doing? Too often, at the heart of that complaint is a communication issue. The problem could be that the board is not communicating effectively with the unit owners, or the unit owners are not effectively communicating with the board, or both. Sometimes we are so focused on the “telling” part of communicating that we forget to also listen. If “communication is key,” then “listening is key to communication.” It is not always the inability to clearly convey an idea or position that leads to a breakdown in communication. Failing to listen may be the source of communication breakdown.


Let’s circle back to the topic of big government, or perhaps just government. Our governments (i.e. state, county, municipal, etc.) impose laws, ordinances, and regulations that impact our lives in a variety of ways. Those laws also govern community associations. For example, a condominium can only exist pursuant to the Illinois Condominium Property Act. Most condominiums and common interest community associations are not-for-profit corporations, and therefore, subject to the


www.cai-illinois.org • 847.301.7505 | 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56