Illinois General Assembly - Illinois Compiled Statutes

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625 ILCS 5/18c-7504

(625 ILCS 5/18c-7504) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-7504)

Sec. 18c-7504.

Construction of Fences, Farm Crossings, and
Damages. (1) Fencing.
Every rail carrier shall, within 6 months after any
part of its line is open for use, erect and thereafter
maintain fences on both sides of its road or so much thereof
as is open for use, suitable and sufficient to prevent
cattle, horses, sheep, hogs or other livestock from getting
on such railroad, provided that the other 3 sides of
the property are enclosed, except at the crossings of public
roads and highways, and within such portion of cities and
incorporated towns and villages as are or may be hereafter
laid out and platted into lots and blocks, with gates at the
farm crossings of such railroad, which farm crossings shall
be constructed by such rail carrier when and where the same
may become necessary, for the use of the proprietors of the
lands adjoining such railroad; and when such fences are not
made as aforesaid, or when such fences are not kept in good
repair, such rail carrier shall be liable for all damages
which may be done by the agents, engines or cars of such rail
carrier, to such cattle, horses, sheep, hogs or other
livestock thereof, and reasonable attorney's fees in any
court wherein suit is brought for such damages, or to which
the same may be appealed; but where such fences have been
duly made and kept in good repair, such rail carrier shall
not be liable for any such damages, unless negligently or
willfully done.

(2) Enforcement.
If the rail carrier, after being notified, shall refuse to
build or repair such fence, gates, or farm crossings, in
accordance with the provisions of this, Section, the owner or
occupant of the land required to be fenced shall be entitled
to an order from any court of competent jurisdiction
requiring the rail carrier to build or repair such fence,
gates, or farm crossing and may recover interest at one
percent per month of the cost of such building or
repair, from the time the crossing or repair was requested,
as damage in the circuit court, together with costs to be
taxed by the court.

(Source: P.A. 84-796.)