Townhome association put lien on my home

Hoping to get better response than I did on the real estate board...

I live in Illinois. My townhome association is putting new siding on our homes and has instituted a special assessment to each unit for the cost. We can make monthly payments for 10 years or one lump sum by July 1. I paid the lump sum by July 1. The problem is that all year they applied my regular monthly assessment payments to the special assessment so they said I was behind in my regular assessment payments and sent me to collections in April and then put a lien on my home in June. In April they also sent a newsletter stating we could pay the "entire amount of the special assessment by July 1". It doesn't add up. I've written 2 letters to their collection agency/attorney disputing the claim, but have received no answer (violation of fdcpa?). In some states you can contest a lien, but from the research I've done so far, Illinois does not seem to make it easy for the homeowner. I'm just wondering where to go from here. I really don't want to pay a lawyer (the claim is only $1100), but I'm not paying any extra money b/c they were too stupid to wait for the due date to take action against me. Maybe they would have to pay my attorney fees? Any constructive info is appreciated.

By the way, no work has been done to my home yet...it is scheduled to be done in the fall.