Freeman Coal Mining Corp. v. Ruff

In December of 1965, the attorney general issued an opinion construing the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended. Section 2.11 of that act (111 Rev Stats 1965, c 93, par 2.11) provides that when an opinion of the attorney general is at variance with an opinion of the mining board, then all parties must abide by the attorney general’s opinion except that recourse may be had to the courts.

The 1965 opinion was in conflict with an opinion of the attorney general issued in 1956 and at variance with an interpretation of the act issued by the mining board, also in 1956. This proceeding, then,…