Postponing Annual Election in Illinois HOA

Hi Johnnie,

In Illinois, an HOA can postpone its annual election, but there are limits on how long the delay can extend. Under Illinois law (765 ILCS 160/1-25), a board election must occur at least once every 24 months. If an election is not held within the timeframe specified in the HOA’s governing documents, the association must conduct it “within a reasonable amount of time,” which typically cannot exceed 90 days beyond the scheduled time. If the election is delayed past this period, 20% of the HOA members have the right to file a petition to compel the board to hold the election.

The association should communicate any postponement clearly to the members. And if the board delays the election due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., lack of quorum or external issues), it must still follow the procedural requirements in the governing documents.