Mary Welch has owned her Chatham condo for more than a decade. This week, she says she walked up to her own front door, knocked, and was met by a stranger inside who pointed a gun at her. With Illinois' newly effective "squatter" law in her back pocket, Welch figured police would be able to clear the unit fast. Instead, she says Chicago police told her they could not remove the person inside, leaving the homeowner, neighborhood officials and state lawmakers scrambling over what the law actually allows on the ground.
Welch told reporters that officers initially said there was nothing they could do until she produced her deed, and that even after she came back with paperwork in hand, police still would not clear the condo, as reported by ABC7 Chicago. State Rep. La Shawn Ford and Ald. Michelle Harris later joined officers at the property while they investigated. The person inside, Welch says, claimed to have a lease and refused to leave. According to ABC7, the occupant did not immediately provide a copy of any lease to reporters.
What the new law changes
Senate Bill 1563, the measure supporters billed as a fix for "squatter" loopholes, was signed last year and took effect on Jan. 1, 2026. It clarifies that the Eviction Article does not prevent law enforcement from enforcing criminal trespass statutes, according to NBC Chicago. Hoodline also previewed the bill's intent to let officers treat clearly unauthorized occupants as trespassers so they can be removed more quickly. Lawmakers pitched the change as a way to stop people from abusing tenancy protections to remain in homes they do not own.
Why officers say they couldn't act
The Chicago Police Department told ABC7 Chicago that officers in this case determined the people inside had been living there before the law took effect. The department said it is still "working out the kinks" as it applies the new statute to real-world situations. CPD emphasized it does not perform civil evictions and that officers will enforce criminal trespass only when they can verify an unlawful occupancy. That cautious approach left Welch without the quick remedy she thought the new law guaranteed.
Legal gray area: timing and proof
Lawyers who have analyzed the statute say the reform is significant but limited. It creates a clearer path for removing unauthorized occupants who move in after the law's effective date, but it does not erase claims that predate Jan. 1, 2026, and it increases the burden on owners to prove title before police act, as explained by Tressler LLP. That means an owner who finds someone inside may still need to pursue a civil eviction if the occupant presents apparent tenancy documents. Attorneys warn that improper or rushed removals could expose both homeowners and officers to civil liability.
What owners should do now
Experts recommend documenting ownership and any interactions, requesting a police report at the time of discovery, and consulting an attorney before attempting self-help to reclaim a unit. A recent legal roundup from KSN Law urges associations and landlords to proceed carefully. Local officials can sometimes help expedite verification, but having deeds, property index numbers and clear records of vacancy or possession will generally speed any enforcement response. For many owners, that still means a months-long civil process may be the practical route if an occupant's presence predates the statute.
Welch says she will likely have to pursue civil remedies to regain her unit while state lawmakers and CPD work out how the new statute should operate on the street. Her case is a reminder that changing the law is only the first step; training, verification procedures and on-the-ground judgment will ultimately determine whether owners see faster relief or more frustrating stalemates like the one in Chatham.
