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Adverse Possession Laws in Illinois

In Illinois, adverse possession takes 20 years, or 7 years for a possessor under color of title who pays all taxes during that time, and since January 1, 2026 the eviction law states that police may remove persons for criminal trespass.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Illinois at a glance

Standard period
20 years
With color of title
7 years (with taxes paid)
Requires claim and color of title made in good faith and payment of all taxes for 7 successive years.
Property taxes required
Only for the 7-year route
Not required for the 20-year period.
Squatter removal law
Yes, police removal for trespass (2026)
Public Act 104-0029, effective January 1, 2026, says the eviction article does not stop police from enforcing criminal trespass or removing persons when there is a criminal trespass.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Illinois

How many years of possession are required for adverse possession in Illinois?

Standard period in Illinois: 20 years.

Is the adverse possession period shorter with color of title in Illinois?

With color of title in Illinois: 7 years (with taxes paid). Requires claim and color of title made in good faith and payment of all taxes for 7 successive years.

Does the occupant have to pay property taxes to claim adverse possession in Illinois?

Only for the 7-year route. Property taxes required in Illinois: only for the 7-year route. Not required for the 20-year period.

Does Illinois have a special law for removing squatters?

Yes, police removal for trespass (2026). Squatter removal law in Illinois: yes, police removal for trespass (2026). Public Act 104-0029, effective January 1, 2026, says the eviction article does not stop police from enforcing criminal trespass or removing persons when there is a criminal trespass.

Where do the Illinois adverse possession laws come from?

The rules above come from 735 ILCS 5/13-101, 735 ILCS 5/13-107, 735 ILCS 5/13-109 and 735 ILCS 5/9-102. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Another 7-year rule applies to actual residence with a connected title of record (735 ILCS 5/13-107).

What this means in practice

Courts usually require possession that is actual, open, continuous, exclusive and hostile (without the owner's permission) for the full statutory period. The person claiming the land generally has to prove each element, and courts read these requirements strictly.

Owners can protect themselves by inspecting vacant or rural land regularly, keeping boundary lines marked, and responding quickly to fences, buildings or other uses that cross the line. Written permission, such as a simple license or lease, can make a neighbor's use permissive instead of hostile.

Adverse possession does not usually transfer title automatically. The occupant often needs a court judgment, such as in a quiet title action, before the new ownership can be recorded. Boundary disputes between neighbors are often settled with a survey and a recorded deed instead of a lawsuit.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.