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.
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s AheadBy Ted M. NiemannMineral Law, December 2025The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today!
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanMineral Law, December 2025Historically, an owner of real estate, in fee simple absolute, was thought to own a pie shaped cubit, extending from the center of the Earth, all the way up to the heavens. This traditional rule of ownership is a gross over simplification which, as we shall see, does not truly apply in the case of oil and gas.
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.
AI and Your Mineral Law PracticeBy Cullen ManningMineral Law, September 2025Familiarize yourself with different types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how such tools may be utilized to enhance your practice; however, be sure you do not fall victim to AI "hallucinations" and other potential shortcomings.
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.
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill Banning Carbon Sequestration Near Mahomet AquiferBy John H. HendersonEnvironmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2025The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill banning carbon sequestration over, under, or through a “sole source aquifer.” SB 1723 passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0 on April 10 and passed the House by a vote of 91-19 on May 20. Upon signing by Governor Pritzker, the bill will become law. The Mahomet Aquifer is the only sole source aquifer in Illinois, and the bill applies only to carbon sequestration activities near that aquifer.
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.
Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill Banning Carbon Sequestration Near Mahomet AquiferBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, June 2025The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill banning carbon sequestration over, under, or through a “sole source aquifer.” SB 1723 passed the Senate by a vote of 55-0 on April 10 and passed the House by a vote of 91-19 on May 20. Upon signing by Governor Pritzker, the bill will become law. The Mahomet Aquifer is the only sole source aquifer in Illinois, and the bill applies only to carbon sequestration activities near that aquifer.
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.
Senate Bill Addresses Bonding Requirements for WellsBy Craig H. HedinMineral Law, March 2025Senate Bill 2463 was introduced on February 7, 2025, to amend 225 ILCS 725/6 of the Illinois Oil and Gas Act as to the amounts required as a bond for plugging obligations and other matters. The current Act provides that permittees who have not paid well fees for two consecutive years shall submit to the Department a bond to cover the costs of plugging a well and restoring the well site in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 or as determined by the Department by rule or submit a blanket bond not to exceed $100,000.00 for all wells. In the alternative to a surety bond, an applicant may provide cash, a certificate of deposit, or an irrevocable letter of credit. Once the applicant has paid well fees for two consecutive years, the bond or letter of credit is released, or the certificate of deposit funds is returned.
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.
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.
New Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act & CCS Project UpdateBy Laura HarmonMineral Law, December 2024On July 18, 2024, Governor Pritzker signed SB1289 creating the Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration, which addresses environmental and safety regulations, prohibition of the injection of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery, ownership of pore space, integration and unitization of pore space for CO2 sequestration before the IDNR.
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. 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.
