Any corporation which is engaged in or desires to engage in, the distribution, transportation or storage of natural gas or manufactured gas, which gas, in whole or in part, is intended for ultimate distribution to the public in the State of Illinois, if the said business of such corporation is regulated or subject to regulation under either the laws of the State of Illinois or the laws of the United States, shall have the right to enter upon, take or damage private property or any interest therein, in the manner provided for by the law of eminent domain, necessary or convenient for its said operations, including the storage of gas, all of which operations are hereby recognized and declared to be affected with a public interest and all of the property used in which operations is hereby recognized and declared to be devoted to public use.
220 ILCS 15/1