E-mail the webmaster with recommended questions
Links to information are active: Mouse-over shows a hand. Or you may scroll down to view all questions and answers.
QUESTIONS
ANSWERS
ASSESSMENTS
To pay by mail, send checks or money orders made payable to JAMES KILMER CONDOMINIUM. Write your J/K account number on the face side. Mail along with the bottom portion of your assessment statement to:
JAMES KILMER CONDOMINIUM
P.O. Box 66089
Chicago, IL 60666-0089
Please note that assessments paid by mail are due on the 1st day of each month. Assessments received after 5 pm on the 10th of the month are subject to a $50 late fee. Please contact the management office with all correspondence, name changes, billing address changes, request for your account number, or any other questions.
BED BUGS
James/Kilmer Association has no bed bug problem. However, any unit at any time may become infested. Previous bed bug problems have been identified, with the bed bugs erradicated. Please review this BED BUG FACT SHEET if you believe your unit has a bed bug problem. It is a PDF which will open in a new browser window or tab.
BALCONY ETIQUETTE AND RULES
Restrictions apply to the use of the balcony to ensure the safety and being good neighbors.
1. Window boxes must be attached so they are on the INSIDE of the balcony railing.
2. Hanging of banners from balcony railings is prohibited by the Association rules.
Rugs, linens, clothing, blankets, mops and other similar articles may not be hung or
shaken from any window, door, or balcony.
3. No attachments in walls. Drilling holes into any part of a balcony or patio—floor,
ceiling, walls, window frames, or railings—is strictly prohibited, as is the application
of any adhesive.
4. When watering your balcony flowers, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT WATER DOES
NOT DRIP DOWN ONTO YOUR NEIGHBOR’S BALCONY.
5. Cigarette butts or any other items should NEVER be thrown over the side of the
balcony.
6. Storing bicycles on balconies is prohibited by the Association rules.
7. No floor coverings, carpets, rugs etc are allowed. Balcony floors may not be covered
with carpeting, tile, wooden decks, stone, paint or any other material as this is
detrimental to the concrete.
8. Pets should not permitted to relieve themselves on the balcony, even if it is in a “litter tray”.
9. How to dispose of charcoal. Charcoal or other cooking fuel may be deposited in the
building trash chutes only after being completely extinguished. It must be allowed
to cool for 24 hours, then wetted and wrapped before being placed in the trash
chute.
10. Please be considerate of your neighbors and keep the noise on your balcony or patio
at a reasonable level.
top
BALCONY ELECTRICAL OUTLET
One panel on each balcony has an electrical box blank cover. The window system has been fitted with boxes and flexible conduit to accommodate pulling wires through for outlet installation. Pictured below is a rendering of a typical 2 bedroom balcony electric outlet blank cover location.
Liberatore Electrical 815-464-5566 has installed electrical outlet boxes for owners. Call for a current price.
DELIVERIES
All deliveries should go through the receiving room at James and west entry door at Kilmer. The only exception is with fast food delivery or floral delivery.
What deliveries require the reservation of elevators? How
the process works, and who do I contact?
Contact the Receiving Room
Phone (312) 654-1560 ext. 5
The Receiving Room is located on the lobby level of James House, just inside of the rear service entrance (northwest side of the bldg).
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 - 7 Saturday 9 - 1.
You may have packages delivered to your unit - see the Management office.
The receiving room will hold mail for you. Please complete the Hold Mail Authorization Form.
There are some restrictions on size, weight and value of items that will be accepted. Please check with the Management Office for more information.
There are delivery hour restrictions, and elavator reservation requirements for furniture, appliance, and other delivery items. See the Management office for details and to request your reservation.
top
DOORMEN
AND STAFF
What the doormen are authorized to do for residents, and
what they are specifically NOT authorized to do.
- Doormen may not perform personal errands for residents during their normal work hours.
- Doormen may not allow non-residents into the buildings without authorization. Residents are always required to show their door fob for building entry.
- Doormen will arrange for taxi service. You are encouraged to contact the doormen in advance if possible. You may also make your own arrangements. Residents have recommended the following transportation services. Management makes no endorsement of these services.
- Doormen may open lobby doors for residents needing special assistance.
All guests must sign in and be announced before being allowed into the building. This means that you must make sure your phone line is free, or have call waiting (e.g. not busy with internet use) when you are expecting a food delivery or guest. If the doorman is unable to reach you, the person will be denied entry. Your guest, even if a family member, must sign in and be announced.
-
All deliveries should go through the receiving room at James and west entry door at Kilmer. The only exception is with fast food delivery or floral delivery.
-
No packages can be left with the door staff during regular receiving room hours Monday through Saturday.
-
Messenger, courier and medical packages (no larger than 11" x 17") may be left for a resident during non-receiving room hours at the owner's risk. Any package not picked up will be moved to the receiving room the next day.
-
Keys or cash are never to be accepted or held by staff.
-
Front drive parking restrictions:
The area immediately in front of the door at James must always be kept clear for cabs and emergency vehicles. 15-minute parking will be allowed in designated areas when available.
-
No one should ask the doorman to permit his or her car to be left immediately in front of the building.
-
Car keys are never to be left with door staff or other employees.
-
Your Door Staff is on-call when you need help.
They and their relief backup take pride in being there for you when you may have an emergency situation. Stay calm and listen carefully to their questions and instructions.
-
If you have any issue you wish to report when the management office is closed, the doorman will be happy to assist or pass on your issue to the proper staff.
-
Loss of services: If you lose your power, your water, or your heat, or have an active leak or running water, contact the doorman and they will call for immediate assistance.
As staff must be at attention at all times in the event of an emergency please remember that the doorman cannot help residents past the inner lobby doors. Please don't ask to use the lobby station phones, as they need to remain open for incoming calls.
We ask that after you greet each other in a warm and friendly fashion that you don't occupy staff time with extended conversations. They need to be attentive to security monitors and other activities at their station.
Please don't ask for special favors or treatment outside of Association policy. You may put each staff member in an awkward position that could cause them disciplinary action for breaking existing policies.
If you don't like a policy, please don't take it out on an employee - bring it up to the board.
top
ELEVATORS
Do the elevator doors open/close faster if I push the buttons more?
NO, the elevator doors are computer programmed, please be patient.
Can holding the door open manually cause any damage?
YES, charges for elevator damage will be billed to unit owners.
top
ENTRY SYSTEM
How does the building screen entry system work?
The visitor will use the screen to phone your unit.
What do I need to do to 'buzz' a visitor into the building?
Advise your visitor to listen carefully for a 'clicking' sound when you PRESS #5 for JAMES House or PRESS #6 for KILMER House on your phone to unlock the door for your guest. Be sure to hold for several seconds giving your guest enough time to enter. NOTE: You may view the entry areas on your television by selecting channel 196. If live video display is unavailable, contact the management office.
LAUNDRY
ROOM
What are the laundry room procedures? (Select for link to procedures)
MAINTENANCE
What if I have a maintenance EMERGENCY? Call the Management Office 312-654-1560 Extension 1
IF OFFICE CLOSED or Not Answering:
Call the doorman:
James House: 312-654-1560 Extension 6
Kilmer House: 312-654-2079
LINK to a flowchart for requesting maintenance.
What seasonal maintenance is recommended? Contact the maintenance staff if you have questions. Also, see the Maintenance Department page self-help section: SELECT THIS LINK TO VIEW
Recommended HVAC filter replacement schedule and requesting filters via management
office; recommended summer HVAC drain clearing procedures; winterizing
window voids; reducing winter window icing (vent procedures).
Drain trap maintenance
A. Drains that aren’t used present a problem to the rest of the building
occupants – they dry out and sewer gas then backs up through the rest of
the building ventilation system.
B. Owners/occupants have an obligation to perform maintenance on their
drains if they are planning an extended absence from their unit.
C. That maintenance can take 1 of 3 forms:
1. Schedule someone to come in and run the water for 15 seconds in
each drain during their absence greater than two weeks (a chore for
someone who is coming to water plants).
2. Put an airtight plug on the drain.
3. Put mineral oil in the drain to forestall evaporation of the water in
the trap.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: SEWER GAS
Some owners in two bedroom units use their second bathroom for storage and typically place
belongings in that tub. Water is never run, the
trap dries out and sewer gas then escapes into that
unit and is drawn into other units through the
bathroom exhaust system. This gas is dangerous
to inhale and is poisonous in high concentrations.
Please make sure that you run water into
plumbing fixtures and flush toilets on a weekly
basis.
The sewer gas problem also applies when you leave your home for an extended time (3 days or more). Maintenance offers a service of pouring Propylene Glycol down traps for owners who cannot maintain wet traps. There is a charge for the service (parts only, labor is free). Contact the maintenance department for all the details.
Window and Sliding Patio Door maintenance.
The TRACO windows and sliding door installation will benefit from routine monthly maintenance. You may print the specific recommended procedures; click the small image to view. You may also obtain the instructions at the management office.
During the warm season where we are opening windows often, it is a good suggestion to utilize a silicone spray or dry Teflon spray on the moveable window and door parts. The application of dry lubricants should be at the spot between the bottom sash and the jamb. Try and apply some internally at the sash balancer on each side. At the patio door, the key points are the wheels. This will keep them lubricated to facilitate easy movement (after the initial tug getting
them open).
What maintenance procedures
will the maintenance staff perform and at what cost? (LINK)
How else can I get small maintenance jobs done?
E.g. Cleaning plumbing/drain stoppages; water faucet repair/replacement.
What are some self-help maintenace tips? (LINK)
MAIL
What is the correct mailing address?
Mr. or Ms. John Doe
1560 N. Sandburg Terrace Apt. #XXXX
Chicago, IL 60610
US postal service policy is for mail carriers NOT to
deliver mail unless this information is included in the address.
Envelopes not containing apartment numbers will be considered "insufficient addresses" and will be returned to the sender. You should check your incoming mail to ensure that the mail you receive from
others is properly addressed and, if not, you need to contact the
person or company and make the necessary corrections.
What are the vacation mail hold
procedures and policies? The receiving room will hold your mail. Provide them with your authorization using the Authorization To Hold Mail form.
Note: Effective March 2009 you must provide the mailroom your mailbox key; it will be returned, or you may pick it up, at the end of the holdmail period.
Link to receiving room hold mail policies.
Link to Hold Mail Authorization form.
What if I have a complaint about my mail delivery?
In order to have complaints addressed they must be submitted in writing using a Post Office Contact Form. Oral complaints will not be addressed. You may obtain a Chicago Post Office Contact Form from the management office or on the website Documents and Forms page. Link to Chicago Post Office Contact Form
top
PARKING
What
guest parking is available?
Select this link for information on guest parking coupon cost, coupon procedures, the pre-purchasing
of coupons; entering the building after parking options; daily and other
longer term non-resident rates.
PETS
What restrictions apply to pets that reside with, or visit, residents?
Dogs and cats must be registered annually with the Management Office. See the pet registration form for complete registration details, fees, and requirements. Select HERE to read the official pet rules.
Pet residency restrictions:
1. Traditional domesticated household pets—dogs and cats—and animals that are typically kept in
cages or containers in the home—such as birds, fish, turtles, and hamsters—are allowed. Wild
animals, farm animals, and poisonous creatures are not allowed.
2. Two cats, a dog and a cat, or one dog of 40 pounds or less are allowed.
3. Pets are restricted to those weighing no more than 40 pounds.
4. Exceptions to restrictions 1, 2, and 3 are made for seeing-eye dogs used by legally blind individuals,
for “helper” animals used by handicapped individuals, and for any specific animal registered with the
Management Office as of the day the Board of Directors approves these pet rules.
top |
