Unequal Enforcement of HOA Rules

[windycitywonder]

My question involves a condominium located in the State of: Illinois / Chicago

I live in a town home in Chicago, IL. Recently our HOA has fined myself for not bringing in our garbage can after trash day. My town home backs to the city alley. In the city of Chicago millions keep the can in the alley. My can sits on the City of Chicago's property. The HOA passed a law to require owners to bring the cans inside their garage from the driveways / inner court yard. My unit isn't located in the inner court / driveways. I specifically made issue of this and was told not to worry. We objected to this rule because storing a can inside my garage has a terrible smell due to dog refuse and garbage. I have kept the can outside for 1.5 yrs without issue. Many unit owners that back to the alley keep their cans outside. I know for a fact some are not being fined while I am being fined! I do not get along with the HOA since I object to many of the new rules.

Can a HOA fine "select" unit owners? Do I have a right to see fines for March and April? I feel I've been singled out for a rule that doesn't apply to me and isn't being levied equally.

Thanks for taking the time to read this question

[Mr. Knowitall]

I expect that the records of fines against other homeowners are maintained in the records of the HOA. Read this.

Answer: Unit Owners in the association are allowed to review the:

1) Board Meeting Minutes
2) Insurance Policies
3) Financial statements
4) Declarations and By-Laws
5) Rules and Regulations
6) A current listing of the names, addresses and weighted vote of all members entitled to vote
7) All contracts, leases and other agreements in effect at the time of the requests
8) All ballots and proxies for all matters voted on by the members of the Association during the preceding 12 months.

If an Owner wants to review the books and records of the Association, the Owner should make a request to the Board of Directors or management in writing. The Board generally has 30 days to respond to your request. For some documents it is also necessary to not only state the records you want to see but also state a proper purpose for reviewing the records. If the Board determines that you have made a valid request, they will advise you as to when you can come to the office of the Association to review the books and records. In the alternative, the Board may simply decide to make copies for you and mail them to you. You as an Owner are responsible to reimburse the Association for the cost of receiving the documents as well as the costs of copying the documents.