A South Side couple is breathing a sigh of relief after a bizarre and frustrating month-long ordeal involving a squatter.
The squatter took over their vacant home, brought her family — and even a dog — and claimed the property as her own with falsified documents.
Marcia Lee and husband Carlton were locked out of their own home for over four weeks after discovering a woman, later identified as Shermaine Powell‑Gillard, had moved into the property they were preparing to sell.
According to reports, Powell-Gillard presented phony mortgage documents and a fake ID, claiming ownership of the house. Initially, responding police officers treated the matter as a civil dispute, citing Illinois law, which often requires property owners to pursue eviction through the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act.
“I knew the ID was fake,” Marcia told ABC7 Chicago. “I knew the documentation was fake. I’m just super excited that they finally got her out.”
Arrest After Weeks of Frustration
The Lees’ property nightmare began in early April when they showed up to show the house to a potential buyer.
To their shock, a woman who called herself “Stacy” was inside with her belongings — and her family. Despite the Lees providing evidence of ownership, Powell-Gillard’s documentation delayed law enforcement’s ability to act swiftly.
Illinois’s current squatter eviction laws require homeowners to go through court proceedings to regain possession, a process that can take weeks or even months.
But thanks to persistent media attention and a closer look at the suspect paperwork, Chicago police were able to confirm the documents were fake — the Property Identification Number (PIN) listed on the so-called mortgage actually matched a different home entirely.
Powell-Gillard was arrested and charged with forgery, burglary, obstructing identification, and criminal trespass, then released pending trial.
It Brings Peace to My Household
With the home now back in their possession, the Lees are cleaning up trash and minor damage before putting it back on the market. “It brings peace to my household,” Carlton Lee said. “That’s what I need.”
To prevent any repeat incidents, the couple has boarded up all windows and doors.
Calls for Legal Reform
Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford is pushing legislation to amend current squatter eviction laws. His proposed bill would allow police to immediately remove squatters once a homeowner proves ownership. The Illinois Senate has passed the bill, and it is now awaiting a vote in the House.
Until such reforms are enacted, homeowners are advised to take preventive security measures to protect their properties. These include installing surveillance cameras, informing neighbors, and avoiding easily guessed lockbox codes.
Experts warn that in a tight housing market with slow civil courts, squatters are increasingly emboldened — sometimes even guided by online how-to videos.
A Warning for Homeowners
Though still rare, squatting incidents are on the rise across the U.S., and stories like the Lees’ highlight the urgent need for legal updates and better homeowner protection.
As the Lees continue preparing to relist their home, their experience serves as a sobering reminder: in some states, owning a property isn’t always enough to control it.
