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Alleged squatters wouldn't leave man's home, so he moved in with them

  • Marco Velazquez, owner of a South Side Chicago property listed for sale, discovered alleged squatters inside and moved in with them in early 2025.
  • Velazquez found the squatters, Shermaine Powell-Gillard and Codarro, claimed to own the property with a mortgage not found in Cook County records.
  • Police told Velazquez under Illinois law they could not forcibly remove the occupants, so he stayed overnight with friends and negotiated a cash-for-keys agreement.
  • Velazquez paid the duo $4,300 to leave by March 5, 2025, and Powell-Gillard was later arrested on charges including burglary and forgery related to another squatting case.
  • The case highlights Illinois' legal challenges for property owners against squatters, prompting lawmakers to consider bills like Senate Bill 1563 to ease removal procedures.
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isba.org broke the news in on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
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