(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a new law empowering police to swiftly remove squatters from private property. A statehouse Republican says it reverses years of Democrat-backed policies that emboldened squatters.

The shift comes after state Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., D-Chicago, demanded action when squatters took over the home next door. 

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“I knew it was a problem, but to watch it up close right on my own block right here in Avalon Park has been just, it’s been wild,” Evans told ABC News.

Homeowners and Evans’ neighbors Linda Gomez and Rodrigo Leyva discovered that the locks on their listed-for-sale home had been changed and a family they didn’t recognize had moved in.

State Sen. Chris Balkema, R-Channahon, acknowledged that COVID-era eviction moratoriums hindered the enforcement of evictions and may have emboldened squatters. 

Balkema also acknowledged around the same time, lawmakers passed House Bill 2877, known as the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act, which Pritzker signed into law on May 17, 2021, allocating over $1 billion in rental assistance, sealing eviction records filed between March 2020 and March 2022, and expanding foreclosure and mortgage forbearance protections.

Still, Balkema welcomed Pritzker’s signing of Senate Bill 1563, which authorizes police to remove squatters once ownership has been confirmed.

“All of us—whether in life, our jobs, or our careers—can look back and say, ‘Here’s what we did well, and here’s what we could’ve done differently to get a better result.’ I think the most recent law to prevent squatters was a great step,” said Balkema. “I fully supported it, and I’m glad it passed and that the governor signed it. Looking back, yes, there were processes that could’ve been handled differently, but I’m focused on forward-looking solutions.” 

Opponents argue existing laws were enough and warn it may give police too much power.

When asked about the opposition’s concerns, Balkema said the facts speak for themselves.

“It wasn’t working—someone was literally camped out next to Representative Evans’ house. So he realized we needed a law to fix it. The legislature agreed, the governor signed it, and now it’s on the books. Hopefully, we’ll see fewer squatters across Illinois,” said Balkema. 

Evans, while appearing on ABC, said his whole block was outraged.

“It surprises us all, to take over these folks’ property. Squatting shouldn’t be allowed,” said Evans. 

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Balkema emphasized that protecting private property is central to American values, saying, “If somebody owns a piece of property, it’s the American dream. They should be allowed to manage that property how they want, allow whoever they want on it, and keep everybody else off.”

SB 1563 takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.