IL HB5716

Requires written consent from all affected mineral interest owners and surface owners before drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or mineral removal operations can be conducted under the Illinois Oil and Gas Act and Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act.

Adds consent requirements to permit applications for both traditional oil and gas drilling operations and high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations.

Establishes enforcement penalties including permanent cessation of operations and treble damages equal to three times the full market value of minerals illegally extracted, payable to the mineral interest owner.

Permits mineral interest owners to pursue civil lawsuits for compensatory or punitive damages in addition to Department-imposed penalties for violations.

Applies these consent requirements notwithstanding any other provision of statutory or common law, including for horizontal drilling and all means of mineral removal regulated by the Acts.