5 ILCS 615/21

In the case of any application for prospecting permits or leases to river beds, lake beds, and shore lands, the owner of the right to prospect for and develop and produce petroleum from the abutting lands shall have a preferential right for a period of thirty (30) days after he has received notice from the Department of such application, to a prospecting permit, or if petroleum has been discovered in commercial quantities in any structure underlying such abutting lands, a lease, to the portion of such river bed, lake bed, and shore lands as adjoins such abutting lands upon the terms and conditions herein provided, notwithstanding any acreage limitations herein provided as to permits and leases.