Rockford Sun

Dave Syverson introduced SB1400 in the Illinois Senate on Jan. 31, 2025, during the general assembly session 104, according to the Illinois General Assembly.

According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that illegal possession of land during a 7-year period may not be used for a claim of adverse possession. Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that no person has the right or legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure if the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property listed in county tax records or the owner's agent; no documentation of payment of rent made to the owner of the property or the owner's agent; or otherwise fails to provide any evidence of an oral or written agreement in which a property interest is claimed. Provides that all persons legally occupying a property, residence, or structure shall be listed by name and date of birth on a lease, rental agreement, or rental application associated with the lease or rental agreement or provide evidence that the person is an invitee of a lessee or authorized occupant of the property. Provides that no subleasing shall be allowed or deemed as legal in contrast to a lease or rental agreement that specifically prohibits subleases. Provides that a sublease made in violation of a lease or rental agreement shall not establish legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure by the sublessee and the sublessee shall vacate the property after receiving notice from the property owner of record to depart."

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the Code of Civil Procedure and the Landlord and Tenant Act in Illinois, restricting claims to land through adverse possession if occupied illegally for a seven-year period. Illegal possession of property is further defined by requiring occupants to have a written property interest under a lease or rental agreement, provide proof of rent payment, or offer evidence of an oral or written agreement indicating a property interest. Additionally, tenants must list all legal occupants by name and birth date in relevant documents. The bill prohibits subleasing against the terms of a lease and mandates sublessees to vacate upon notice if the sublease infringes the primary agreement. The bill also stipulates the notification requirements for property owners when dealing with invitees of authorized occupants.

Dave Syverson has proposed one other bill since the beginning of the 104th session.

Syverson graduated from Rock Valley College with a BA.

Dave Syverson is currently serving in the Illinois State Senate, representing the state's 35th Senate District. He replaced previous state senator Christine J. Johnson in 1993.

Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.

You can read more about bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB1400	01/31/2025	Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that illegal possession of land during a 7-year period may not be used for a claim of adverse possession. Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that no person has the right or legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure if the person has no written property interest under a written lease or rental agreement with the owner of the property listed in county tax records or the owner's agent; no documentation of payment of rent made to the owner of the property or the owner's agent; or otherwise fails to provide any evidence of an oral or written agreement in which a property interest is claimed. Provides that all persons legally occupying a property, residence, or structure shall be listed by name and date of birth on a lease, rental agreement, or rental application associated with the lease or rental agreement or provide evidence that the person is an invitee of a lessee or authorized occupant of the property. Provides that no subleasing shall be allowed or deemed as legal in contrast to a lease or rental agreement that specifically prohibits subleases. Provides that a sublease made in violation of a lease or rental agreement shall not establish legal standing to occupy or remain on or in any real property, residence, or structure by the sublessee and the sublessee shall vacate the property after receiving notice from the property owner of record to depart.
SB0185	01/17/2025	Creates the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Program Transparency Act. Provides that, within 6 months after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, shall compile a report concerning all substance use disorder and mental health programs in the State. Provides that the report shall identify each State-funded substance use disorder and mental health program in the State and provide specified information about each program. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, shall collaborate with relevant State agencies to ensure the timely and accurate collection of information required for the report. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, shall submit the report to the General Assembly and make the report accessible to the public on the Departments' website no later than 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.