Illinois will soon pay landowners if their property is disturbed by carbon capture construction, thanks to a bill signed into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois will soon pay landowners if their property is disturbed by carbon capture construction, thanks to a bill signed into law Friday.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers approved the plan to provide compensation if crops, trees, fences, shrubs, livestock, or other objects are damaged during carbon capture construction.

"It further clarifies just compensation for landowners and it gives further protections for surface owners in case their land is hurt or destroyed in the process of laying down a pipeline," said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview). 

Some are happy to see the Pritzker administration acknowledge rights for nonconsenting landowners as well.

"It may not be perfect yet, but we've watched a lot of bills go through here that weren't perfect," said Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). "We are making things better for the property owners out here in the state of Illinois with this."

Senate Bill 1697 passed out of the House on a 93-21 vote with Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) voting present. The measure received unanimous support in the Senate. 

The new law will take effect on Jan. 1.

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