(70 ILCS 605/4-27) (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.)