2025 Articles

2026 Oil and Gas Assessment Schedule By Craig R. Hedin December 2025 The 2026 Oil and Gas Assessment schedule has been approved, whereby these 2026 taxes will be payable in 2027.

AI and Your Mineral Law Practice By Cullen Manning September 2025 Familiarize 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.

Appellate Court Applies Principles of Partnership Authority and Contract Waiver in Subsidence Dispute By John H. Henderson December 2025 An in-depth analysis of the 5th District Appellate Court case, Mitchell/Roberts Partnership v. Williamson Energy, LLC, its impact on mineral law litigation, lessons learned from the case, and 9 practical pointers for mineral law practitioners.

Become an Illinois Bar Foundation Champion By Jessica R. Durkin December 2025 At least twice a year at ISBA Annual and Midyear Meetings, we are pitched by colleagues and the Illinois Bar Foundation to become a “Champion.” But what is a Champion really, and what’s in it for us?

Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill Banning Carbon Sequestration Near Mahomet Aquifer By John H. Henderson June 2025 The 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 Order By Craig R. Hedin June 2025 On 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 Oil and Gas Advisory Board By Craig R. Hedin March 2025 The 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 Production By Craig R. Hedin March 2025 The 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.

ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference Photos December 2025 The Illinois State Bar Association hosted the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference: The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI on September 25–26 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville, IL.

Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s Ahead By Ted M. Niemann December 2025 The 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!

LAWPAC Needs You! March 2025 The Illinois Lawyers’ Political Action Committee (LAWPAC) needs your help to fulfill its mission to support the legislative goals of the ISBA and Illinois’ legal community.

Oil and Gas Advisory Board By Craig R. Hedin June 2025 The 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.

Oil and Gas Law Ownership Rights and Surface Issues By David M. Foreman December 2025 Historically, 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.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act—Positive Aspects for the Oil and Gas Industry By Craig R. Hedin September 2025 Learn more about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how this law will impact the oil and gas industry.

President Trump Issues Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy” By Craig R. Hedin March 2025 On 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 Wells By Craig H. Hedin March 2025 Senate 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.

Tax Deed Proceedings Challenged By Craig R. Hedin September 2025 A 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.

Update on Status of Corporate Transparency Act By Craig R. Hedin March 2025 On 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.

U.S. EPA Extends Deadlines in Clean Air Act Rule By Craig R. Hedin September 2025 A 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 Amended By Craig R. Hedin June 2025 Senate 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.

Will There Be a Legislative Response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Decision Addressing Riparian Rights Along Non-Navigable Streams? By John H. Henderson March 2025 This article provides an update on the fate of HB1568 and discusses a very similar bill introduced in the current legislative session.