SB 1378

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. In provisions concerning hearings with regard to a finding of the Department of Natural Resources' that a well has been abandoned or is leaking salt water, oil, gas, or other deleterious substances into any fresh water formation or onto the surface of the land in the vicinity of the well, provides that the notice of hearing shall consist of written notice served to the permittee personally or by certified mail sent to the permittee's last known address. Provides that if the Department determines that the permittee resides or has gone out of this State or, on due inquiry, cannot be found or is concealed within the State so that process cannot be served upon him or her, the Department may cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the well is located, and, if there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in the adjoining county in this State having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. Provides that, in addition, the Department may cause notice of hearing to be posted at the tank battery located on the lease containing the well at issue for at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing. Requires the publication to contain notice of the pendency of the hearing, the name of the permittee, the name of the well, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which the default may be entered against the party. Requires that the Department also, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice of posting at the tank battery, send a copy of the publication by mail to the permittee's last known place of residence.