Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026Key points from the Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board meeting, which occurred on January 22, 2026.
IPRB Releases 2025 Illinois Oil ProductionBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026New data is available from the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board regarding the volumes of crude oil produced in the State of Illinois for 2025.
Status of Challenges to Tax Deed ProceedingsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026On February 6, 2026, Senate Bill 3940 was filed by Senator Celina Villanueva. The Bill is an attempt to bring Illinois into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court holding in the case of Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, which was decided on May 25, 2023.
U.S. EPA Extends Compliance Deadlines for NSPSBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2026In July of 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for Oil and Gas Operations commonly known as OOOOb/c.
2026 Oil and Gas Assessment ScheduleBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2025The 2026 Oil and Gas Assessment schedule has been approved, whereby these 2026 taxes will be payable in 2027.
Tax Deed Proceedings ChallengedBy Craig R. HedinReal Estate Law, November 2025A look at the case Integrity Investment et al. v. Illinois Attorney General et al. and how the future of tax deed proceedings may be changed based on this litigation.
Tax Deed Proceedings ChallengedBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2025A look at the case Integrity Investment et al. v. Illinois Attorney General et al. and how the future of tax deed proceedings may be changed based on this litigation.
U.S. EPA Extends Deadlines in Clean Air Act RuleBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2025A brief summary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emissions Guidelines for oil and gas operations commonly known as OOOOb\c.
Well Security Requirements AmendedBy Craig R. HedinReal Estate Law, August 2025Senate Bill 2463 was amended and subsequently the bill passed in the Senate on April 10, 2025, and passed in the House on May 22, 2025. The bill amends the amounts required for security and the right to provide cash security.
Illinois Joins Coalition Suing Trump Administration on Energy Executive OrderBy Craig R. HedinEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2025On January 20, 2025, President Trump declared a national energy emergency to fast-track energy projects, citing unreliable energy supply. A coalition of 15 states sued, arguing the emergency is unjustified and the order unlawfully bypasses environmental laws, risking harm to people, wildlife, and state interests. The case may reach the Supreme Court.
Update on Status of Corporate Transparency ActBy Craig R. HedinBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, July 2025On March 21, 2025, FinCEN issued an interim final rule that removes U.S. entities from the definition of “reporting company” and added a new exemption to expressly exempt U.S. entities from the reporting requirements of the CTA.
Illinois Joins Coalition Suing Trump Administration on Energy Executive OrderBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2025On January 20, 2025, President Trump declared a national energy emergency to fast-track energy projects, citing unreliable energy supply. A coalition of 15 states sued, arguing the emergency is unjustified and the order unlawfully bypasses environmental laws, risking harm to people, wildlife, and state interests. The case may reach the Supreme Court.
Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2025The Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board held its quarterly meeting on April 24, 2025. Here is a summary of reports and actions undertaken at the meeting.
Well Security Requirements AmendedBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2025Senate Bill 2463 was filed on February 7, 2025. The bill was amended by Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 filed on April 4, 2025. The amended bill passed in the Senate on April 10, 2025, and passed in the House on May 22, 2025. The bill amends the security that is required of new permittees for wells. The amendment follows the structure of the previous statute and regulations, but amends the amounts required for security and the right to provide cash security.
Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2025The Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board held its quarterly meeting on January 23, 2025. The following is a summary of reports and actions conducted at the meeting.
IPRB Releases 2024 Illinois Oil ProductionBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2025The Illinois Petroleum Resources Board through its Executive Director, Seth Whitehead, has released the volumes of crude oil production in the State of Illinois for 2024. Production of oil in Illinois has been somewhat static since 1997.
President Trump Issues Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy”By Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2025On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order No. 14154 entitled “Unleashing American Energy.” This article contains highlights of the Executive Order.
Update on Status of Corporate Transparency ActBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, March 2025On March 21, 2025, FinCEN issued an interim final rule that removes U.S. entities from the definition of “reporting company” and added a new exemption to expressly exempt U.S. entities from the reporting requirements of the CTA.
Update on Status of Corporate Transparency ActBy Craig R. HedinCorporate Law Departments, March 2025On March 21, 2025, FinCEN issued an interim final rule that removes U.S. entities from the definition of “reporting company” and added a new exemption to expressly exempt U.S. entities from the reporting requirements of the CTA.
2025 Oil and Gas Assessment ScheduleBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2024The Supervisors of Assessments for oil and gas producing counties have met to approve the assessment schedule for 2025.
Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2024A summary of the Oil and Gas Advisory Board's quarterly meeting on November 7, 2024.
USEPA Finalizes Rule to Collect Waste Emissions ChargeBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, December 2024On November 12, 2024, the USEPA announced the final rule with respect to collecting a WEC to better ensure that methane gas reaches the market rather than polluting the air. The final rule implements the directive of Congress and incentivizes operators to take action to conserve energy resources for consumers and to reduce methane emissions.
Climate Change Litigation – States vs. StatesBy Craig R. HedinEnergy, Utilities, Telecommunications, and Transportation, November 2024Much has been written about states, cities, organizations, and other plaintiffs commencing litigation alleging that energy companies have misled the public about the damage that fossil fuels contribute to climate change. The lawsuits claim billions of dollars in damage from destructive weather allegedly attributable to climate change. Most cases have either been filed or returned to states for consideration. To date, SCOTUS has declined to address the issues raised by the litigation.
Climate Change Litigation – States vs. StatesBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, October 2024Much has been written about states, cities, organizations, and other plaintiffs commencing litigation alleging that energy companies have misled the public about the damage that fossil fuels contribute to climate change. The lawsuits claim billions of dollars in damage from destructive weather allegedly attributable to climate change. Most cases have either been filed or returned to states for consideration. To date, SCOTUS has declined to address the issues raised by the litigation.
IDNR/OOGRM Announces Well Plugging ProgramBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, October 2024The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Oil and Gas Resource Management, has announced well plugging assistance through a Methane Emissions Reduction Program.
Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, October 2024The Oil and Gas Advisory Board had its quarterly meeting on August 8, 2024.
Illinois Supreme Court Addresses Liability Based on Environmental Statutes and RegulationsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2024The Illinois Supreme Court recently issued an opinion on whether there can be liability based upon a violation of the Illinois environmental statutes and regulations governing underground storage tanks in Laura E. Rice, et al. v. Marathon Petroleum Corp., et al.
Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2024A summary of the discussion at the May 2024 Oil and Gas Advisory Board meeting.
USEPA Finalizes New Methane RegulationsBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2024The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published its methane regulations in the Federal Register on March 8.
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