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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Evan Hansen and 5 co-sponsors

HB 3112 bars noncitizens from buying Illinois real estate (public or private) and requires a 6-month COGFA report on foreign ownership; sunset in 5 years, farmland included.

To House Energy and Manufacturing

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Summary — HB 3112 (Property — Foreign Nationals)

Bill number: HB 3112

Short title: PROPERTY‑FOREIGN NATIONALS

Amends: Property Owned By Noncitizens Act (765 ILCS 60) — adds Section 7.5 and modifies Section 7

Introduced: Feb 18, 2025 (Rep. Blaine Wilhour)

Enacted: Signed by Governor June 20, 2025; effective immediately (June 20, 2025)

Citation for new section: 765 ILCS 60/7.5

Purpose / Intent

HB 3112 directs state action to prevent noncitizens from purchasing public or private real estate located in Illinois, and requires a short‑term study and recommendations on noncitizen land ownership. The measure is framed to restrict foreign acquisition of Illinois real property (including farmland) and to inform the General Assembly about the scope and history of such ownership.

Key provisions

Prohibition (Section 7.5(a)):

“Notwithstanding Section 7 or any other provision of law,” beginning on the act’s effective date the Governor shall take whatever actions are necessary to prohibit purchase of public or private real estate in Illinois by “noncitizens.”
“Noncitizen” is defined broadly to include: (i) foreign nationals, foreign governments, or foreign entities; and (ii) entities over which control is exercised or exercisable by a foreign national, foreign government, or foreign entity. “Entity” is expressly taken to include corporations, partnerships, and other associations created in (or substantially beneficially owned by nationals of) a foreign country.

Report (Section 7.5(b)):

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) must submit to the General Assembly within 6 months a report that:
Details the history of purchases of public and private real estate in Illinois by noncitizens;
Provides information on the percentage of Illinois real estate owned by noncitizens; and
Offers recommendations to make it easier for citizens and harder for noncitizens to purchase Illinois real estate, including farmland.

Sunset (Section 7.5(c)): The new Section 7.5 is repealed 5 years after the act’s effective date.

Conforming changes: The bill amends Section 7 of the existing Act and makes related statutory conforming edits.

Who is affected

Potential buyers: foreign nationals, foreign governments, and foreign‑controlled or foreign‑owned entities seeking to buy real property in Illinois.

Sellers and current owners: public bodies and private owners transacting with affected buyers.

State government: the Governor’s office (for implementing prohibitions) and COGFA (for producing the required report).

Agricultural sector: farmland specifically singled out for study and recommendations.

Notable implementation and legal considerations

The bill directs the Governor to “take such actions as may be necessary” but does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or administrative procedures in detail.

Because the measure regulates foreign purchasers and property transactions, it could raise federal preemption, commerce clause, treaty, or constitutional property‑rights questions if enforcement mechanisms are enacted. The text itself does not resolve those legal issues.

Bill