Senate Passes Fracking Bill; Sent On to Governor

A proposal to permit and regulate hydraulic fracturing is heading to Governor Quinn's desk after Friday's 52-3 vote in the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring session.

The governor has already said he favored the proposal, which will take effect as soon as it's signed, although it provides a 60-day window between the time a permit application is filed and an agency response is required.

Proponents say thousands of jobs could be generated in southern and southeast Illinois by fracking.