Citizens Organizing Project v. Department of Natural Resources

The issue in this case is whether the Citizens Organizing Project (C.O.E) is entitled to an award of litigation expenses under section 10 — 55 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/10 — 55 (West 1998)) based on its success in having an administrative rule of the Department of Natural Resources invalidated. The circuit court denied C.O.E’s petition for such expenses and the appellate court affirmed, with one justice dissenting. No. 4 — 97—0851 (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23). We reverse and remand for further proceedings.

C.O.E is a citizens group organized as…