New Law Targets Squatting in Vacant Homes

Governor JB Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1563 into law, granting law enforcement across Illinois the authority to remove unauthorized occupants from private residential properties without requiring a civil eviction process. The legislation, which goes into effect January 1, 2026, is being hailed by property owners and public safety officials as a long-overdue change to address squatting in vacant homes across the state.

Previously, homeowners were often forced to navigate drawn-out legal proceedings to reclaim properties from individuals living in them without a lease or legal right. The new law reclassifies squatting as criminal trespass and enables officers to take action once a property owner provides documentation proving ownership. “This bill gives homeowners relief and police the clarity they need to act,” Governor Pritzker said. “We are closing a loophole that allowed squatters to stay in homes that don’t belong to them, while the true property owners were left with no immediate options.”

Though the legislation was introduced following high-profile squatting incidents in the Chicago area, the issue has been felt acutely in Springfield. Over the past year, the city has faced a growing number of public safety risks tied to individuals occupying vacant and deteriorating homes. In one case last fall, a boarded-up house on North 14th Street caught fire and was later confirmed to have been used by squatters. Fire officials noted the building had no utilities and had long been uninhabitable. Incidents like this have raised concerns about the strain on first responders, as well as the danger to the surrounding neighborhoods.

In another instance, a boarded home on South 11th Street went up in flames during the early morning hours, again suspected to be connected to illegal occupancy. Investigators have reported several similar fires over the past 18 months, often in homes with broken doors, missing windows, and no running water. Squatters have also been found burning trash or using unsafe heating methods to stay warm during colder months—creating serious fire hazards that extend well beyond the walls of the abandoned homes themselves.

Beyond fires, neighbors in several areas of Springfield have reported illegal dumping, break-ins, and suspicious activity at homes known to be unoccupied. Some residents say they have seen people coming and going from boarded properties at all hours of the night, while others have complained about loud noise, stolen items, or drug activity. Police and city officials acknowledge that enforcement has been difficult under current law, especially when squatters falsely claim to be tenants.

City officials have also faced mounting pressure to address the broader problem of abandoned and blighted properties. In June, the Springfield City Council reviewed a list of 35 homes slated for demolition due to structural decay, repeated code violations, and known instances of unauthorized occupation. 

The new state law is expected to give municipalities like Springfield an additional tool to deal with these issues more swiftly. While demolition, rehabilitation, and affordable housing remain long-term policy goals, the ability to remove squatters without first pursuing civil litigation is viewed as an immediate step toward regaining control over vulnerable properties.

Under the provisions of SB 1563, law enforcement officers will be allowed to remove individuals from private residential properties when the person lacks a legal right to occupy the home and the owner presents documentation proving their claim. The law does not apply to individuals with valid leases or tenant protections, but rather targets unauthorized occupation where no rental or ownership agreement exists.

In a city where vacant housing and squatting have become interrelated challenges, the legislation is being seen by many as a way to stabilize neighborhoods and improve public safety. With implementation of the new law set for early next year, cities like Springfield are expected to begin preparing for increased coordination between property owners, law enforcement, and local agencies tasked with managing code enforcement and housing safety. The hope is that Senate Bill 1563 not only strengthens property rights but also provides relief to communities affected by years of inaction and bureaucratic delay.