SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will give clarity to law enforcement so they can more easily remove criminal trespassers from a person’s home.

“Our intention is to make it easier for law enforcement to enforce criminal trespassing and remove squatters from property,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We are responding to constituents who have had trouble with squatters who could not be removed without an eviction, and this will simplify the process.”

Collins’ new law, Senate Bill 1563, clarifies the state’s eviction law to ensure nothing about the eviction process keeps law enforcement from enforcing criminal laws. This change clarifies that squatters – who are trespassers – can be removed without going through the eviction process.

“Squatters are a problem, and no one should have to get an eviction notice to remove squatters from their home,” said Collins. “Law enforcement need to be able to do their job and return homes to their rightful owners. This law will bring back much-needed security to residents.”

Senate Bill 1563 was signed on Monday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

CHICAGO – State Senator Lakesia Collins joined Black Men United and Governor JB Pritzker on Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new affordable housing developments for low-income families in the Maywood community.

“This ceremony was a full-circle moment for me. As someone taken in by my foster family and a proud Proviso East Class of 2004 graduate, I know what it’s like to not always have a place to sleep or to experience homelessness,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “I am proud to stand with Black Men United as they open the doors to new opportunities for families of the Maywood community.”

The project in Maywood includes rehabilitation and development of housing units that not only meet high-quality living standards but also integrate emerging technologies to promote energy equity and sustainability. Through state funding, Black Men United is working to provide safe, affordable housing for low-income families of the Maywood community.

SPRINGFIELD – To address health care deserts and provide mothers the care they need, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will give certified nurse midwives more independence and greater flexibility in care they provide.

“This law gives our nurse midwives more flexibility in collaborating and delivering services and care to our communities,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We are modernizing rules to fit with providers needs and giving our residents greater access to health care.”

Before this law, certified nurse midwives had to collaborate formally with a physician to practice at full scope, but this would pose a challenge as more than one-third of Illinois counties lack sufficient maternity care. Under Collins’ legislation, House Bill 2688, CNMs are now allowed to provide out-of-hospital birth services at licensed birth centers without the need for a formal collaboration agreement, as long as they have permission from the birth center’s clinical director.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all youth in foster care have a pathway toward independence, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will establish a lifelong process of ensuring that youth in care are provided the opportunities to succeed.

“As someone who has been a foster child and experienced the hardships that come with that, we have to create pathways for children to succeed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “This bill requires DCFS to come up with a plan that provides learning opportunities and growth to foster care children and requires them to come up with a plan to push them on the path to independence.”

Senate Bill 1504 makes changes to the Children and Family Services Act to require the preparation of adolescents to successfully transition to adulthood.