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* First, some background from a WGN article published in May…
“We have people simply trespassing on people’s property who don’t belong there, squatting and taking residence up on their own,” said State Rep. Jawaharial Williams (D-Chicago).
His bill changes state law to differentiate squatters from tenants and forego the months-long eviction process. It passed unanimously in the Illinois House and received only a single “no” vote in the state senate. The bill, SB1563, needs Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature to become law.
Real estate attorneys say criminals have been known to break into unoccupied homes and then pose as landlords offering prospective tenants a fake lease. They then take advantage of state law meant to protect true tenants from wrongful evictions.
“Criminals know they can do this. There’s really no criminal repercussion and you have live rent free in a home for 12-to-18 months if you’re lucky,” attorney Aaron Stanton told WGN Investigates in 2023.
* ABC Chicago last week…
The ABC7 Chicago I-Team is hearing from yet another homeowner who says squatters have moved into his property and refuse to leave.
An Illinois state representative lives right next-door, and has been watching the whole situation unfold.
The state lawmaker, Marcus Evans, is calling on the governor to take action. […]
“It’s happening all over the state. So, we’re shining a light to show the governor again, that his action is necessary, immediately,” said [Rep La Shawn Ford], who represents the 8th District.
“I’m going to be calling the governor and the office today and ask him to immediately sign this,” Evans said.
* CBS Chicago…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign Senate Bill 1563, or the Squatter Bill, into law. […]
A spokesperson for the governor said he will sign the bill, but did not share a timeline for when.
It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
[From Rich: All that hooplah and the bill doesn’t even take effect until January? Maybe they could just pass one with an immediate effective date during veto session?]
…Adding… A Pritzker spokesperson said when asked that, despite what they told news media outlets, neither Reps. Evans nor Ford followed through and contacted the governor and/or his staff to ask that he sign the bill immediately.
* More…
* WCIA | No more loopholes for squatters: Bill allowing police to treat them as trespassers heads to governor’s desk: The House passed the criminal eviction bill Wednesday with bipartisan support. This is an update to the current eviction rules. If signed into law, anyone living in a house, apartment, or on land without permission from the owner will be treated as a trespasser. This would give police the right to forcefully remove them from the property without a drawn-out court process.
* ABC Chicago | ‘Squatter Bill’ passes in Illinois House, heads to Governor Pritzker’s desk: “We’ve heard of instances of people providing false documents and fake rental agreements in order to remain on the property,” 10th District State Representative Jawaharial Williams. “Will this bill address that situation? Yes. It will also make it an offense when people present false documentation or fake their identity to the police officers or the owners of the property.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 8:49 am
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Last year I was hearing concerns over squatters rights, particularly from snow birds who live in Illinois less than 6 months per year.
Maybe we should apply the law to those homes of Illinois “residents” (those paying IL income taxes), to encourage them from transferring their residency. /s/
Comment by Downstate Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 8:55 am
During the pandemic and the eviction moratorium tenants rights groups started to openly encourage tenants to utilize the loopholes and cracks in the housing system as part of a larger “social justice” movement out of a belief property ownership is inherently evil. Glad to finally see some common sense by politicians.
There needs to be a follow up law that allows the property owner to get their unpaid rent back without spending years in court, as well as for damages to the unit which is quite common as tenants destroy the place on purpose on their way out.
Comment by Just Me 2 Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 9:27 am
Good to know that Senator Chesney supports squatters and their right to steal your property
Comment by Bellville Bruce Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 9:47 am
What kind of legal system even allowed us to get to this point.
Comment by Blue Dog Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 9:53 am
As long as it only affects actual squatters and not tenants who are beefing with their landlord, I don’t have an issue with it. So as long as the cops actually take the time to get the person living there’s side of the story, gives them a chance to say they’re a tenant and the landlord is lying or whatever, it seems like a good change.
Comment by Perrid Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 10:28 am
“What kind of legal system even allowed us to get to this point.”
The kind that got us laws that get written assuming landlords are big evil people (because they own something and charge rent) and the “squatters” are tenants that are under privileged and being abused by landlords. It takes in your face out of control squatting next to a state rep to get anything done.
Trying to give tenants rights, went too far. and a slow court system made it worse.
Comment by Ron - In Texas Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 11:36 am
===It takes in your face out of control squatting next to a state rep to get anything done.===
Um, no. Reading comprehension is apparently not your bit.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 21, 25 @ 12:13 pm