Alleged squatters move next-door to Illinois state Rep. Marcus Evans in Avalon Park, Chicago: 'Going to be calling the governor'
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 Chicago I-Team is hearing from yet another homeowner who says squatters have moved into his property and refuse to leave.

An Illinois state representative lives right next-door, and has been watching the whole situation unfold.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The state lawmaker, Marcus Evans, is calling on the governor to take action.

He said they picked the wrong block, and his community won’t stand for this.

“I realized it was an issue, but seeing it happen right in front of me on my own street in Avalon Park has been astonishing,” said Evans, who is the representative of the 33rd District.

Evans is getting a front-row seat to what some are calling a crisis in Illinois.

SEE MORE: South suburban property owner finally gets house back, says squatters lived in his home for months

Earlier this week, alleged squatters moved into his next-door neighbors’ home. He says the whole block is outraged.

“Surprised us all, taking these folks’ property. Squatting: It shouldn’t be allowed,” Evans said.

The real property owners, Linda Gomez and Rodrigo Leyva, say they recently put their house on the market.

When they came to check on it this week, they say the locks had been changed, and a family they’ve never seen before moved inside.

“They open, and say, ‘hey, this is my house.’ I said, ‘no, excuse me. That’s my house,'” Leyva said.

The couple recorded video of the alleged squatters.

The family reportedly first stated they had purchased the home. However, when the police arrived, the story changed to them having rented the property and having a lease agreement.

RELATED: 5 ways to protect your home, vacant property from squatters: ‘Don’t want to make a home a target’

Police ultimately said they couldn’t remove the people inside, and referred the homeowners to the eviction courts.

That’s the current process under Illinois law. And it can often take months.

“It’s difficult to work diligently for something. Yet, these people come and simply invade. They trespass into the house,” Gomez said. “It’s incredibly frustrating.”

“My neighbor, she said, ‘call Samantha,'” Leyva said.

Someone was seen peeking through the blinds of the home, but no one would come out to talk to ABC7 Chicago.

It’s a story the I-Team has been uncovering for months now: squatting in Illinois, a statewide fight.

In May, Illinois lawmakers passed a “squatter bill,” which would give police the power to remove squatters from someone’s property the moment the rightful owner can prove it’s their home.

That bill is currently sitting on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Its co-author, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, says it’s imperative the governor sign it into law.

“It’s happening all over the state. So, we’re shining a light to show the governor again, that his action is necessary, immediately,” said Ford, who represents the 8th District.

“I’m going to be calling the governor and the office today and ask him to immediately sign this,” Evans said.

“Sign it! Just sign it! That’s all you have to do, right?” Gomez said.

The governor’s office said it has not established a timeline to sign the bill.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Woman undergoing an MRI scan.

Tragic Accident: Man Fatally Injured by MRI Machine While Wearing Metal Necklace

A MAN has died after he was sucked into an MRI machine…
A vehicle drives into a crowd in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people, including at least 3 critically

Vehicle Plows into Crowd in Los Angeles, Injuring 30 People, Including 3 Critically

A car plowed into a group of individuals gathered outside a nightclub…
Astronomer’s interim CEO Pete DeJoy reacts to ex-staffer saying he’s 'laughed at the memes’ of Andy Byron’s scandal

Astronomer’s Acting CEO Pete DeJoy Responds to Former Employee’s Claim of “Laughing at Memes” Relating to Andy Byron’s Controversy

Pete DeJoy, the individual appointed to temporarily handle the responsibilities of Astronomer…
Aftermath of a car driving into a crowd in Los Angeles.

Vehicle Incident in Los Angeles Leaves Over 20 Injured, Including Five Critically

AT least 20 people have been injured after a vehicle ploughed into…
Ian Maxwell, brother of Ghislaine Maxwell, in an interview.

Ghislaine Maxwell’s Brother Worried for Her Life in Prison ‘Like Epstein’… Commits to Proving Her Innocence

GHISLAINE Maxwell’s brother is afraid she will be killed in prison “like…
Nine 'posh' US teens busted at Heathrow Airport after causing drunken disturbance on chaotic Virgin flight

Nine Wealthy US Teens Arrested at Heathrow for Disruptive Drunken Behavior on Unruly Virgin Flight

This week, nine affluent American teenagers were apprehended at London’s Heathrow Airport…
Slovenia approves law to legalize assisted dying for terminally-ill adults

Slovenia Passes Law Allowing Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults

Slovenian legislators have become pioneers in Eastern Europe by passing a law…
Who are the Druze? Religious group aids Syrian members under Islamist attack, Israeli members offer support

Understanding the Druze: How This Religious Group Supports Its Members in Syria Amid Islamist Threats, with Assistance from Israeli Affiliates

Israel increased its airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday after reports surfaced about…
Kerrville flood: Lost dog Goldie found by rescue team

Rescue Team Reunites Lost Dog Goldie After Kerrville Flood

Goldie was located 14 days after disappearing during the floods. Kerrville Pets…
Hoo Boy: New Effort by Dems to Figure Out Why They're Losing Is Hilariously Clueless

How Democrats Undermined Themselves: Self-Owns, Reckless Moves, Delays, and Vocal Mishaps Against Trump

Democrats are facing a series of setbacks, and their attempts to challenge…
The solar tax credit is ending: What that means for homeowners

What Homeowners Need to Know Before the Solar Tax Credit Ends

(NerdWallet) – President Donald Trump’s signing of the “big, beautiful bill” on…
Hilarious: Book Sheds New Light on Kamala Campaign's 'Tailspin' Over McDonald's Employment Claims

Funny Revelation: New Book Uncovers Kamala Campaign’s Chaos Over McDonald’s Job Claims

Among the most amusing and unexpected events of the 2024 general election…