Overview
- Governor JB Pritzker has confirmed he will sign Senate Bill 1563 but has not set a date for final approval
- The legislation classifies unauthorized occupants as trespassers rather than tenants and lets police bypass lengthy eviction courts
- Under existing law homeowners must pursue civil eviction proceedings, a process that can leave properties occupied for months
- State Representatives La Shawn Ford and Marcus Evans intensified pressure after alleged squatters moved next door in Chicago’s Avalon Park
- The bill is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026, aligning Illinois with other states that have adopted expedited removal measures