765 ILCS 540/5: Purpose.

In recognition of the fact that an estate of a joint owner in coal can be enjoyed only by mining, removing, and selling the products of the coal, and that the mining, removal, and sale of coal by one joint owner therefore constitutes the use and not the destruction of the common estate, the purpose of this Act is to clarify the rights of joint owners of coal in this State, to promote and preserve the value of coal reserves in the State, and to maximize the recovery of coal through the orderly and efficient development of coal reserves for the benefit of all joint owners in a fair and equitable manner.