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
Disney is most-nominated at 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, Nat Geo and more

Disney Leads the Pack with Most Nominations at 37th GLAAD Media Awards Across ABC, Disney+, and More

GLAAD has unveiled the nominees for its 37th Annual Media Awards, with…
2026 Actor Awards Nominations: Disney stars including Sterling K. Brown, Adam Brody and more score big 

2026 Actor Awards: Disney Stars Dominate with Sterling K. Brown and Adam Brody Leading the Pack

The highly anticipated Actor Awards nominations have been unveiled, spotlighting performances from…
Christians targeted in systematic kidnapping campaign in Nigeria by jihadi herdsmen, experts say

Uncovering the Crisis: Jihadi Herdsmen’s Systematic Targeting of Christians in Nigeria

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In Nigeria’s north-central region, a surge in the abduction…
Knicks snap four-game losing streak behind more balanced attack vs. Clippers

Knicks End Losing Streak with Balanced Offense Triumph Over Clippers

The New York Knicks found their groove with a more even distribution…
City of St. Augustine announces Jon Marston as next police chief

St. Augustine Appoints Jon Marston as New Chief of Police

On January 14, Sergeant Jon Marston is set to step into the…
Crane removes Hampton Inn By Hilton sign from Minnesota hotel that allegedly denied service to DHS, ICE agents

Controversy Unfolds as Hampton Inn By Hilton Sign Removed After Alleged Service Denial to DHS and ICE Agents in Minnesota

On Thursday, photos surfaced showing a crane taking down the sign of…
Woman in Minneapolis shot and killed by ICE agent after alleged car-ramming attack, DHS says

Minneapolis Incident: ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Woman Following Alleged Car-Ramming Attack, DHS Reports

An officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fatally shot a woman…
DHS Sec. Kristi Noem Drops Facts, Cooks Walz and Frey During Presser on MN Anti-ICE Incident

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Criticizes Minnesota Leaders Walz and Frey Over Anti-ICE Incident in Fiery Press Conference

In a dramatic turn of events, a left-wing protest in a Minnesota…
ICE agents have shot at people in vehicles at least 6 times in recent months

Alarming Surge: ICE Agents Involved in Six Vehicle Shooting Incidents in Recent Months

Since July, the Department of Homeland Security has documented at least six…
Allen Chiquini, found dead near Metra train tracks in Libertyville, Illinois, fell off moving train, coroner says

Coroner Confirms Allen Chiquini’s Death Near Libertyville Metra Tracks Resulted from Train Fall

A tragic incident occurred near the Metra tracks in the northern suburbs…
NASA weighs cutting short International Space Station mission due to astronaut medical issue

NASA Considers Early Return for International Space Station Crew Amid Health Concerns

NASA is contemplating bringing its crew back from the International Space Station…
Florida boater accused of killing teen in crash avoids jail time with plea deal

Florida Boater Strikes Plea Deal, Escapes Jail in Teen Crash Case

A man has confessed to being involved in a tragic boating accident…