GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. — Robert Wagner has owned a condo in Glendale Heights for decades. So, imagine his surprise when he recently arrived at his one-bedroom unit to find someone he never met was inside.
“I went upstairs and the lock had been changed,” Wagner said.
Wagner called police. But because the new occupant claimed to have rented the condo and showed officers a one-page lease, they couldn’t immediately remove him.
“I felt like I was helpless,” Wagner said.
Next year, when Senate Bill 1563 takes effect, police will have more latitude to deal with clear squatter situations. It may allow them to arrest someone for trespassing, versus the property owner having to go through the eviction process.
Proponents say it could help decrease the number of new eviction filings. And may even save property owners time and money.
But Wagner needed immediate help, which is why he called WGN Investigates.
“Most people’s immediate reaction is how is this possibly legal,” said Ezekial McDonald-Lewis, a Chicago real estate attorney. “Because if someone breaks into your property, you expect that police would resolve that for you.”
WGN made numerous attempts to contact the man living inside Wagner’s condo. He wouldn’t answer the door but spoke with us by phone, claiming he was the victim of a scam. He told us he filed a police report.
But Glendale Heights police had no record of that filing. We are not disclosing the occupant’s name because he has not been charged with a crime.
In this case, the man moved out of the unit, shortly after he spoke with WGN.
Glendale Heights Police are still investigating. It’s possible the occupant could face criminal charges.
Lourdes Duarte
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