What's Hot!:

Even the Chicago area is being updated about the CO2 pipeline project slated for our area including Adams, Hancock, Schuyler and Brown Counties. Several companies are seeking to develop carbon dioxide pipelines. A Chicago Sun-Times posted article featured a coalition working to stop the pipeline project. Its Editorial Board recently called on lawmakers to put safeguards in place for the technology. (Click Here for Editorial).  Schmiedeskamp partner Jeff Terry, who follows the projects and represents landowners in dealings with developers, acknowledges that there is opposition. “The Biden administration,” he points out, “supports the carbon dioxide removal industry and provided funding to accelerate its development.” (Click Here for Article) Like it or not, the pipeline probably is coming; landowners need to be prepared. Terry emphasizes that “landowners certainly should be appropriately compensated, but it’s more than just money and landowners also need to ensure that easements include protections for their land and improvements.” 

Business:

Lawmakers advance bill mandating expected pay scale and benefit disclosure. House Bill 3129 passed the legislature and now proceeds to the governor. The Bill requires employers, with 15 or more employees in this state, to include the pay scale and benefits for a position in any specific job posting. This would include items such as job board postings, newspaper ads and postings made by a third party on behalf of an employer. The Bill further requires an employer to make all opportunities for promotion known to current employees within 14 days after the employer makes an external job posting for a position. The Bill authorizes the Department of Labor to investigate violations of the law.