A 12-member legislative panel has approved the rules regulating high volume hydraulic fracturing in Illinois.
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules gave its OK during a hearing Thursday in Chicago.
Fracking supporter and White County farmer Curt Bradley says it will take a little time to start drilling because there are permits that will still need to be acquired.
The rules will be posted for the public to view on the Illinois Register starting on November 15th. Environmental and business groups had been working out their differences on the regulations.
But, fracking opponent Annette McMichael of Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment - or SAFE - says she fears the rules will end up being more favorable to the fracking industry once they are released. McMichael says SAFE will announce more about its plans on Friday.
