Eminent Domain Blog

The Rock Island Clean Line is inching toward submitting its application to the Illinois Commerce Commission for approval--and surprisingly, it ...

The long-debated, much maligned South Suburban Airport planned for Peotone, IL reached an important milestone last week by submitting its ...

Landowners Beware: Project Influence Not Justification for Lower Property Value

The term “project influence” refers to the affects, either positive or negative, of an impending project on property value for those parcels affected.  On one hand, landowners could possibly use this theory to their advantage, making an argument that the area will be more developed and thus lead to increased property values once the project is finished.  On the other hand, the condemning authority could potentially take advantage of any negative affects on property value brought about by knowledge of the impending takings.  The latter situation is something that every landowner should be aware of and attempt to avoid.

Landowners are upset about the use of their property for the I-69 extension project, and the issues do not stop at the actual taking of the land.  Clients who have been the subjects of partial takings are reporting that their non-taken land is being driven on and even damaged as a result of the project.