Bill
SB 1820
The bill requires the Condominium Ombudsperson to mediate or arbitrate all Section 32 disputes, governing ADR with uniform acts and centralizing process.
Status and sponsor
- Sponsor: Sen. Laura M. Murphy
- Statutory target: Amends the Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605/32)
- Introduced: February 5, 2025
- Committee activity: Referred to Assignments and Judiciary; subsequently considered in multiple committees. Committee substitute action and companion bill activity occurred in March–April 2025. (See Legislative Actions below for timeline.)
Purpose / intent
- To modify the Condominium Property Act’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provisions by (1) specifying the controlling law for mediations and arbitrations under the Act and (2) requiring the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson to act as the mediator or arbitrator for any mediation or arbitration conducted under that Section.
Key provisions
- Scope of disputes (existing Section 32 language retained/clarified): declarations or bylaws may require mediation or arbitration for association disputes that either (a) involve a monetary value of $10,000 or less (other than levying/collection of assessments) or (b) arise out of violations of the declaration, bylaws, or rules; disputes may also be submitted by agreement of the parties.
- Governing law:
- Arbitrations under Section 32 are governed by the Illinois Uniform Arbitration Act.
- Mediations under Section 32 are governed by the Uniform Mediation Act (the bill adds an express cross-reference).
- Costs: The association may require disputants to bear the costs of mediation or arbitration (existing provision).
- New requirement: The Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson must act as the mediator or arbitrator for any mediation or arbitration conducted under Section 32 (i.e., centralizes ADR functions in the ombudsperson’s office for matters under this Section).
Who is affected
- Condominium associations (and their declarations/bylaws), unit owners, and other parties to condominium disputes in Illinois.
- Alternative dispute resolution providers and private mediators/arbitrators (party choice may be restricted where the ombudsperson is required to serve).
- The Office of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson — increased ADR responsibilities and potential workload implications.
- Attorneys, courts and administrative bodies that handle condominium disputes.
Potential impacts
- Standardization: Centralizing mediations/arbitrations through the Ombudsperson could create a uniform ADR process for condominium disputes under Section 32.
- Access and costs: May reduce litigation but could increase administrative burden on the Ombudsperson’s office; associations can still require disputants to pay ADR costs.
- Choice of neutral: Parties’ ability to select private mediators/arbitrators may be limited in cases covered by this Section.
- Fiscal: The bill does not specify budgetary changes; the Ombudsperson’s office may require additional resources if caseload increases.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Bill text amends Section 32 of the Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605/32).
- Legislative actions (selection): read 1st time (Mar 13, 2025); referred to Business & Commerce; committee substitutes adopted; on April 24, 2025 the bill was substituted/laid on table in relation to companion CS/CS/HB 429 (Ch. 2025-38). A companion bill is listed as HB 3621; committee actions indicate active consideration through April 2025.
- No explicit effective date is provided in the bill text excerpt; if enacted, effective date would follow the implementing act or the statute’s standard effective provisions.
For further review
- Full bill text: amends 765 ILCS 605/32.
- Related/companion bills: HB 3621 (listed), and committee substitute activity referencing CS/CS/HB 429 (see legislative actions).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
