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Founded in 1946, the Illinois Oil & Gas Association (IOGA) is a nonprofit member organization representing oil and gas producers in Illinois, as well as allied service and supply companies.
IOGA exists to promote the development of oil and natural gas resources in Illinois through nonpartisan, common-sense solutions to challenges facing the oil and gas industry. IOGA represents the interests of the Illinois oil and gas industry at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Our active presence before the Illinois General Assembly, U.S. Congress, and state/federal regulatory agencies means that the concerns of the small businesses that make up the Illinois independent oil and gas industry are foremost in the minds of policymakers and government officials. Our cooperative partnerships with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), Council for a Secure America (CSA), Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), National Stripper Well Association (NSWA), and others means the concerns of Illinois oil and gas producers are heard in Springfield and Washington.
2026 Legislative & Regulatory Objectives
IOGA is here to help!
The core focus of IOGA’s work in 2026 is on protecting the Illinois oil and gas industry from increased costs while also defending industry gains made in recent years.
The IOGA legislative agenda for 2026 is one in which we will work to minimize legislative assaults on the independent oil and gas industry and optimize legislative targets of opportunity. In preparation, IOGA prepared a state and federal legislative/regulatory agenda. The agenda lays out what’s important to IOGA members and where we stand on energy, tax, and regulatory issues.
In addition, IOGA developed 2026 IOGA policy priorities and legislative/regulatory frameworks including:
- IOGA 2026 Federal & State Legislative/Regulatory/Communication Agenda
- IOGA 2026 Federal Legislative/Regulatory Framework
- IOGA 2026 Energy Policy Priorities
IOGA proudly works with leaders in the Illinois General Assembly, U.S. Congress, and state and federal regulatory agencies. IOGA’s efforts in government affairs is unparalleled.
Though we face many familiar legislative and regulatory challenges in 2026, IOGA stands stronger and more united than ever to face these obstacles and seek meaningful opportunities to evolve and succeed. To be a member of IOGA is to be among the premier oil and gas companies in Illinois and across the nation.
As a professional advocate for the Illinois oil and gas industry, IOGA has used our significant advocacy experience and talent to form strong and productive non-partisan relationships with state and federal policymakers as well as state and federal regulatory agencies.
The bottom line is that unsound policies, regulations, and public perceptions threaten the profit and growth opportunities of every company in the oil and natural gas industry. Companies need the best and latest advocacy and public outreach efforts. That is what you get with IOGA.
For the oil and gas industry, the challenges never end. Let IOGA be your partner in success. We provide unmatched public policy advocacy and a powerful voice for you in state and federal government.
IOGA Government Relations – IOGA is the lead state/national advocate for the Illinois oil and gas industry. IOGA identifies and interprets public policies and regulations that are fundamental to our member’s success. Our quick analyses and evaluations of issues and concerns result in significant arbitrage value for IOGA members who benefit from our substantial first-mover advocacy advantages. We engage on state and federal regulatory issues and meet with key state and federal policymakers on policy issues. We continue to build relationships and work with allies at the state and federal level. Finally, we litigate when necessary.
Three major success drivers set IOGA apart from other oil and gas groups and make us the lead state and national advocate for the Illinois oil and natural gas industry: 1.) Intellectual Capital,; 2.) Volunteerism, and; 3.) Leadership.
IOGA 2026 State Legislative Strategy
The core focus of IOGA’s work in 2026 is on protecting the Illinois oil and gas industry from increased costs while also defending industry gains made in recent years.
Energy & Environment: IOGA supports efforts to promote market-driven solutions to reduce energy costs. IOGA supports a rational, data-driven, common-sense approach to energy policy that recognizes our best energy future can only be achieved through a best-of-the-above energy strategy. We will:
- Oppose any legislation designed to stop oil and gas production or measures that have very little environmental benefit but high associated costs. This includes restrictions on hydraulic fracturing, waste management, emissions, injection wells, or other measures designed to stop oil and gas production.
- Encourage the advancement of realistic energy policy that support a best-of-the-above approach to energy policy.
- Oppose mandates and policies that increase costs when sourcing energy.
- Oppose policies picking winners and losers among energy sources and technologies.
- Support efforts to limit or block federal regulations which overreach and impose undue expense and regulatory burden on the Illinois oil and gas industry.
- Encourage the least restrictive method of regulation that supports the goal of protecting the public without limiting business activity.
- Support policies that take measures to ensure America’s long-term energy affordability, security, leadership, and progress.
Taxation: IOGA supports policies which lower taxes, allowing businesses the crucial financial strength to grow, invest in employees, and increase profits. IOGA will urge the Illinois General Assembly to reduce cost of doing business, and will:
- Oppose any measures that target oil and gas industry for increased local or state tax base.
- Support measures that reduce government spending instead of increasing the cost of doing business through tax increase.
- Support tax policies that treat all energy sources equally, allowing market demand to drive efficiencies.
IOGA 2026 State Regulatory Strategy
State regulatory engagement is a core focus for IOGA as we work to protect operational certainty across the state. IOGA works to improve and maintain relationships with decision makers and key stakeholders across the state’s regulatory bodies.
Our regulatory efforts emphasize engagement at all levels with state regulatory agencies, including but not limited to, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and more.
In 2026, IOGA will continue to engage with the IDNR Oil & Gas Advisory Board and continue efforts on active regulatory initiatives and engage in future regulatory policy developments affecting Illinois.
IOGA 2026 Federal Legislative Strategy
IOGA is fully engaged in advocacy in Washington, D.C. and takes our issues directly to congressional policymakers. We consistently meet with key federal policymakers as well as key agency decision makers and have developed positive credible relationships with many key Democrat and Republican members of Congress. IOGA works with our allies at the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), Liaison Committee of Cooperating Oil & Gas Associations, Council for a Secure America (CSA), National Stripper Well Association (NSWA), and others to engage not only in advocacy, but also legal challenges.
IOGA’s non-partisan approach to addressing key federal tax and regulatory issues has gotten more important and will be critical going forward. We have developed significant positive relationships with key Democrat and Republican policymakers that make us one of the most effective voices in Washington for small onshore independent oil and gas producers.
IOGA continues to engage in addressing energy policy challenges with science and facts about oil and natural gas issues.
Energy Policy: IOGA opposes unscientific environmental mandates that restrict domestic energy production and raise costs on American families.
IOGA supports policies that expand domestic energy production and ensure energy reliability and affordability. IOGA also supports ending government subsidies in the energy market.
Taxation: IOGA works hard educating members of Congress about the importance of retaining percentage depletion and intangible drilling cost (IDC) tax provisions. Challenges to these critical tax provisions continually emerge. IOGA engages frequently with key Congressional policymakers providing a foundation and resource for credible information regarding these tax provisions. In 2026, IOGA will continue to oppose any federal legislation that eliminates/changes key oil and gas tax provisions.
Free Markets for All Energy: IOGA opposes picking winners and losers in energy, but supports letting the market work. IOGA supports federal energy and tax policies that treat all energy sources equally, allowing market demand to drive efficiencies. IOGA supports energy policy decisions based on science, the free market, and entrepreneurial spirit.
IOGA Federal Regulatory Strategy
IOGA federal regulatory efforts emphasize common sense regulatory policy. One of IOGA’s top federal regulatory priorities is providing EPA with the data, science, and information needed to shape methane emission regulations to recognize marginal well emission profiles. While IOGA continues to push for an exclusion for low-volume wells in EPA’s new methane rules, we also continue to advocate for modification of the EPA methane requirements for small oil and gas producers who produce marginal oil and gas wells.
In 2026, IOGA will work to improve and maintain relationships with decision makers and key stakeholders across federal regulatory bodies. IOGA will continue efforts on active regulatory initiatives and engage in future federal regulatory policy developments affecting Illinois.
IOGA Lobbyists
Edward Cross
IOGA Chief Executive Officer
Edward Cross serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Illinois Oil & Gas Association (IOGA) where he is responsible for public policy advocacy and interaction with external stakeholders including elected officials, regulators, government decision-makers, and community leaders. Cross began this position January 1, 2025. Previously, Cross served as President and COO of the Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association (KIOGA) since September 2003. During his 21-year tenure at KIOGA, Cross played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of independent oil and gas producers in Kansas and nationally.
Cross serves as a board member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), and a partnering society member of the Council for a Secure America (CSA). He is an active member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) where he serves as an advisory committee member.
Cross also serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Liaison Committee of Cooperating Oil and Gas Associations, a network of state and regional trade associations that represent the independent oil and gas exploration and production industry in the U.S. where he is responsible for coordinating the organization’s efforts.
In November 2023 Cross was named “2023 Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics. In November 2018, Cross was named a finalist for the 2018 Petroleum Economist magazine energy executive of the year award. In April 2015, Cross was recognized for his national leadership by being honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Stripper Well Association. In January 2013, Cross was named by Ingram’s, a Kansas City business magazine, as one of the “50 Kansans You Should Know”.
Cross has published 8 peer-reviewed papers on economic, environmental, and energy policy issues facing the independent oil and gas industry. He has authored nearly 100 editorials on energy issues and has made over 100 energy-related presentations to government agencies and professional groups including testifying before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senate Energy Committee, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, U.S. House Energy Committee, and the U.S. House Small Business Committee. He is a licensed professional geologist and registered lobbyist and holds a B.S. in Geology and an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University.
Dan Reitz is a political consultant and lobbyist in Illinois. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives for 14 years representing the 116th District. Dan served two terms as chairman of the Health Care Licensing committee. He also served as chairman of the Cities and Villages, Agriculture and Conservation and Revenue committees in the House. Dan served as Chairman of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for several terms.
Prior to his service in the House, he served a Commissioner in Randolph County for 11 years. During his service on the county board, he served on various boards and agencies including a term as President of the Illinois County Board Association.
Dan Reitz
IOGA Lobbyist
Nathan Reitz
IOGA Lobbyist
Nathan D. Reitz is a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 116th district. The 116th district, located in Southern Illinois, includes all or portions of Monroe, Perry, Randolph, and St. Clair counties. Nathan was appointed to office after Jerry Costello II was appointed by J. B. Pritzker to be director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Nathan Reitz, the son of former Representative Dan Reitz, previously served as an alderman in Steeleville, Illinois.
Legislators
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