Bill > SB1985

This bill, known as the Stop Squatters Act, establishes a comprehensive legal process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants from residential or commercial properties. The bill affirms that property owners have fundamental rights to exclude others from their property and provides a detailed mechanism for law enforcement to help remove unlawful occupants. Specifically, the property owner must file a verified complaint with local law enforcement, meeting several strict conditions, such as having personally directed the occupants to leave, ensuring the occupants are not current/former tenants or family members, and confirming no existing litigation. Law enforcement must conduct a preliminary investigation to verify the complaint's validity and, if probable cause exists, serve a notice to vacate and restore the property to the owner. The bill also includes provisions for law enforcement to charge a reasonable fee for their services and provides legal protections for both the property owner and law enforcement. Additionally, the bill creates criminal penalties, establishing a Class 4 felony for knowingly presenting false documents to falsely claim property rights, and allows property owners to file civil actions against unauthorized occupants who intentionally damage the property, with potential damages of at least $1,000 and recovery of legal fees.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1985&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104