5 ILCS 615/3
The Department is hereby authorized to enter into contracts in writing designating any person as the permittee of the State of Illinois with the exclusive right to prospect and explore not to exceed three sections, or an equivalent area, of the public lands of the State of Illinois for the occurrence of petroleum therein; such contract to contain such conditions as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations adopted by the Department in accordance with the terms of this Act. Such permit shall be for a period of one (1) year or less, in the discretion of the Department, and shall be granted free of any monetary consideration whatsoever, except as provided in Section 13 of this Act, and except that if more than one application for a permit is received with respect to the same public lands the Department shall grant such permit to the person offering the highest cash bonus therefor, and such permittee, pursuant to such contract, shall have the right to enter in and upon such lands and prospect and explore the same to determine the occurrence of petroleum therein.
5 ILCS 615/3