In all cases in which any person has heretofore entered upon and occupied or shall hereafter enter upon and occupy, any lands, tenements or hereditaments within this state, by virtue of any lease or permit from the United States or this state, such person, his, her or their legatees, executors, administrators, heirs or assigns, may have and maintain an action of ejectment against any person who has or may enter upon such lands, tenements or hereditaments without the consent of such lessee, his, her or their legatees, executors, administrators, heirs or assigns, and proof of the right of possession shall be sufficient to authorize a recovery.
6-103.Lessee of United States or of this State.
Article VI. Ejectment · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceGives a person occupying land under a lease or permit from the United States or Illinois the right to bring ejectment against anyone who enters without that lessee's consent, and makes proof of the right of possession enough to win.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/6-103
Plain-English Summary
This section addresses a narrower situation than 6-102's general list of qualifying estates: someone occupying public land under a lease or permit from the federal government or the State of Illinois. It covers people who entered and occupied such land before this section applied and those who do so afterward, and it extends the same right to their legatees, executors, administrators, heirs, or assigns.
That lessee, or a successor in that list, may bring ejectment against anyone who enters the leased or permitted land without the lessee's consent. The section then simplifies proof: rather than establishing full record title, the lessee need only prove a right of possession to recover.
By naming lease and permit holders specifically, the section confirms that a possessory right derived from a government grant, rather than outright ownership, is enough to support an ejectment action against an intruder who lacks the lessee's consent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does this section protect?
Anyone who has entered and occupies land under a lease or permit from the United States or from Illinois, along with that person's legatees, executors, administrators, heirs, or assigns.
Against whom can such a lessee bring ejectment?
Against any person who enters the leased or permitted land without the consent of the lessee or the lessee's successors.
What must the lessee prove to recover?
Proof of the right of possession is sufficient to authorize a recovery; the section does not require proof of full ownership.
Does this section apply only to leases entered after it took effect?
No. It covers persons who have already entered and occupied the land as well as those who do so afterward.
Can the lessee's heirs or assigns use this section directly?
Yes. The section lists legatees, executors, administrators, heirs, and assigns among those who may maintain the action.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: ejectment against trespasser on leased public landfederal or state land lease ejectment illinoisproof of right of possession ejectmentgovernment permit holder ejectment action