Governor signs anti-squatter bill into law

Gov. JB Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1563 into law, making it easier to remove squatters who move in and try to occupy someone else's home.

SB 1563 amends the Code of Civil Procedure to tackle the growing squatter issue in Illinois by clarifying the process for law enforcement to remove unauthorized occupants from homes. Under current law, squatters are considered tenants, which forces property owners to undergo a lengthy eviction process.

Introduced by Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago), this legislation closes a critical loophole by reclassifying squatters as trespassers, ensuring they can no longer exploit legal protections to delay removal from properties they had no right to occupy.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

There were several bills introduced in the Spring Session aimed at improving the squatter situation, but Illinois REALTORS® supported SB 1563 because we believed it offered the best solution. The legislation received overwhelming support from lawmakers in both chambers.