Darien Neighbors Battle To Control Association

DARIEN, IL – Neighbors in the Darien Club subdivision are clashing over who is in charge of their homeowners association. Litigation is underway.

The dispute gained attention at Darien City Hall last month when aldermen received complaints about signs opposed to the existing leadership of the association.

The signs were targeted at the association's president, John Becker, whom opponents allege is staying in power contrary to the group's bylaws.

In a statement, Becker said, "The Association and its Board have acted in full accordance with its governing documents and applicable law. We remain confident in the outcome of pending litigation and that it will fully support the legality of the Board’s decisions and actions."

In an interview, Darien Club resident Bob Dreveny said he is a member of the old board and the new board. The old board, he said, refuses to relinquish its authority.

Months ago, residents voted out Becker, but his allies expanded the board and appointed him as a new member, Dreveny said. So the old board majority was essentially still in control.

Dreveny said the old board holds its meetings on Zoom. This, he said, allows the leadership to choose who can speak at meetings, shutting out opposition voices, he said.

"Homeowners were upset about policies that they were ramming through and that the board was not allowing any homeowner input," Dreveny said.

Recently, more than 60 residents were said to have shown up for a protest at nearby Driftwood Park. Afterward, residents posted their anti-Becker signs on their lawns.

The existing leadership went to the city asking for action to be taken against the signs, but officials said residents have free-speech rights.

Historically, Dreveny said, homeowners associations draw little interest from residents.

But he said at a recent meeting, residents representing 98 of the 164 households in the subdivision voted. That amounts to nearly 60 percent. It occurred at a special meeting set up under the current bylaws and was announced a month in advance, Dreveny said. But he said the existing leadership then changed the bylaws to prevent its ouster.

At the meeting, residents voted 97-1 vote to boot out the current leadership, Dreveny said.

He said the new board tried to get their signatures on the association's bank account, but was unable to do so.

"We gave them the results of the special election," Dreveny said. "They said they can't change anything unless told by the management company. I understand the dilemma the bank is in."