(615 ILCS 5/18b) (from Ch. 19, par. 65b)

Sec. 18b. The Department of Natural Resources, may also, upon the issuance of any permit under the provisions of Section 18 of this Act, enter into an agreement with any person, firm or corporation to whom such a permit is issued by the terms of which agreement such person, firm or corporation, may take coal, gas, oil or other mineral or substance from or below the bed of any public waters within the State. No such agreement shall be made however, unless bids have first been advertised for and received in accordance with Section 4 of "The Illinois Purchasing Act", approved July 11, 1957, as heretofore and hereafter amended. Such agreement shall be made only with the highest responsible bidder.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)