‘Pro-taxpayer’ law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells
(The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says recently-signed legislation will ensure that Illinois taxpayers don’t foot the bill for cleaning up abandoned oil wells.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2463 earlier this month. The bill sponsor, state Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, said the measure addresses a costly problem.
“So the law would ensure that oil well operators, not taxpayers, are financially responsible for closing and remediating sites once the drilling operations have ceased,” Harriss explained.
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, more than 150,000 oil, gas, and injection wells have been drilled in Illinois since 1853. EDF mapped locations for the state’s 4,050 “orphan” oil wells, most of which are in Southern Illinois.
The EDF website states that oil and gas wells, after they are done producing, must be properly closed to prevent air and water pollution, protect the health of the surrounding communities and restore the property values of the landowner.
When the abandoned wells have no solvent owner of record, cleanup liability falls on the state or on funding from federal grants. The average cost to close one well is estimated to be around $20,000, with remediation costing tens of thousands more.
SB 2463 provides for a third-party-backed bond instead of cash deposits for future oil rigs, sparing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from cleanup costs.
“This bill is about accountability, that taxpayers shouldn’t be footing that bills when operators walk away from obligations,” Harris told The Center Square.
Harriss said she worked with the Illinois DNR and the oil and gas industry on the legislation.
“They were most certainly included in the conversation and this is not anti-oil and gas at all. This is pro-taxpayer,” Harriss said.
Senate Bill 2463 passed both chambers of the General Assembly with no opposition last spring.
The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for March 10, 2026
Peotone 207U Board Confronts Budget Pressures, Facility Needs at March 16 Meeting
Ad-Hoc Committee: Will County Sheriff’s Office to Acquire Decibel Meters for Noise Complaints
Crest Hill Homeowner Granted Side Yard Setback Variance for Accessible Addition
Will County Public Works Approves Access for 56-Acre Truck Services Hub on Manhattan-Monee Road
Committee Approves $317K Guardrail Maintenance Contract Amid Discussion on Installation Dangers
State Update: County Officials Raise Alarms Over Pritzker’s ADU Zoning Push and Data Center Tax Breaks
Federal Update: DHS Shutdown, War Powers, and Housing Legislation Dominate Washington
Will County Approves Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion to Support $355 Million Energy Investment
Will County Corporate Revenues Surpass Expectations, Igniting Debate Over Delinquent Tax Sales
Will County Grants Extensions for Seven Solar and Commercial Projects Amid Permitting Delays
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee for March 3, 2026
Will County Committee Postpones Liquor, Ad-Hoc Committee: Gaming, and Tobacco Ordinance Updates Amid Extensive Revisions
Green Garden Township Board Opposes Earthrise Solar Project, Begins Exploring Incorporation