Madison County Judge Barbara Crowder on Tuesday will consider residents' request for a preliminary injunction to halt implementation of new state rules to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
The lawsuit claims the Department of Natural Resources violated several procedures as it worked to write rules to implement a state law regulating fracking.
Among the allegations is that the DNR didn't consider scientific studies and that there was no agency representative available to answer residents' questions at public hearings.
Opponents fear fracking will cause pollution, health problems and earthquakes. Supporters contend the method is safe and will provide an economic boost to southern Illinois.
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