(610 ILCS 130/1) (from Ch. 131 1/4, par. 13)

Sec. 1. That no person or persons, corporation or corporations, shall construct or maintain any elevated railroad or any elevated way or conveyor to be operated by steam power, or animal power or any other motive power, along any street or alley in any incorporated city or village, except by the permission of the city council or board of trustees of such city or village, granted upon a petition of the owners of the lands representing more than one-half of the frontage of the street or alley, or of so much thereof as is sought to be used for such elevated railroad or elevated way or conveyor; and the city council, or board of trustees, shall have no power to grant permission to use any street or alley, or part thereof, for any of the purposes aforesaid, except upon such petition of landowners as is herein provided for.

(Source: Laws 1883, p. 126.)