2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 70 - SPECIAL DISTRICTS › 70 ILCS 1855/ - Southwest Regional Port District Act.

(70 ILCS 1855/1) (from Ch. 19, par. 451)
Sec. 1. 
		
		This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Southwest Regional
Port District Act".
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2) (from Ch. 19, par. 452)
Sec. 2. 
		
		When used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the
terms set out in Sections 2.1 through 2.21 shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in those Sections.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.1) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.1)
Sec. 2.1. 
		
		"District" or "Port District" means the Southwest Regional Port
District created by this Act.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.2) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.2)
Sec. 2.2. 
		
		"Terminal" means a public place, station or depot for receiving
and delivering baggage, mail, freight or express matter and for any
combination of such purposes, in connection with the transportation of
persons and property on water or land or in the air.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.3) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.3)
Sec. 2.3. 
		
		"Terminal facilities" means all land, buildings, structures,
improvements, equipment and appliances useful in the operation of public
warehouse, storage and transportation facilities and industrial,
manufacturing or commercial activities for the accommodation of or in
connection with commerce by water or land or in the air or useful as an
aid, or constituting an advantage or convenience to, the safe landing,
taking off and navigation of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation
or maintenance of a public airport; except that nothing in this definition
contained shall be interpreted as granting authority to the District to
acquire, purchase, create, erect or construct a bridge across any waterway
which serves as a boundary between the State of Illinois and any other
state.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.4) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.4)
Sec. 2.4. 
		
		"Port facilities" means all public structures, except terminal
facilities as defined herein, that are in, over, under or adjacent to
navigable waters and are necessary for or incident to the furtherance of
water commerce and includes the widening and deepening of slips, harbors
and navigable waters.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.5) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.5)
Sec. 2.5. 
		
		"Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented,
used or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the air.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.6) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.6)
Sec. 2.6. 
		
		"Airport" means any locality, either land or water, which is used
or designed for the landing and taking off of aircraft, or for the location
of runways, landing fields, airdromes, hangars, buildings, structures,
airport roadways and other facilities.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.7) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.7)
Sec. 2.7. 
		
		"Airport hazard" means any structure, or object of natural growth,
located on or in the vicinity of an airport, or any use of land near an
airport which is hazardous to the use of such airport for the landing and
take-off of aircraft.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.8) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.8)
Sec. 2.8. 
		
		"Approach" means any path, course or zone defined by an ordinance
of the District or by other lawful regulation, on the ground or in the air,
or both, for the use of aircraft in landing and taking off from an airport
located within the District.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.9) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.9)
Sec. 2.9. 
		
		"Commercial aircraft" means any aircraft other than public
aircraft engaged in the business of transporting persons or property.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.10) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.10)
Sec. 2.10. 
		
		"Private aircraft" means any aircraft other than public and
commercial aircraft.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.11) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.11)
Sec. 2.11. 
		
		"Public aircraft" means an aircraft used exclusively in the
governmental service of the United States, or of any state or of any public
agency, including military and naval aircraft.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.12) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.12)
Sec. 2.12. 
		
		"Public airport" means an airport owned by a Port District, an
airport authority or other public agency which is used or is intended for
use by public, commercial and private aircraft and by persons owning,
managing, operating or desiring to use, inspect or repair any such aircraft
or to use any such airport for aeronautical purposes.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.13) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.13)
Sec. 2.13. 
		
		"Public interest" means the protection, furtherance and
advancement of the general welfare and of public health and safety and
public necessity and convenience in respect to aeronautics.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.14) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.14)
Sec. 2.14. 
		
		"Navigable waters" means any public waters which are or can be
made usable for water commerce.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.15) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.15)
Sec. 2.15. 
		
		"Governmental agency" means the federal, State and any local
governmental body, and any agency or instrumentality, corporate or
otherwise, thereof.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.16) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.16)
Sec. 2.16. 
		
		"Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation,
both domestic and foreign, company, association or joint stock association;
and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative
thereof.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.17) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.17)
Sec. 2.17. 
		
		"General obligation bond" means any bond issued by the District
any part of the principal or interest of which bond is to be paid by
taxation.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.18) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.18)
Sec. 2.18. 
		
		"Revenue bond" means any bond issued by the District the
principal and interest of which bond is payable solely from revenues or
income derived from ports, harbors, airports, airfields, terminals, port
facilities, terminal facilities, aquariums, museums, planetariums,
climatrons or any other building or facility of the District.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2800.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.19) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.19)
Sec. 2.19. 
		"Board" means the Southwest Port District Board.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.20) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.20)
Sec. 2.20. 
		"Governor" means the Governor of the State of Illinois.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/2.21) (from Ch. 19, par. 452.21)
Sec. 2.21. 
		
		"City" means any city, village, incorporated town or civil
township located within the District.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/3) (from Ch. 19, par. 453)
Sec. 3. 
		
		There is created a political subdivision, body politic and
municipal corporation by the name of Southwest Regional Port District which
shall embrace, include and consist of all of the incorporated and
unincorporated territory of the following civil townships in St. Clair
County: Canteen, Centreville, East St. Louis, Stites, and Sugar Loaf.
Territory may be annexed to the District in the manner hereinafter
provided in this Act.
The District may sue and be sued in its corporate name, but execution
shall not in any case issue against any of the property or assets of the
District. The District may adopt a common seal and change the same at its
pleasure.
All property of every kind belonging to the District shall be exempt
from taxation, provided that taxes may be assessed and levied upon a lessee
of the District by reason of the value of a leasehold estate separate and
apart from the fee and upon such improvements as are constructed and owned
by others than the District. All property of the District shall be
construed as constituting public property owned by a municipal corporation
and used exclusively for public purposes within the provisions of Section
15-155 of the Property Tax Code.
(Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)
(70 ILCS 1855/3.1) (from Ch. 19, par. 453.1)
Sec. 3.1. 
		
		It is declared that the main purpose of this Act is to promote
industrial, commercial, transportation and recreational activities and
facilities, thereby reducing the evils attendant upon unemployment and
thereby enhancing the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of
this State.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2938.)
(70 ILCS 1855/4) (from Ch. 19, par. 454)
Sec. 4. 
		The Port District has the following rights and powers:
1.  To issue permits: for the construction of all wharves, piers,
dolphins, booms, weirs, breakwaters, bulkheads, jetties, bridges or other
structures of any kind, over, under, in, or within 40 feet of any navigable
waters within the Port District; for the deposit of rock, earth, sand or
other material, or any matter of any kind or description in said waters;
except that nothing contained in this paragraph 1 shall be construed so
that it will be deemed necessary to obtain a permit from the District for
the erection, operation or maintenance of any bridge crossing a waterway
which serves as a boundary between the State of Illinois and any other
State, when said erection, operation or maintenance is performed by any
city within the District.
2.  To prevent or remove obstructions in navigable waters, including the
removal of wrecks;
3. To locate and establish dock lines and shore or harbor lines;
4. To regulate the anchorage, moorage and speed of water borne vessel
and to establish and enforce regulations for the operation of bridges,
except nothing contained in this paragraph 4 shall be construed to give the
District authority to regulate the operation of any bridge crossing a
waterway which serves as a boundary between the State of Illinois and any
other State, when such operation is performed or to be performed by any
city within the District;
5. To acquire, own, construct, lease, operate and maintain terminals,
terminal facilities and port facilities, and to fix and collect just,
reasonable, and nondiscriminatory charges for the use of such facilities.
The charges so collected shall be used to defray the reasonable expenses of
the Port District and to pay the principal of and interest on any revenue
bonds issued by the District;
6. Subject to any applicable condition imposed by Section 4.1 of this
Act, to locate, establish and maintain a public airport, public airports
and public airport facilities within its corporate limits or within or upon
any body of water adjacent thereto, and to construct, develop, expand,
extend and improve any such airport or airport facility;
7. To operate, maintain, manage, lease, sublease, and to make and enter
into contracts for the use, operation or management of, and to provide
rules and regulations for, the operation, management or use of, any public
airport or public airport facility;
8. To fix, charge and collect reasonable rentals, tolls, fees, and
charges for the use of any public airport, or any part thereof, or any
public airport facility;
9. To establish, maintain, extend and improve roadways and approaches by
land, water or air to any such airport and to contract or otherwise
provide, by condemnation if necessary, for the removal of any airport
hazard or the removal or relocation of all private structures, railways,
mains, pipes, conduits, wires, poles, and all other facilities and
equipment which may interfere with the location, expansion, development, or
improvement of airports or with the safe approach thereto or takeoff
therefrom by aircraft, and to pay the cost of removal or relocation; and,
subject to the "Airport Zoning Act", approved July 17, 1945, as amended,
to adopt, administer and enforce airport zoning regulations for territory
which is within its corporate limits or which extends not more than two
miles beyond its corporate limits;
10. To restrict the height of any object of natural growth or structure
or structures within the vicinity of any airport or within the lines of an
approach to any airport and, when necessary, for the reduction in the
height of any such existing object or structure, to enter into an agreement
for such reduction or to accomplish same by condemnation;
11. To agree with the state or federal governments or with any public
agency in respect to the removal and relocation of any object of natural
growth, airport hazard or any structure or building within the vicinity of
any airport or within an approach and which is owned or within the control
of such government or agency and to pay all or an agreed portion of the
cost of such removal or relocation;
12. For the prevention of accidents, for the furtherance and protection
of public health, safety and convenience in respect to aeronautics, for the
protection of property and persons within the District from any hazard or
nuisance resulting from the flight of aircraft, for the prevention of
interference between, or collision of, aircraft while in flight or upon the
ground, for the prevention or abatement of nuisances in the air or upon the
ground or for the extension or increase in the usefulness or safety of any
public airport or public airport facility owned by the District, the
District may regulate and restrict the flight of aircraft while within or
above the incorporated territory of the District;
13. To police its physical property only and all waterways and to
exercise police powers in respect thereto or in respect to the enforcement
of any rule or regulation provided by the ordinances of the District and to
employ and commission police officers and other qualified persons to
enforce the same. The use of any such public airport or public airport
facility of the District shall be subject to the reasonable regulation and
control of the District and upon such reasonable terms and conditions as
shall be established by its Board. A regulatory ordinance of the District
adopted under any provisions of this Section may provide for a suspension
or revocation of any rights or privileges within the control of the
District for a violation of any such regulatory ordinance. Nothing in this
Section or in other provisions of this Act shall be construed to authorize
the Board to establish or enforce any regulation or rule in respect to
aviation, or the operation or maintenance of any airport facility within
its jurisdiction, which is in conflict with any federal or state law or
regulation applicable to the same subject matter;
14. To enter into agreements with the corporate authorities or governing
body of any other municipal corporation or any political subdivision of
this State to pay the reasonable expense of services furnished by such
municipal corporation or political subdivision for or on account of income
producing properties of the District;
15. To enter into contracts dealing in any manner with the objects and
purposes of this Act;
16. To acquire, own, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of interests in
and to real property and improvements situate thereon and in personal
property necessary to fulfill the purposes of the District;
17. To designate the fiscal year for the District;
18. To engage in any activity or operation which is incidental to and in
furtherance of efficient operation to accomplish the District's primary
purpose.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/4.2) (from Ch. 19, par. 454.2)
Sec. 4.2. 
		
		The District may acquire, erect, construct, maintain and
operate aquariums, museums, planetariums, climatrons and other edifices
for the collection and display of objects pertaining to natural history
or the arts and sciences; and may permit the directors or trustees of
any corporation or society organized for the erection, construction,
maintenance and operation of an aquarium, museum, planetarium,
climatron or other such edifice to perform such erection, construction,
maintenance and operation on or within any property now or hereafter
owned by or under the control or supervision of the District. The
District may contract with any such directors or trustees relative to
such acquisition, erection, construction, maintenance and operation. The
District may charge, or may authorize such directors or trustees to
charge, an admission fee, the proceeds of which shall be devoted
exclusively to such erection, construction, maintenance and operation.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2936.)
(70 ILCS 1855/4.3) (from Ch. 19, par. 454.3)
Sec. 4.3. 
		
		The District shall have the rights and powers enumerated in
Division 74 of Article 11 of the "Illinois Municipal Code", approved May
29, 1961, as heretofore and hereafter amended, in the same manner and
form as though the District were a "municipality" as defined in Section
11-74-2 thereof.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2937.)
(70 ILCS 1855/4.4) (from Ch. 19, par. 454.4)
Sec. 4.4. 
		
		The District may acquire, erect, construct, reconstruct, improve,
maintain and operate one or more, or a combination or combinations of,
industrial buildings, office buildings, buildings to be used as a factory,
mill shops, processing plants, packaging plants, assembly plants,
fabricating plants, and buildings to be used as warehouses and other
storage facilities.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2936.)
(70 ILCS 1855/4.5) (from Ch. 19, par. 454.5)
Sec. 4.5. 
		
		Purchases made pursuant to this Act shall be made in
compliance with the "Local Government Prompt Payment Act", approved by the
Eighty-fourth General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 84-731.)
(70 ILCS 1855/5) (from Ch. 19, par. 455)
Sec. 5. 
The District has power to acquire and accept by purchase, lease,
gift, grant or otherwise any property and rights useful for its purposes
and to provide for the development of channels, ports, harbors, airports,
airfields, terminals, port facilities, terminal facilities, aquariums,
museums, planetariums, climatrons and any other building or facility which
the District has the power to acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend or
improve, to serve the needs of commerce within the District. The District
may acquire real or personal property or any rights therein in the manner,
as near as may be, as is provided for the exercise of
the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act,
as amended; except that no rights or property of any kind or
character now or hereafter owned, leased, controlled or operated and used
by, or necessary for the actual operations of any common carrier engaged in
interstate commerce, or of any other public utility subject to the
jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission, shall be taken or
appropriated by the District without first obtaining the approval of the
Illinois Commerce Commission; and except that no property owned by any city
within the District shall be taken or appropriated without first obtaining
the consent of the governing body of such city.
Also, the District may lease to others for any period of time, not to
exceed 99 years, upon such terms as its Board may determine, any of its
real property, rights of way or privileges, or any interest therein, or any
part thereof, for industrial, manufacturing, commercial or harbor purposes,
which is in the opinion of the Port District Board no longer required for
its primary purposes in the development of port and harbor facilities for
the use of public transportation, or which may not be immediately needed
for such purposes, but where such leases will in the opinion of the Port
District Board aid and promote such purposes, and in conjunction with such
leases, the District may grant rights of way and privileges across the
property of the District, which rights of way and privileges may be
assignable and irrevocable during the term of any such lease and may
include the right to enter upon the property of the District to do such
things as may be necessary for the enjoyment of such leases, rights of way
and privileges, and such leases may contain such conditions and retain such
interest therein as may be deemed for the best interest of the District by
such Board.
Also, the District shall have the right to grant easements and permits
for the use of any such real property, rights of way or privileges which in
the opinion of the Board will not interfere with the use thereof by the
District for its primary purposes and such easements and permits may
contain such conditions and retain such interest therein as may be deemed
for the best interest of the District by the Board.
With respect to any and all leases, easements, rights of way, privileges
and permits made or granted by the Board, the Board may agree upon and
collect the rentals, charges and fees that may be deemed for the best
interest of the District. Such rentals, charges and fees shall be used to
defray the reasonable expenses of the District and to pay the principal of
and interest on any revenue bonds issued by the District.
(Source: P.A. 96-328, eff. 8-11-09.)
(70 ILCS 1855/5.05)
Sec. 5.05. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.
(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)
(70 ILCS 1855/5.1) (from Ch. 19, par. 455.1)
Sec. 5.1. 
		
		The District is authorized and empowered to establish,
organize, own, acquire, participate in, operate, sell and transfer Export
Trading Companies, whether as shareholder, partner, or co-venturer, alone
or in cooperation with federal, state or local governmental authorities,
federal, state or national banking associations, or any other public or
private corporation or person or persons.  The term "Export Trading Companies"
means a person, partnership, association, public or private corporation
or similar organization, whether operated for profit or not for profit, which
is organized and operated principally for purposes of exporting goods or
services produced in the United States, importing goods or services produced
in foreign countries, conducting third-country trading or facilitating such
trade by providing one or more services in support of such trade.  Such
Export Trading Companies and all of the property thereof, wholly or partly
owned, directly or indirectly, by the District, shall have the same privileges
and immunities as accorded to the District; and Export Trading Companies
may borrow money or obtain financial assistance from private lenders or
federal and state governmental authorities or issue general obligation and
revenue bonds with the same kinds of security, and in accordance with the
same procedures, restrictions and privileges applicable when the District
obtains financial assistance or issues bonds for any of its other authorized
purposes.  Such Export Trading Companies are authorized, if necessary or
desirable, to apply for certification under Title II or Title III of the Export
Trading Company Act of 1982.
(Source: P.A. 84-993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/6) (from Ch. 19, par. 456)
Sec. 6. 
		
		The District has power to apply for and accept grants, loans, or
appropriations from the Federal Government or any agency or instrumentality
thereof to be used for any of the purposes of the District and to enter
into any agreements with the Federal Government in relation to such grants,
loans or appropriations.
The District may petition any federal, state, municipal, or local
authority, administrative, judicial and legislative, having jurisdiction in
the premises, for the adoption and execution of any physical improvement,
change in method or system of handling freight, warehousing, docking,
lightering, and transfer of freight, which in the opinion of the District
is designated to improve or better the handling of commerce in and through
the Port District or improve terminal or transportation facilities therein.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/7) (from Ch. 19, par. 457)
Sec. 7. 
		
		The District has power to procure and enter into contracts for any
type of insurance or indemnity against loss or damage to property from any
cause, including loss of use and occupancy, against death or injury of any
person, against employers' liability, against any act of any member,
officer, or employee of the District in the performance of the duties of
his office or employment or any other insurable risk.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/8) (from Ch. 19, par. 458)
Sec. 8. 
		
		The District has the continuing power to borrow money and issue
either general obligation bonds as hereinafter provided or revenue bonds as
hereinafter provided for the purpose of acquiring, constructing,
reconstructing, extending, improving or operating the terminals, terminal
facilities, airfields, airports, port facilities, aquariums, museums,
planetariums, climatrons and other buildings or facilities which the
District has the power to acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend or
improve, and for acquiring any property and equipment useful for such
construction, reconstruction, extension, improvement or operation, and for
acquiring necessary cash working funds.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 783.)
(70 ILCS 1855/9) (from Ch. 19, par. 459)
Sec. 9. 
		
		The District may pursuant to ordinance adopted by the Board and
without submitting the question to referendum from time to time issue and
dispose of its interest bearing revenue bonds and may also in the same
manner from time to time issue and dispose of its interest bearing revenue
bonds to refund any revenue bonds at maturity or pursuant to redemption
provisions or at any time before maturity with the consent of the holders
thereof.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/10) (from Ch. 19, par. 460)
Sec. 10. 
		
		If the Board desires to issue general obligation bonds it shall
adopt an ordinance specifying the amount of bonds to be issued, the purpose
for which they will be issued, the maximum rate of interest they will bear
which shall not be more than that permitted in "An Act to authorize public
corporations to issue bonds, other evidences of indebtedness and tax anticipation
warrants subject to interest rate limitations set forth therein", approved
May 26, 1970, as now or hereafter amended.  Such interest may be paid semiannually.
The ordinance shall also specify
the date of maturity which shall not be more than 20 years after the date
of issuance. This ordinance shall not be effective until it has been submitted
to referendum of, and approved by, a majority of the legal voters of the
District.  The Board shall certify its ordinance and the proposition to
the proper election officials, who shall submit the proposition to the voters
at an election in accordance with the general election law.   If
a majority of the votes cast upon the proposition is in favor of the issuance
of such general obligation bonds the District shall thereafter be authorized
to issue and, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 13 of this Act, to sell the bonds specified in
such ordinance and to adopt an ordinance levying an annual tax against
all of the taxable property within the District sufficient to pay the
maturing principal and interest of such bonds and to file a certified
copy of both such ordinances in the office of the county clerk of St.
Clair County. Thereafter the county clerk shall annually extend taxes
against all the taxable property within the District at the rate
specified in such ordinance levying such taxes. The aggregate amount of
principal of general obligation bonds issued under the provisions of
this section of this Act shall not exceed 2.5% of the assessed valuation
of all taxable property in the District.
The proposition shall be in substantially the following
form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shall general obligation bonds
in the amount of $.... be issued             YES
by the Southwest Regional Port
District for the purpose of ....,
maturing in not more than .... years,    --------------------
bearing not more than ....% interest,
and a tax levied to pay the principal        NO
and interest thereof?
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Source: P.A. 82-902.)
(70 ILCS 1855/11) (from Ch. 19, par. 461)
Sec. 11. 
		
		All revenue bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues or
income to be derived from the terminals, terminal facilities, airfields,
airports, port facilities, aquariums, museums, planetariums, climatrons
and any other building or facility which the District has the power to acquire,
construct, reconstruct, extend or improve, or any part thereof. The bonds
may bear such date or dates and may mature at such time or times not exceeding
40 years from their respective dates, all as may be provided in the ordinance
authorizing their issuance. All general obligation bonds and revenue bonds
may bear interest at such rate or rates as permitted in "An Act
to authorize public corporations to issue bonds, other evidences of indebtedness
and tax anticipation warrants subject to interest rate limitations set forth
therein", approved May 26, 1970, as now or hereafter amended. Such
interest may be paid semiannually. All bonds, whether revenue or general
obligations, may be in such form, may carry such registration privileges,
may be executed in such
manner, may be payable at such place or places, may be made subject to
redemption in such manner and upon such terms, with or without premium as
is stated on the face thereof, may be authenticated in such manner and may
contain such terms and covenants, all as may be provided in the ordinance
authorizing issuance.
The holder or holders of any bonds or interest coupons appertaining
thereto issued by the District may bring civil actions to compel the
performance and observance by the District or any of its officers, agents
or employees of any contract or covenant made by the District with the
holders of such bonds or interest coupons and to compel the District and
any of its officers, agents or employees to perform any duties required to
be performed for the benefit of the holders of any such bonds or interest
coupons by the provision in the ordinance authorizing their issuance, and
to enjoin the District and any of its officers, agents or employees from
taking any action in conflict with any such contract or covenant, including
the establishment of charges, fees and rates for the use of facilities as
hereinafter provided.
Notwithstanding the form and tenor of any bond, whether revenue or
general obligation, and in the absence of any express recital on the face
thereof that it is nonnegotiable, all such bonds shall be negotiable
instruments. Pending the preparation and execution of any such bonds,
temporary bonds may be issued with or without interest coupons as may be
provided by ordinance.
(Source: P.A. 82-902.)
(70 ILCS 1855/12) (from Ch. 19, par. 462)
Sec. 12. 
		
		All revenue bonds shall be issued and sold by the Board in such
manner as the Board shall determine. However, if any bonds are issued to
bear interest at the maximum rate of interest allowed by Section 11, the
bonds shall be sold for not less than par and accrued interest. The selling
price of bonds bearing interest at a rate less than the maximum allowable
interest rate per annum shall be such that the interest cost to the
District of the money received from the bond sale shall not exceed the
maximum annual interest rate allowed by Section 11, computed to absolute
maturity of such bonds according to standard tables of bond values.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/13) (from Ch. 19, par. 463)
Sec. 13. 
		
		All general obligation bonds issued by the District shall be sold
by the District upon sealed bids to the highest and best responsible bidder
who specifies the lowest net interest cost for such bonds. The Board shall
publish at least once, in a newspaper published in and having general
circulation in the District, a notice of the time, date and place when and
where sealed bids for the purchase of such bonds will be received and
publicly opened, read and tabulated, which such date shall not be less than
10 days after the date of such publication. Any such bonds shall be sold
for not less than par plus accrued interest to the date of delivery.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/14) (from Ch. 19, par. 464)
Sec. 14. 
		
		Upon the issue of any revenue bonds as herein provided the Board
shall fix and establish rates, charges and fees for the use of facilities
acquired, constructed, reconstructed, extended or improved with the
proceeds derived from the sale of such revenue bonds sufficient at all
times with other revenues of the District, if any, to pay; (a) the cost of
maintaining, repairing, regulating and operating such facilities; and (b)
the bonds and interest thereon as they become due, and all sinking fund
requirements and other requirements provided by the ordinance authorizing
the issuance of the bonds or as provided by any trust agreement executed to
secure payment thereof.
To secure the payment of any or all revenue bonds and for the purpose of
setting forth the covenants and undertaking of the District in connection
with the issuance of revenue bonds and the issuance of any additional
revenue bonds payable from such revenue income to be derived from the
terminals, terminal facilities, airports, airfields, port facilities,
aquariums, museums, planetariums, climatrons and other buildings, or
facilities which the District has the power to acquire, construct,
reconstruct, extend or improve, the District may execute and deliver a
trust agreement or agreements except that no lien upon any physical
property of the District shall be created thereby.  A remedy for any breach
or default of the terms of any such trust agreement by the District may be
by mandamus proceedings in the circuit court to compel
performance and compliance therewith, but the trust agreement may prescribe
by whom or on whose behalf such action may be instituted.
(Source: P.A. 79-1361.)
(70 ILCS 1855/15) (from Ch. 19, par. 465)
Sec. 15. 
		
		Under no circumstances shall any bonds issued by the District or
any other obligation of the District be or become an indebtedness or
obligation of the State of Illinois or of any other political subdivision
of or municipality within the State.
No revenue bond shall be or become in indebtedness of the District
within the purview of any constitutional limitation or provision, and it
shall be plainly stated on the face of each revenue bond that it does not
constitute such an indebtedness but is payable solely from the revenues or
income derived from terminals, terminal facilities, airports, airfields and
port facilities.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/16) (from Ch. 19, par. 466)
Sec. 16. 
		
		The Board may, after referendum approval, levy a tax for
corporate purposes of the District annually at the rate approved by
referendum, but which rate shall not exceed .05% of the value of all
taxable property within the Port District as equalized or assessed by
the Department of Revenue.
If the Board desires to levy such a tax it shall order that the question
be submitted at an election to be held within the District.  The Board shall
certify its order and the question to the proper election officials, who
shall submit the question to the voters at an election in accordance with
the general election law.  The
Board shall cause the result of the referendum to be entered upon the records
of the Port
District. If a majority of the vote is in favor of the proposition, the
Board may annually thereafter levy a tax for corporate purposes at a
rate not to exceed that approved by referendum but in no event to exceed
.05% of the value of all taxable property within the District as
equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue.
The question shall be substantially in the following form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shall the Southwest Regional
Port District levy a tax for             YES
corporate purposes annually at
a rate not to exceed ....% of       -------------------------
the value of taxable property
as equalized or assessed by the
Department of Revenue?                   NO
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Source: P.A. 81-1489; 81-1509.)
(70 ILCS 1855/17) (from Ch. 19, par. 467)
Sec. 17. 
		
		It is unlawful to make any fill or deposit of rock, earth, sand,
or other material, or any refuse matter of any kind or description, or
build or commence the building of any wharf, pier, dolphin, boom, weir,
breakwater, bulkhead, jetty, bridge, or other structure over, under, or
within 40 feet of any navigable waters within the Port District without
first submitting the plans, profiles, and specifications therefor, and such
other data and information as may be required, to the Port District and
receiving a permit therefor; and any person, corporation, company, city or
municipality or other agency, which shall do any of the things above
prohibited, without securing a permit therefor as above provided, shall be
guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; provided, however, that no such permit
shall be required in the case of any project for which a permit shall have
been secured from a proper governmental agency prior to the creation of the
Port District nor shall any such permit be required in the case of any
project to be undertaken by any city, village or incorporated town in the
District, or any combination thereof, for which a permit is required from a
governmental agency other than the District before the municipality can
proceed with such project. And in such event, such municipalities, or any
of them, shall give at least 10 days' notice to the District of the
application for a permit for any such project from a governmental agency
other than the District so that the District may be present and represent
its position relative to such application before such other governmental
agency. Any structure, fill or deposit erected or made in any of the public
bodies of water within the Port District, in violation of the provisions of
this Section, is a purpresture and may be abated as such at the expense of
the person, corporation, company, municipality or other agency responsible
therefor, or if in the discretion of the Port District, it is decided that
such structure, fill or deposit may remain, the Port District may fix such
rule, regulation, requirement, restrictions, or rentals or require and
compel such changes, modifications and repairs as shall be necessary to
protect the interest of the Port District.
(Source: P.A. 77-2337.)
(70 ILCS 1855/18) (from Ch. 19, par. 468)
Sec. 18. 
		
		The governing and administrative body of the District shall be a
Board consisting of 7 members, to be known as Southwest Regional Port
District Board. All members of the Board shall be bona fide residents in
the District. No more than 2 of the members of the Board shall be residents
of the same civil township which is included in the District. The members
of the Board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for
actual expenses incurred by them in the performance of duties prescribed by
the Board. However, any member of the Board who is appointed as Secretary
or Treasurer may receive compensation for his services as such officer.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/19) (from Ch. 19, par. 469)
Sec. 19. 
		
		Except as otherwise provided in this Act, it shall be unlawful for
any member, officer, employee or other appointee of the Board and District
or for the husband, wife or minor child thereof to have, acquire, obtain or
hold any contract, work or business of the District, whether for
stationery, printing, paper, services, material or supplies, or any private
financial interest in the sale or lease of property to or from the
District. It shall also be unlawful for any firm, partnership, association
or corporation from which any such person shall be entitled, by contract,
stock ownership or otherwise, to receive more than 7 1/2% of the total
distributable net income thereof to have, acquire, obtain or hold any such
contract, work or business or any such private financial interest. It shall
also be unlawful for any firm, partnership, association or corporation from
which any such person, together with his or her wife or husband or minor
child or children, or any of them, shall by contract, stock ownership or
otherwise be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the
total distributable income thereof to have, acquire, obtain or hold any
such contract, work or business or any such private financial interest. Any
person, firm, partnership, association or corporation which violates the
provisions of this Section shall forfeit any and all sums paid or to be
paid to him or it or her by the District under any such contract, sale or
lease and also, if found guilty of such violation, shall be guilty of a
business offense and shall be fined not to exceed $2,500.
(Source: P.A. 77-2337.)
(70 ILCS 1855/20) (from Ch. 19, par. 470)
Sec. 20. 
		
		The Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, shall appoint
the members of the Board and fill any and all vacancies. If the Senate is
in recess when such appointment is made, the Governor shall make a
temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate. All initial
appointments shall be made within 60 days after this Act takes effect. Of
the members initially appointed by the Governor, 3 shall be appointed for
initial terms expiring July 1, 1962, 2 for initial terms expiring July 1,
1963 and 2 for initial terms expiring July 1, 1964. At the expiration of
the term of any member, his successor shall be appointed by the Governor in
like manner and with like regard to place of residence of the appointee, as
in the case of appointments for the initial terms.
After the expiration of initial terms, each successor shall hold office
for the term of 3 years beginning the first day of July of the year in
which the term of office commences. In the case of a vacancy during the
term of office of any member, the Governor shall make an appointment for
the remainder of the term vacant and until a successor is appointed and
qualified.
No more than 4 of the members shall be affiliated with the same
political party at the time of appointment.
The Governor shall certify his appointments to the Secretary of State.
Within 30 days after certification of his appointment, and before entering
upon the duties of his office, each member of the Board shall take and
subscribe the constitutional oath of office and file it in the office of
the Secretary of State.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/21) (from Ch. 19, par. 471)
Sec. 21. 
		
		Members of the Board shall hold office until their
respective successors have been appointed and qualified. Any member may
resign from his office to take effect when his successor has been
appointed and has qualified. The Governor may remove any member of the
Board in case of incompetency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
He shall give such member a copy of the charges against him and an opportunity
to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his own
defense upon not less than 10 days' notice. In case of failure to
qualify within the time required, or of abandonment of his office, or in
case of death, conviction of a felony or removal from office, the office
of such member shall become vacant. Each vacancy shall be filled for the
unexpired term by appointment in like manner as in case of expiration of
the term of a member of the Board.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/22) (from Ch. 19, par. 472)
Sec. 22. 
		
		As soon as possible after the appointment of the initial members,
the Board shall organize for the transaction of business, select a chairman
and a temporary secretary from its own number, and adopt bylaws and
regulations to govern its proceedings. The initial chairman and successors
shall be elected by the Board from time to time for the term of his office
as a member of the Board.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/23) (from Ch. 19, par. 473)
Sec. 23. 
		
		Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least once in each
calendar month, the time and place of such meetings to be fixed by the
Board. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by any 3 members
of the Board by giving notice thereof in writing, stating the time, place
and purpose of the meeting. Such notice shall be served by special delivery
mail deposited in the mails at least 48 hours before such meeting. Four
members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. All action of the Board shall be by ordinance or resolution and,
except as otherwise provided in this Act, the affirmative vote of at least
4 members shall be necessary for the adoption of any ordinance or
resolution. The chairman shall be entitled to vote on any and all matters
coming before the Board. All ordinances, resolutions and all proceedings of
the District and all documents and records in its possession shall be
public records and open to public inspection, except such documents and
records as are kept or prepared by the Board for use in negotiations, legal
actions or proceedings to which the District is a party.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/24) (from Ch. 19, par. 474)
Sec. 24. 
		
		The Board shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who need not
be members of the Board, to hold office during the pleasure of the Board,
and fix their duties and compensation. The secretary and treasurer shall be
residents of the District. Before entering upon the duties of their
respective offices they shall take and subscribe the constitutional oath of
office, and the treasurer shall execute a bond with corporate sureties to
be approved by the Board. The bond shall be payable to the District in
whatever penal sum may be directed by the Board conditioned upon the
faithful performance of the duties of the office and the payment of all
money received by him according to law and the orders of the Board. The
Board may, at any time, require a new bond from the treasurer in such penal
sum as may then be determined by the Board. The obligation of the sureties
shall not extend to any loss sustained by the insolvency, failure or
closing of any savings and loan association or national or State bank
wherein the treasurer has deposited
funds if the bank or savings and loan association has been approved
by the Board as a depositary for these
funds. The oaths of office and the treasurer's bond shall be filed in the
principal office of the District.
(Source: P.A. 83-541.)
(70 ILCS 1855/25) (from Ch. 19, par. 475)
Sec. 25. 
		
		All funds deposited by the treasurer in any bank or savings
and loan association shall be placed
in the name of the District and shall be withdrawn or paid out only by
check or draft upon the bank or savings and loan association, signed
by the treasurer and countersigned by
the chairman of the Board. Subject to prior approval of such designations
by a majority of the Board, the chairman may designate any other Board
member or any officer of the District to affix the signature of the
chairman and the treasurer may designate any other officer of the District
to affix the signature of the treasurer to any check or draft for payment
of salaries or wages and for payment of any other obligation of not more
than $2,500.
No bank or savings and loan association shall receive public funds as
permitted by this Section, unless it has complied with the requirements
established pursuant to Section 6 of "An Act relating to certain investments of public
funds by public agencies", approved July 23, 1943, as now or hereafter amended.
(Source: P.A. 83-541.)
(70 ILCS 1855/26) (from Ch. 19, par. 476)
Sec. 26. 
		
		In case any officer whose signature appears upon any check or
draft issued pursuant to this Act, ceases to hold his office before the
delivery thereof to the payee, his signature nevertheless shall be valid
and sufficient for all purposes with the same effect as if he had remained
in office until delivery thereof.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/27) (from Ch. 19, par. 477)
Sec. 27. 
		
		The Board may appoint, for a term of not to exceed 5 years,
a general manager who shall be a
person of recognized ability and business experience and who shall be eligible
for reappointment to any successive term or terms.  The general manager shall have
management of the properties and business of the District and the
employees thereof subject to the general control of the Board, shall
direct the enforcement of all ordinances, resolutions, rules and
regulations of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed from time to time by the Board.  The general manager may be removed
from office by the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the then appointed,
qualified and acting members of the Board for incompetency, neglect of duty
or malfeasance in office.  Prior to any such removal, the general manager
shall be given a copy of the charges against him or her and an opportunity
to be heard before the Board in person or by counsel in his or her own defense
upon not less than 10 days notice.  The Board may appoint a
general attorney and a chief engineer, and shall provide for the
appointment of other officers, attorneys, engineers, consultants, agents
and employees as may be necessary.  It shall define their duties and may
require bonds of such of them as the Board may designate.  The general
manager, general attorney, chief engineer and all other officers
provided for pursuant to this Section shall be exempt from taking and
subscribing any oath of office and shall not be members of the Board.
The compensation of the general manager, general attorney, chief
engineer, and all other officers, attorneys, consultants, agents and
employees shall be fixed by the Board.  All such persons shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 19 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 81-215.)
(70 ILCS 1855/28) (from Ch. 19, par. 478)
Sec. 28. 
		
		The Board has power to pass all ordinances and make all rules and
regulations proper or necessary, and to carry into effect the powers
granted to the District, with such fines or penalties as may be deemed
proper. All fines and penalties shall be imposed by ordinance, which shall
be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the area embraced by
the District. No such ordinance shall take effect until 10 days after its
publication.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/29) (from Ch. 19, par. 479)
Sec. 29. 
		
		Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Board shall
cause to be prepared by a certified public accountant a complete and
detailed report and financial statement of the operations and assets and
liabilities of the Port District. A reasonably sufficient number of copies
of such report shall be prepared for distribution to persons interested,
upon request, and a copy thereof shall be filed with the Governor and with
the county clerk and the presiding officer of the county board of St. Clair
County. A copy of such report shall be addressed to and mailed to the
corporate authorities of each city within the area of the District.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/31) (from Ch. 19, par. 481)
Sec. 31. 
		
		The Board may investigate conditions in which it has an interest
within the area of the District, the enforcement of its ordinances, rules
and regulations, and the action, conduct and efficiency of all officers,
agents and employees of the District. In the conduct of such investigations
the Board may hold public hearings on its own motion, and shall do so on
complaint of any municipality within the District. Each member
of the Board shall have power to administer oaths, and the secretary, by
order of the Board, shall issue subpoenas to secure the attendance and
testimony of witnesses, and the production of books and papers relevant to
such investigations and to any hearing before the Board or any member
thereof.
Any circuit court of this State, upon application
of the Board, or any member thereof, may in its discretion compel
the attendance of witnesses, the production of books and papers, and giving of
testimony before the Board or before any member thereof or any officers'
committee appointed by the Board, by attachment for contempt or otherwise
in the same manner as the production of evidence may be compelled before
the court.
(Source: P.A. 83-334.)
(70 ILCS 1855/32) (from Ch. 19, par. 482)
Sec. 32. 
		
		All final administrative decisions of the Board hereunder shall be
subject to judicial review pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative
Review Law, and all amendments and
modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant thereto. The term
"administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)
(70 ILCS 1855/33) (from Ch. 19, par. 483)
Sec. 33. 
		
		In the conduct of any investigation authorized by Section 31 the
Port District shall, at its expense, provide a stenographer to take down
all testimony and shall preserve a record of such proceedings. The notice
of hearing, complaint, and all other documents in the nature of pleadings
and written motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of testimony
and the orders or decision of the Board constitutes the record of such
proceedings.
The Port District is not required to certify any record or file any
answer or otherwise appear in any proceeding for judicial review of an
administrative decision unless the party asking for review deposits with
the clerk of the court the sum of 75 cents per page of the record
representing the costs of such certification. Failure to make such deposit
is ground for dismissal of the action.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/34) (from Ch. 19, par. 484)
Sec. 34. 
		
		If any provision of this Act is held invalid such provision
shall be deemed to be excised from this Act and the invalidity thereof
shall not affect any of the other provisions of this Act. If the
application of any provision of this Act to any person or circumstance
is held invalid it shall not affect the application to such persons or
circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid.  The provisions
of this Act shall not be considered as impairing, altering, modifying,
repealing or superseding any of the jurisdiction or powers of the Illinois
Commerce Commission or of the Department of Natural Resources under the
Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act.
Nothing in this Act or done under its authority shall apply
to, restrict, limit or interfere with the use of any terminal facility
or port facility owned or operated by any private person for the storage
or handling or transfer of any commodity moving in interstate commerce
or the use of the land and facilities of a common carrier or other
public utility and the space above such land and facilities in the
business of such common carrier or other public utility, without
approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission and without the payment of
just compensation to any such common carrier or other public utility for
damages resulting from any such restriction, limitation or interference.
(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
(70 ILCS 1855/35) (from Ch. 19, par. 485)
Sec. 35. 
		
		The provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code, approved May 29,
1961, as subsequently amended, or the provisions of "An Act in relation
to airport authorities", approved April 4, 1945, as amended, or the
provisions of "An Act to empower counties to acquire, own, construct,
manage, maintain, operate, and lease airports and landing fields, to levy
taxes and issue bonds therefor, and to exercise the power of eminent
domain", approved March 14, 1941, as amended, or the provisions of "An
Act to authorize counties having less than 500,000 population to acquire,
construct, improve, repair, maintain and operate certain airports, to
charge for the use thereof and repealing a certain act herein named",
approved July 17, 1945, as amended, or the provisions of "An Act in
relation to the establishment, acquisition, maintenance and operation of
airports and landing fields by counties of less than 500,000 population,
and by such counties jointly with certain taxing districts located within
or partly within such counties, and to provide methods for financing
thereof", approved July 22, 1943, as amended, shall not be effective
within the area of the District insofar as the provisions of said Acts
conflict with the provisions of this Act or grant substantially the same
powers to any municipal corporation or political subdivision as are granted
to the District by this Act.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/36) (from Ch. 19, par. 486)
Sec. 36. 
		
		Territory which is contiguous to the District and which is not
included within any other port district may be annexed to and become a part
of the District in the manner provided in Section 37 or 38 whichever may
be applicable.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2993.)
(70 ILCS 1855/37) (from Ch. 19, par. 487)
Sec. 37. 
		
		At least 5% of the legal voters resident within the limits
of such proposed addition to the District shall petition the circuit
court for St. Clair county to cause the question to be submitted to the
legal voters of such proposed additional territory, whether such
proposed additional territory shall become a part of the District and
assume a proportionate share of the general obligation bonded
indebtedness, if any, of the District. Such petition shall be addressed
to the court and shall contain a definite description of the boundaries
of the territory to be embraced in the proposed addition.
Upon filing any such petition with the clerk of the court, the court shall
fix a time and place for a hearing upon the subject of the petition.
Notice shall be given by the court, or by the circuit clerk or sheriff,
at the order and direction of the court, of the time and place of the hearing
upon the subject of the petition at least 20 days prior thereto by at least
one publication thereof in any newspaper having general circulation within
the area proposed to be annexed, and by mailing a copy of such notice to
the mayor or president of the board of trustees of all cities, villages
and incorporated towns within the District.
At the hearing all persons residing in or owning property situated in
the area proposed to be annexed to the District may appear and be heard
touching upon the sufficiency of the petition. If the court finds that
the petition does not comply with the requirements, of the law, the court
shall dismiss the petition; but if the court finds that the petition
is sufficient the court shall certify the proposition to the proper election
officials, who shall submit the proposition to the voters at an election
in accordance with the general election law. In addition to the requirements
of the general election law, the notice of such referendum
shall specify the purpose of such referendum with a description of the area
proposed to be annexed to the District.
The proposition shall be in substantially
the following form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
For joining the Southwest
Regional Port District and
assuming a proportionate share
of general obligation bonded
indebtedness, if any.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Against Joining the Southwest
Regional Port District and
assuming a proportionate share
of general obligation bonded
indebtedness, if any.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The court shall cause a statement of the result of such election to be
filed in the records of the court.
If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of
annexation to the District are in favor of becoming a part of such
District, the court shall then enter an order stating that such
additional territory shall thenceforth be an integral part of the
Southwest Regional Port District and subject to all of the benefits of
service and responsibilities of the District. The circuit clerk shall
transmit a certified copy of the order to the circuit clerk of any other
county in which any of the territory affected is situated.
(Source: P.A. 83-343.)
(70 ILCS 1855/38) (from Ch. 19, par. 488)
Sec. 38. 
		
		If there is territory contiguous to the District which has no
legal voters residing therein, a petition to annex such territory, signed
by all the owners of record of such territory may be filed with the circuit
court for St. Clair county. A time and place for a hearing on the subject
of the petition shall be fixed and notice thereof shall be given in the
manner provided in Section 37. At such hearing any owner of land in the
territory proposed to be annexed, the District and any resident of the
District may appear and be heard touching on the sufficiency of the
petition. If the court finds that the petition satisfies the requirements
of this Section it shall enter an order stating that thenceforth such
territory shall be an integral part of the Southwest Regional Port District
and subject to all of the benefits of service and responsibilities,
including the assumption of a proportionate share of the general obligation
bonded indebtedness, if any, of the District. The circuit clerk shall
transmit a certified copy of the order of the court to the circuit clerk of
any other county in which the annexed territory is situated.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3699.)