70 ILCS 605/4-27
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 70 - SPECIAL DISTRICTS|70 ILCS 605/ - Illinois Drainage Code.|Article IV - Commissioners And Other Officers--Selection, Qualifications, Powers And Duties

 (from Ch. 42, par. 4-27)Sec. 4-27.     Contracts, Agreements and Cooperation.     The commissioners, subject to the approval of the  court, shall have the power and authority:(a) To levy and collect assessments as provided in this Act, when  such assessments become necessary to avail the district of financial  assistance from any appropriation made by the Government of the United  States, the State of Illinois or any of their agencies.(b) To negotiate for and obtain a loan from the State or Federal  Government, or any officer or agency of either, upon such terms and  conditions as the commissioners deem to be in the best interest of the  district, for the purpose of paying or redeeming outstanding bonds and  other obligations of the district, for the purpose of paying the cost or  a portion of the cost of any work or improvements beneficial to the  district, or for any other lawful purpose.(c) To convey, by deed or mortgage, the pumping house site or other  real estate owned by the district to the State or Federal Government, or  any officer or agency of either, for the purpose of securing a loan of  funds to be used for constructing, reconstructing, enlarging or  otherwise improving the pumps, pumping station or other property of the  district, provided, however, that the title to any property so conveyed  shall be reconveyed to the district when the loan has been paid.(d) To receive or to accept the transfer of drainage and levee  works, or either, which may have been constructed or which are proposed  to be constructed by the Federal Government or the State of Illinois or  any of their agencies, and to provide, by contract with the State or  Federal Government, or any officer or agency of either, that the  district shall furnish, without cost to such government or agency, all  lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the construction of  such works, which contract may also provide that the drainage district  shall hold and save the State or Federal Government, or any officer or  agency of either, free from damages due to such construction, and that,  after completion, the district shall operate and maintain all such works  in accordance with such regulations or requirements as may be prescribed  by the State or Federal Government, or any officer or agency of either,  or by any act of Congress, or of the General Assembly of Illinois,  authorizing the construction of such works. If the works constructed or  to be constructed by either of these governments or their agencies  benefit 2 or more districts, the cost of complying with the requirements  of such governments or their agencies and the liabilities to be assumed  shall be apportioned between or among the districts benefited as  provided in Article XI.(e) To convey, grant, transfer or sell to the State or Federal  Government, or to any agency of either, any real or personal property  owned by the district, upon such terms as may be agreed upon or as  security for a loan of money from the State or Federal Government, or  any agency of either, for the construction, extension or improvement of  any works or levees.(f) To lease from the State or Federal Government, or any agency of  either, any real or personal property for the purposes of the district,  for any period of time not exceeding 50 years, and with or without an  option to buy such property, and with or without a clause to the effect  that title to such leased property shall vest in the district at the  expiration of the lease. Payment for such leased property shall be made  in accordance with the terms of the lease, and such lease may be entered  into without a prior appropriation or levy for expenses incurred under  it. Indebtedness under such a lease shall be considered as a current  expense and not as an indebtedness of the district.(g) To accept any grant of money or other aid from the State or  Federal Government, or any agency of either, that may be granted or  allotted to aid in the acquisition of any rights-of-way or other  property needed by any such district, upon such terms as may be agreed.(h) To effect settlements with the State or Federal Government, or  any agency of either, through mutual agreement, for any damages incurred  as a result of the change of water level in the district caused by flood  control, navigation, irrigation or water power projects and works  constructed by the State or Federal Government, or the agencies of  either. Funds from such a settlement shall be used by the district for  the purpose of constructing and maintaining such remedial works as may  be necessary to prevent, abate or reduce the damages resulting from the  construction and maintenance of such projects and works by such  governments or their agencies, or such funds without prior court approval,  may be invested in interest bearing obligations of the State or Federal  Government or insured deposit accounts and the interest received  thereon used to pay the increased  cost of annual maintenance, including the operation of a pumping plant  or plants, if any, or for such other purposes as the court may direct.(i) To cooperate and enter into agreements with other districts, proper  agencies of the United States and State of Illinois, municipal corporations  and units of local government and school districts  of this State and associations and persons for the formulation of plans  and for the construction, operation and maintenance of any and all  improvements for flood control, drainage, conservation, regulation,  development, utilization and disposal of water and water resources or  other purposes of this Act. Such agreements may assign to the several  cooperating districts and agencies particular projects or portions of  projects for the purposes herein stated and may provide for joint  understandings for said purposes and for contributions between  districts, districts and agencies or any combination thereof, to execute  any work agreed upon with any other of the above mentioned agencies in  the State of Illinois to carry out the provisions of this Act. The  Districts shall have power and authority, upon order of court, to  provide for payment of funds collected for any purpose under this  subsection into a special account designated by the cooperating  districts and agencies; such funds to be expended in accordance with the  understanding and agreement among the parties for the project or work  covered by such agreement.Whenever the commissioners of any district desire to exercise any of  the rights, incur any of the obligations or do any of the things  provided in this Section, they shall petition the court for an order  authorizing the same. A hearing shall be had on such petition as  provided in Section 4-20, and notice of such hearing shall be given in  the form, time and manner as provided by Sections 4-21 and 4-22. The  proceedings at the hearing and the findings and order to be entered by  the court shall be as provided in Sections 4-23 and 4-24, insofar as  the same are applicable.    (Source: P.A. 86-297.)