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HB0003 • 2026

REAL ESTATE ILLEGAL POSSESSION

REAL ESTATE ILLEGAL POSSESSION

Housing Taxes
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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

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Plain English Breakdown

The term 'Legal standing' was removed from terms_to_know because, while used in the bill text to describe occupancy rights, it has a specific legal definition regarding court cases that is not defined or explained within the provided source material.

HB0003: Rules for Illegal Possession of Real Estate

This bill changes Illinois laws to stop people from claiming ownership of land through illegal possession and sets rules requiring written leases that list all occupants by name and date of birth.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the Code of Civil Procedure so that living on land illegally for seven years does not allow someone to claim it as their own through adverse possession.
  • Adds a rule stating no person has the right to stay on any real estate, home, or building without a written lease or rental agreement with the owner listed in county tax records or an agent.
  • Requires all people legally living in a property to be listed by name and date of birth on the lease, rental agreement, or application.
  • Bans subleasing unless the original tenant's written contract specifically allows it.
  • States that breaking these rules does not give anyone legal rights to stay, requiring them to leave after receiving notice from the owner.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who do not have a written lease or rental agreement with a property owner
  • Tenants and landlords in Illinois
  • Sublessees (people renting from someone other than the main tenant)
  • Property owners listed in county tax records

Terms To Know

Adverse possession
A legal rule where a person can claim ownership of land if they use it openly for a long time without permission.
Subleasing
When a tenant rents out part or all of their rented property to another person.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill text does not state when this new law will officially take effect.
  • The source material does not explain how the rules apply if a written lease exists but is missing some required details like dates of birth.

Bill History

No action history is stored for this bill yet.

Official Summary Text

REAL ESTATE ILLEGAL POSSESSION