(20 ILCS 863/20)

Sec. 20. Transfer process.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the State Property Control Act, an adjacent owner may request the transfer of a limited portion of the Prairie Wind Trail in accordance with this Act. If an adjacent owner desires transfer of a portion of the Prairie Wind Trail, the adjacent owner shall provide notice to the Department, accompanied by the following:

(1) a title search proving ownership or a certified copy of the recorded deed for the adjacent real property;

(2) a copy of the most recent real property tax assessment for the adjacent real property; and

(3) a notarized affidavit executed by the owner of the adjacent real property affirming current ownership of the adjacent real property.

(b) The real estate transferred to an adjacent owner pursuant to this Act may not extend beyond an area encompassed by:

(1) the common property boundary;

(2) the center line of the Prairie Wind Trail; and

(3) lines extending from the boundary of the common boundary of the real estate to the center line of the Prairie Wind Trail.

(c) Upon receipt of notice, the Department shall determine whether the adjacent owner has demonstrated ownership of the real estate with a common boundary to the Prairie Wind Trail and compliance with subsection (a) of this Section.

(d) If the adjacent owner demonstrates ownership of the real estate with a common boundary to the Prairie Wind Trail and compliance with subsection (a) of this Section, the Department shall notify the adjacent owner and schedule a real estate closing at a mutually agreeable time and place. The adjacent owner is responsible to pay all filing fees, taxes, and costs associated with closing the real estate transaction.

(e) If a person does not demonstrate ownership of the real estate with a common boundary to the Prairie Wind Trail or compliance with subsection (a) of this Section, the Department shall reject the request to transfer any portion of the Prairie Wind Trail to that person.

(f) If the Department receives a request to transfer any portion of the Prairie Wind Trail that is the subject of any pending action filed in any federal or State court, that requested portion of the Prairie Wind Trail may not be transferred by the Department until a final judgment is rendered in the pending action.

(g) In the case of 2 or more parties claiming ownership of all or the same adjacent property, the Department shall not transfer any property of the requested portion of the Prairie Wind Trail until an agreed-upon settlement between the conflicting parties is made or until a final judgment is made in any action related to the adjacent property in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(h) Upon a final judgment in favor of the requesting party or dismissal of all lawsuits concerning real estate for which a transfer has been requested, the Department shall transfer that real estate, provided that it meets the other requirements of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-398, eff. 8-18-15.)