On March 11, 2016, the Daily Southtown[1] reported that Will County, Illinois officials now believe that the proposed Illiana toll road is a dead project in the state of Illinois. Will County officials stated that they plan to move on without this previously proposed project. The controversial proposed toll road would have connected I-65 in Indiana with I-55 near Joliet. In June of 2015, the Illinois Department of Transportation had decided to table the proposed project in light of the state’s fiscal crisis and lack of sufficient capital resources.
Illinois Eminent Domain
If the Illiana tollway project had been allowed to proceed, the toll way would have ruined, severed, and diminished thousands of acres[2] of productive agricultural land, running through family farms that had existed for more than a century and otherwise having a negative impact on numerous Illinois land owners. The toll road also would have polluted high quality rivers and creeks and paved over wetlands while increasing vehicle and truck traffic, likely driving away wildlife including the northern long-eared bats, a federally listed threatened species.
Illinois Condemnation Law
In the state of Illinois, eminent domain[3] is described as the inherent power of a state to take or damage private property for a public use, subject to the constitutional limitation that, “Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation as provided by law.” Ill. Const. Art. 1, §15 (1970). Illinois has, by legislation, delegated similar powers to governmental units, public bodies and public service corporations. If you are an Illinois landowner and have received a condemnation notice, it is imperative to speak to an Illinois eminent domain attorney as soon as possible.
Contact an Experienced Illinois Eminent Domain Attorney
The laws concerning eminent domain can be difficult to understand. If you receive a condemnation notice, determining the amount of compensation to which you are entitled can be complex and the skilled Illinois condemnation attorneys at the law office of Sever Walker Padgitt, LLP can assist you. Please call today at 888-318-3761 for help.
References
[1] http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-will-county-projects-dead-st-0311-20160310-story.html
[2]
[3] http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/circuitcourt/civiljuryinstructions/300.00.pdf
