SB1985

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STOP SQUATTERS ACT

What this bill does

Creates the Stop Squatters Act. Creates a process for local law enforcement to remove a person who is unlawfully occupying residential or commercial property without any right to do so. Requires the property owner to file a complaint with local law enforcement alleging facts to trigger the Act. Provides that law enforcement is entitled to a reasonable fee to remove an unauthorized occupant and provides legal protection to law enforcement for acting on a complaint. Provides that if the complaint is found to be false, the property owner shall indemnity the law enforcement agency. Creates a civil action of action for a person who was wrongfully removed. Creates a civil cause of action for the property owner for damages by the wrongful occupant. Amends the Criminal Code of 20212. Creates a Class 4 felony for making a false statement to detain real property and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property".

Sponsor: Chapin Rose Chamber: Senate Introduced: 2025-02-06
Stuck
P(Advance)
5.2%
Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
0.0%
Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Confidence: 95%

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: In Committee · Last action 314 days ago · STAGNANT

How does a bill become law in Illinois?
  1. Introduction of Bill

    A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.

  2. Committee Work — Hearings

    The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.

  3. Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report

    The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.

  4. Floor Debate

    The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.

  5. Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber

    If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.

  6. Gubernatorial Action

    The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.

Sponsor Context

Hearings

This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.

Action History

5 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-05-30 — Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2025-02-06 Introduction & Filing
Filed with Secretary bySen. Chapin Rose Rule 2-7(b)
Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-02-06 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-02-06 Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-05-21 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-05-30 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.

All actions (table)

Date Chamber Action Category Signal
2025-02-06 Senate Filed with Secretary bySen. Chapin Rose Rule 2-7(b) Introduction & Filing
2025-02-06 Senate First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing
2025-02-06 Senate Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment
2025-05-21 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-05-30 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +