Amendments to Oil and Gas ActBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, September 2026The Illinois Legislature amended portions of the Illinois Oil and Gas Act pursuant to Senate Bill 3113 which passed both houses on May 31, 2026, and was approved by the governor on July 10, 2026. The amendment became Public Act 104-0567, and included changes to sections 225 ILCS 725/1, 725/6, 725/8(a), 725/8(e), and 725/26.
Oil and Gas Law for the Non-Oil and Gas LawyerBy John C. Robison, Jr.Agricultural Law, September 2026An overview of oil and gas law is presented for the practitioner who only occasionally encounters real estate with oil and gas issues.
Revamping the Procedure for Illinois Tax DeedsBy Cullen ManningMineral Law, September 2026This year, Illinois passed sweeping reform of tax deed law. Illinois H.B. 4537 was signed into law in July and provides for new procedures that counties have to follow when issuing tax deeds. The bill was passed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin Cnty. and was prompted by the concern that taxpayers are unjustly losing equity in real estate through tax sales and deeds.
Solar Development, County Discretion, and Mineral Rights: Lessons From Equity Solar and Tate Road SolarBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, September 2026A county may approve a utility-scale solar project above a coal reserve, but the permit does not answer who may use the surface years later, who bears subsidence risk, whether future mining can proceed, or how conflicts between competing uses will be resolved. Two recent Illinois appellate decisions nevertheless make county review newly important by dividing over how much discretion counties retain when acting on commercial solar applications.
Oil and Gas Law for the Non-Oil and Gas LawyerBy John C. Robison, Jr.Real Estate Law, July 2026An overview of oil and gas law is presented for the practitioner who only occasionally encounters real estate with oil and gas issues.
Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory BoardBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2026Various issues were discussed at the April 16, 2026, Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board meeting, including approving past minutes, update on the plugging of orphan wells, update on the Mitigating Emissions for Marginal Conventional Wells Grant, revisions to OG-09 form and the new OG-09A form, and more.
Miscellaneous Notes on Mineral IssuesBy Craig R. HedinMineral Law, June 2026A compilation of updates regarding reversal of the Biden-era methane restrictions; revisions pertaining to the amount of a bond to drill, deepen, convert, or operate an oil and gas well; potential review and revision of spacing regulations with respect to oil and gas wells; and an update regarding a previous ruling that Cook County's tax sales violated the Fifth Amendment and Eighth Amendment.
SB 25 and the Surface–Mineral Relationship: Implications for Illinois Mineral Law PractitionersBy John H. HendersonMineral Law, June 2026Senate Bill 25 marks a significant shift in Illinois’ approach to grid reliability and energy infrastructure. SB 25’s framework emphasizes long-term utility planning through integrated resource planning and a “diverse portfolio” that may include storage resources and demand-side programs.
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.
Oil and Gas Law for the Non-Oil and Gas LawyerBy John C. Robison, Jr.Mineral Law, March 2026An overview of oil and gas law is presented for the practitioner who only occasionally encounters real estate with oil and gas issues.
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.
Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface IssuesBy David M. ForemanReal Estate Law, February 2026Historically, 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.
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.
