(70 ILCS 200/185-15)

Sec. 185-15. Rights and powers. The Authority shall have the following rights and powers:

(a) To acquire, purchase, own, construct, lease as lessee or in any other way acquire, improve, extend, repair, reconstruct, regulate, operate, equip and maintain fair expositions grounds, convention or exhibition centers, civic auditoriums, and office and county buildings, including sites and parking areas and facilities therefor located within the metropolitan area.

(b) To enter into contracts treating in any manner with the objects and purposes of this Article.

(c) To plan for such grounds, centers and auditoriums and to plan, sponsor, hold, arrange, and finance fairs, industrial, cultural, educational, trade and scientific exhibits, shows and events and to use or allow the use of such grounds, centers and auditoriums for the holding of fairs, exhibits, shows and events whether conducted by the Authority or some other person or governmental agency.

(d) To exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire sites for such grounds, centers, buildings and auditoriums, and parking areas and facilities in the manner provided for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act.

(e) To fix and collect just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory charges and rents for the use of such parking areas and facilities, grounds, centers, buildings and auditoriums and admission charges to fairs, shows, exhibits and events sponsored or held by the Authority. The charges collected may be made available to defray the reasonable expenses of the Authority and to pay the principal of and the interest on any bonds issued by the Authority.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)