For purposes of this Act, "public utility" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership, individual, or other organization, their levees, trustees, or receiver appointed by any court whatsoever that owns, controls, operates, or manages, within this State, directly or indirectly, for public use, any plant, equipment, or property used or to be used for or in connection with, or owns or controls any franchise, license, permit, or right to engage in:
a. the transportation of persons or property;b. the transmission of telegraph or telephone messages between points within this State;c. the production, storage, transmission, role, delivery, or furnishing of heat, cold, light, power, electricity, or water;d. the disposal of sewerage; e. the conveyance of oil or gas by pipe line; orf. the provision of broadband Internet service, cable service, video service, or Voice Over Internet Protocol service. A. Whenever any public utility makes an application for a grant of an easement in, over, or upon real property of the State of Illinois for purposes of locating and maintaining such utility, or such utility's wire, pipe, cable, fiber conduit, or other facility or equipment, the Administrator, with the consent of the agency having jurisdiction over the real property, may grant such easement. The Administrator shall determine whether or not such is adverse to the interests of the State of Illinois and shall impose such limitations on the grant as may be deemed necessary to protect the interests of the State of Illinois. Such grant may be made with or without consideration.B. The instrument granting the easement shall provide for termination upon: 1. A failure to comply with any term or condition of the grant; or2. A nonuse of the easement for a consecutive 2 year period for the purpose granted; or3. An abandonment of the easement. Written notice of such termination shall be given to the grantee effective on the date of such notice.
C. The authority granted by this Section shall be in addition to, and shall not affect or be subject to any law regarding granting of easements on State lands.Amended by P.A. 103-0378,§ 900, eff. 1/1/2024.