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.)