(765 ILCS 530/4) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 9654)

Sec. 4. Notice.

(a) Prior to commencement of the drilling of a well, the operator shall give a copy of the Act with a written notice to the surface owner of the operator's intent to commence drilling operations.

(b) The operator shall, for the purpose of giving notice as herein required, secure from the assessor's office within 90 days prior to the giving of the notice, a certification which shall identify the person in whose name the lands on which drilling operations are to be commenced and who is assessed at the time the certification is made. The written certification made by the assessor of the surface owner shall be conclusive evidence of the surface ownership and of the operator's compliance with the provisions of this Act.

(c) The notice required to be given by the operator to the surface owner shall identify the following:

(1) The location of the proposed entry on the surface for drilling operations, and the date on or after which drilling operations shall be commenced.

(2) A photocopy of the drilling application to the Department of Natural Resources for the well to be drilled.

(3) The name, address and telephone number of the operator.

(4) An offer to discuss with the surface owner those matters set forth in Section 5 hereof prior to commencement of drilling operations.

If the surface owner elects to meet the operator, the surface owner shall request the operator to schedule a meeting at a mutually agreed time and place within the limitations set forth herein. Failure of the surface owner to contact the operator at least 5 days prior to the proposed commencement of drilling operations shall be conclusively deemed a waiver of the right to meet by the surface owner.

The meeting shall be scheduled between the hours of 9:00 in the morning and the setting of the sun of the same day and shall be at least 3 days prior to commencement of drilling operations. Unless agreed to otherwise, the place shall be located within the county in which drilling operations are to be commenced where the operator or his agent shall be available to discuss with the surface owner or his agent those matters set forth in Section 5 hereof.

The notice and a copy of the Act as herein required shall be given to the surface owner by either:

(A) certified mail addressed to the surface owner at the address shown in the certification obtained from the assessor, which shall be postmarked at least 15 days prior to the commencement of drilling operations; or

(B) personal delivery to the surface owner at least 15 days prior to the commencement of drilling operations.

Notice to the surface owner as defined in this Act shall be deemed conclusive notice to the record owners of all interest in the surface.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-493, eff. 1-1-08; 95-830, eff. 8-14-08; 96-328, eff. 8-11-09.)