IL Land Surveyor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Priority of boundary evidence

Courts generally rank evidence as natural monuments, artificial monuments, courses and distances, then area, resolving conflicts in that order unless the writing clearly shows otherwise.

Adverse possession period

Illinois requires 20 years of continuous, hostile, actual, open, notorious, and exclusive possession under claim of right before title vests by adverse possession.

Boundary by acquiescence

A doctrine recognizing a long-recognized line as the true boundary when adjoining owners treat it as such, often with improvements, without needing the full statutory period.

Riparian thread of stream

On non-navigable streams, riparian ownership typically extends to the thread or center of the stream, subject to the deed and state law.

Accretion versus avulsion

Accretion is gradual and imperceptible deposit that adds to the riparian owner; avulsion is a sudden, perceptible change that does not shift the boundary.

Easement appurtenant

An easement that benefits a dominant parcel and burdens a servient parcel, running with the land when the parcels are transferred.

Types of notice

Record notice from recorded instruments, inquiry notice from visible conditions, and actual notice from direct knowledge all can bind a subsequent purchaser.

Monument versus corner

A monument is the physical object marking a location; a corner is the legally established point, which may be reestablished by evidence if the monument is destroyed.

Illinois recording statute

Illinois uses a notice-type recording statute; an unrecorded conveyance is void as to subsequent purchasers and creditors without notice under 765 ILCS 5/30.

Plat Act review

Subdivision plats in Illinois are reviewed under the Plat Act (765 ILCS 205/) by the municipality or county having jurisdiction over the land.

PLS Act administration

The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act, 225 ILCS 330/, is administered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Closure ratio

Closure ratio equals total traverse or boundary length divided by linear misclosure; report it and document any adjustment rather than silently forcing closure.

Aliquot part description

A PLSS aliquot description divides a section by repeated halving: half-section 320 acres, quarter-section 160 acres, quarter-quarter 40 acres.

Monument controls distance

When a deed calls for a monument and a distance that disagree, the monument generally controls unless shown to be misplaced or in error.

Illinois principal meridians

The Third Principal Meridian governs most of Illinois; the Fourth Principal Meridian affects a western portion of the state.

Seal and signature

Survey plats and descriptions must be signed and sealed by the licensee; electronic seals are permitted only under IDFPR rules for digital signatures.

Illinois State Plane zones

Illinois has two NAD83 State Plane zones, Illinois East (1201) and Illinois West (1202), both using Lambert Conformal Conic projections.

Combined factor formula

Combined factor equals grid scale factor multiplied by elevation factor, where elevation factor is approximately R/(R+h) using Earth radius and ellipsoid height.

Geodetic versus grid azimuth

Grid azimuth differs from geodetic azimuth by the convergence angle, which increases with distance from the central meridian and with latitude.

Ellipsoid and geoid height

Orthometric height H relates to ellipsoid height h by H ≈ h − N, where N is the geoid separation at that location.

Traverse linear misclosure

Linear misclosure is the square root of the sum of squared departures plus squared latitudes; precision is total length divided by that misclosure.

Leveling misclosure adjustment

Differential leveling misclosure is distributed in proportion to sight or setup length, not equally per setup, unless setup distances are equal.

Antenna height error

GNSS vectors reference antenna phase centers, so an error in measured antenna height propagates directly into derived coordinates and elevations.

Map scale conversion

At 1:24,000, one inch equals 2,000 feet; ground distance equals map distance multiplied by the scale denominator.

NAD83 realization

NAD83 (2011) and NATRF2022 are different realizations; mixing epochs or realizations introduces datum shift errors in coordinates.

Continuing education

Illinois PLS licensees must complete continuing education each renewal cycle; verify current hour and subject requirements with IDFPR before renewal.

Sealing unperformed work

A licensee may seal only work prepared by the licensee or under direct supervision, and may practice only within areas of competence.

Confidentiality duty

Client information may not be disclosed without consent except as required by law, subpoena, or to prevent a crime or fraud.

Conflict of interest

A surveyor must disclose conflicts in writing and may not accept compensation from two parties for the same service without disclosure.

Scope of licensure

A professional land surveyor may not practice architecture or engineering beyond surveying scope; joint practice requires appropriate licensure for each discipline.

Record retention

Survey records and field notes should be retained per IDFPR rules and client contracts, since they support and defend boundary decisions.

Restricted title use

Use of the title Professional Land Surveyor or the abbreviation PLS is restricted to individuals licensed under the Illinois PLS Act.