State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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92_SB0400eng

 
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 1        AN ACT concerning railroad relocation.

 2        Be it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:

 4                             ARTICLE 1.

 5        Section 1-1.  Short title.  This Article may be cited  as
 6    the Southwest Suburban Railroad Redevelopment Authority Law.

 7        Section   1-5.  Legislative   declaration.   The  General
 8    Assembly declares that the welfare, health,  prosperity,  and
 9    moral  and general well-being of the people of the State are,
10    in large  measure,  dependent  upon  the  sound  and  orderly
11    development of municipal areas.  The Southwest Suburban area,
12    by reason of the location therein of vital roadways and their
13    use  for  vehicular  travel in access to the entire southwest
14    metropolitan  Chicago  area,  as  well  as   commercial   and
15    industrial growth patterns and accessibility to manufacturing
16    and   freight-related   facilities,   have  become  and  will
17    increasingly be the hub of transportation from all  parts  of
18    the  region  and  throughout the southwest metropolitan area.
19    Motor vehicle traffic, pedestrian travel, and the  safety  of
20    both  motorists  and pedestrians are substantially aggravated
21    by the location of railroad grade  crossings.   Additionally,
22    certain  development  opportunities  may exist in the project
23    area that  would  stabilize  and  enhance  the  tax  base  of
24    existing   communities,   maintain  and  revitalize  existing
25    commerce and industry,  and  promote  comprehensive  planning
26    within and between communities.  The presence of the railroad
27    grade  crossings  are detrimental to the orderly expansion of
28    industry and commerce and to  progress  of  the  region.   To
29    alleviate  this  situation  it  is  necessary to relocate the
30    railroad tracks, to  separate  the  grades  at  crossing,  to
31    acquire   property  for  relocation  or  submergence  of  the
 
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 1    railroad or highways, to create an agency to  facilitate  and
 2    accomplish  that relocation, and to direct infrastructure and
 3    development improvements in the Southwest Suburban area.

 4        Section 1-10.  Creation; duration.  There  is  created  a
 5    body politic and corporate, a unit of local government, named
 6    the  Southwest  Suburban  Railroad  Redevelopment  Authority,
 7    embracing  the  municipalities  of  Chicago  Ridge,  Burbank,
 8    Bedford  Park,  Worth,  Lansing,  Glenwood,  Chicago Heights,
 9    Robbins, Markham,  Tinley  Park,  Orland  Park,  Palos  Park,
10    Crestwood,  Dolton,  Riverdale,  Harvey,  Oak  Lawn, Dixmoor,
11    Bridgeview, Alsip, Oak  Forest,  Midlothian,  Palos  Heights,
12    Evergreen  Park,  Posen,  Blue  Island, and Merrionette Park.
13    The  Authority  shall  continue  in   existence   until   the
14    accomplishment  of  its objective, the relocation of railroad
15    tracks and roadways and the  grade  separation  of  railroads
16    from  the  right-of-way and at-grade crossing closures within
17    the  Southwest  Suburban  area,    or  until  the   Authority
18    officially  resolves  that  it  is impossible or economically
19    unfeasible to fulfill that objective.

20        Section 1-15.  Acquisition of  property.   The  Authority
21    has the power to acquire by gift, purchase, or legacy the fee
22    simple  title  to real property located within the boundaries
23    of  the  Authority,   including   temporary   and   permanent
24    easements,  as well as reversionary interests in the streets,
25    alleys,  and  other  public  places  and  personal  property,
26    required for its purposes, and title thereto shall  be  taken
27    in  the  corporate  name of the Authority.  Any such property
28    that is already devoted to a public use may  nevertheless  be
29    acquired,  provided  that no property belonging to the United
30    States of America or the State of Illinois  may  be  acquired
31    without  the  consent of that governmental unit.  No property
32    devoted to a public use belonging to a corporation subject to
 
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 1    the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission  may  be
 2    acquired  without  a  prior  finding by the Illinois Commerce
 3    Commission that the taking would not result in the imposition
 4    of an undue burden on  intrastate  commerce.   All  land  and
 5    appurtenances  thereto,  acquired  or owned by the Authority,
 6    are to be deemed acquired or owned for a public use or public
 7    purpose.

 8        Section  1-20.  Sale  or  exchange  of   property.    The
 9    Authority  has the power to sell, transfer, exchange, vacate,
10    or assign property acquired for the purposes of this  Article
11    as it deems appropriate.

12        Section   1-25.  Acceptance   of   grants,   loans,   and
13    appropriations.  The Authority has the power to apply for and
14    accept  grants,  loans, advances, and appropriations from the
15    federal government and from the  State  of  Illinois  or  any
16    agency or instrumentality thereof to be used for the purposes
17    of the Authority, and to enter into any agreement in relation
18    to  the  grants,  loans,  advances,  and appropriations.  The
19    Authority may also accept from the State, any  State  agency,
20    department,  or  commission,  any  county  or other political
21    subdivision, any municipal  corporation,  any  railroad,  any
22    school  authority,  or  jointly therefrom, grants of funds or
23    services for any  of  the  purposes  of  this  Article.   The
24    Authority  shall  be treated as a rail carrier subject to the
25    Illinois Commerce Commission's jurisdiction and  eligible  to
26    receive  money from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund or any
27    fund of the State or other source available for  purposes  of
28    promoting   safety   and   separation  of  at-grade  railroad
29    crossings or highway improvements.

30        Section 1-30.  Taxing powers. The Authority may not  levy
31    real property taxes for any purpose whatsoever.
 
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 1        Section  1-35.   Board;  compensation  and  expenses. The
 2    Authority shall be governed by a 28-member  board  consisting
 3    of  the  mayors or village presidents, or their designees, of
 4    Chicago Ridge, Dolton, Burbank, Bedford Park, Worth, Lansing,
 5    Glenwood, Chicago Heights,  Robbins,  Markham,  Tinley  Park,
 6    Orland  Park,  Palos  Park, Crestwood, Riverdale, Harvey, Oak
 7    Lawn, Dixmoor, Bridgeview,  Alsip,  Oak  Forest,  Midlothian,
 8    Palos  Heights,  Evergreen  Park,  Posen,  Blue  Island,  and
 9    Merrionette  Park  and  the  Chairman  of Commuter Rail Board
10    (created by the Regional Transportation Authority) or his  or
11    her  designee.  The office of Chair shall rotate annually and
12    shall represent  each  of  the  participating  municipalities
13    until  each  one  has  served  as  Chair, upon which time the
14    office  of  Chair  shall  rotate   back   to   the   original
15    representative member.  Each representative member shall take
16    and  subscribe  the constitutional oath of office and file it
17    with the Secretary of State. The members of the  board  shall
18    serve  without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual
19    expenses incurred  by  them  in  the  performance  of  duties
20    prescribed  by  the  Authority.   However,  any member of the
21    board who  serves  as  secretary  or  treasurer  may  receive
22    compensation  for  services  as  that  officer. Any of the 27
23    member municipalities may opt  out  of  the  Authority  by  a
24    majority   vote   of   the   corporate  authorities  of  that
25    municipality. That municipality shall notify the Authority in
26    writing of its vote to opt out of the Authority.

27        Section   1-40.  Organization;   chair   and    temporary
28    secretary.   As  soon as possible after the effective date of
29    this Act, the board shall organize  for  the  transaction  of
30    business,  select  a Chair and a temporary Secretary from its
31    own number, and adopt bylaws to govern its proceedings.   The
32    initial  Chair  and  successors shall be elected by the board
33    from time to time from among  members.   The  board  may  act
 
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 1    through  its  members  by  entering  into an agreement that a
 2    member act on the board's behalf, in which instance  the  act
 3    or performance directed shall be deemed to be exclusively of,
 4    for,  and  by  the  board  and  not the individual act of the
 5    member or its represented person.

 6        Section 1-45.  Meetings;  quorum;  resolutions.   Regular
 7    meetings  of  the board shall be held at least quarterly, the
 8    time and place of those meetings to be fixed  by  the  board.
 9    Special  meetings may be called by the Chair or by a majority
10    of the members of the  board  by  giving  notice  thereof  in
11    writing, stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
12    The  notice  shall  be  served  by  special  delivery  letter
13    deposited  in the mails at least 48 hours before the meeting.
14    A majority of the members of the  board  shall  constitute  a
15    quorum  for  the  transaction of business.  All action of the
16    board  shall  be  by  resolution  and,  except  as  otherwise
17    provided in this Article, the affirmative vote of at least  a
18    majority   shall   be  necessary  for  the  adoption  of  any
19    resolution.  The Chair shall be entitled to vote on  any  and
20    all matters coming before the board.

21        Section  1-50.  Secretary  and  Treasurer; oaths; bond of
22    Treasurer.   The  board  may  appoint  a  Secretary   and   a
23    Treasurer,  who  need  not  be  members of the board, to hold
24    office at the pleasure of the board, and fix their duties and
25    compensation.  Before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  their
26    respective  offices,  they  shall  take  and subscribe to the
27    constitutional  oath  of  office,  and  the  Treasurer  shall
28    execute a bond with corporate sureties to be approved by  the
29    board.   The  bond  shall  be  payable  to  the  Authority in
30    whatever penal sum may be directed by the  board  conditioned
31    upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office and
32    the  payment of all money received by the Treasurer according
 
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 1    to law and the orders of the board.  The board  may,  at  any
 2    time,  require  a new bond for the Treasurer in any penal sum
 3    that may then be determined by the board.

 4        Section   1-55.  Deposit   and   withdrawal   of   funds;
 5    signatures.  All funds deposited by the Treasurer in any bank
 6    or savings and loan association shall be placed in  the  name
 7    of  the  Authority and shall be withdrawn or paid out only by
 8    check or draft upon the bank or savings and loan association,
 9    signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Chair of the
10    board.  Subject to prior approval of the  designations  by  a
11    majority  of  the  board,  the  Chair may designate any other
12    member or any officer of the Authority to affix the signature
13    of the Treasurer to any Authority check or draft for  payment
14    of  salaries or wages and for payment of any other obligation
15    of not more than $2,500.
16        No bank or savings and  loan  association  shall  receive
17    public  funds  as  permitted  by  this  Section unless it has
18    complied with the requirements established under Section 6 of
19    the Public Funds Investment Act.

20        Section 1-60.  Delivery of check after executing  officer
21    ceases to hold office. If any officer whose signature appears
22    upon  any  check  or  draft  issued  pursuant to this Article
23    ceases to hold office before the delivery  of  the  check  or
24    draft  to  the  payee,  the  officer's signature nevertheless
25    shall be valid and sufficient for all purposes with the  same
26    effect  as  if  the  officer  had  remained  in  office until
27    delivery of the check or draft.

28        Section 1-65.  Rules.  The board may make all  rules  and
29    regulations  proper or necessary and to carry into effect the
30    powers granted to it.  The rules  and  regulations  shall  be
31    consistent with the guidelines, objectives, and project scope
 
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 1    as set out by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

 2        Section   1-70.  Fiscal   year.    The   Authority  shall
 3    designate its fiscal year.

 4        Section 1-75.  Reports and financial statements.   Within
 5    60  days  after  the  end of its fiscal year, the board shall
 6    cause to be prepared  by  a  certified  public  accountant  a
 7    complete  and  detailed report and financial statement of the
 8    operations and  assets  and  liabilities  as  relate  to  the
 9    projects   undertaken   by   the   Authority.   A  reasonably
10    sufficient number of copies of the report shall  be  prepared
11    for  distribution  to persons interested, upon request, and a
12    copy of the report shall be filed with the Illinois  Commerce
13    Commission and with the county clerk of Cook County.

14        Section  1-80.  Construction.   Nothing  in  this Article
15    shall be construed to confer upon the  Authority  the  right,
16    power,  or  duty  to  order or enforce the abandonment of any
17    present property of the railroads or the use in  substitution
18    therefor  of  any  property acquired for the railroads in the
19    absence of a contract duly executed by the railroads and  the
20    Authority  setting  forth the terms and conditions upon which
21    relocation of the right-of-way and physical facilities of the
22    railroads is to be accomplished.  No such contract  shall  be
23    or  become  enforceable  until the provisions of the contract
24    have been approved or authorized  by  the  Illinois  Commerce
25    Commission.

26        Section   1-85.  Existing   contracts,  obligations,  and
27    liabilities.  No contract, obligation, or liability  whatever
28    of  the  railroads  to pay any money into the State treasury,
29    nor any lien of the State upon or right to  tax  property  of
30    the  railroads,   shall  be  released,  suspended,  modified,
 
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 1    altered, remitted, or in any manner diminished or impaired by
 2    the  contract  with  the  Authority,  and  any  such  charter
 3    provisions  applicable to the property on which the railroads
 4    are now located shall be deemed in full force and effect with
 5    respect to any property on which the railroads are  relocated
 6    in  substitution  therefor pursuant to the provisions of this
 7    Article or any such  contract  with  the  Authority  pursuant
 8    thereto.    Notwithstanding,   upon  order  of  the  Illinois
 9    Commerce Commission,  the  Authority  shall  succeed  to  and
10    assume the performance and actions of the represented persons
11    under  the  terms of the order and amending orders previously
12    entered relative to projects undertaken by the Authority  and
13    consistent with the objectives of the Authority.

14        Section  1-90.  Severability.  The provisions of this Act
15    are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

16                             ARTICLE 5.

17        Section 5-1.  Short title.  This Article may be cited  as
18    the Dixon Railroad Relocation Authority Law.

19        Section   5-5.  Legislative   declaration.   The  General
20    Assembly declares that the welfare, health,  prosperity,  and
21    moral  and general well-being of the people of the State are,
22    in large  measure,  dependent  upon  the  sound  and  orderly
23    development of municipal areas.  The City of Dixon has become
24    and  will  increasingly be the hub of transportation from all
25    parts  of  the  region.  Motor  vehicle  traffic,  pedestrian
26    travel, and the safety of both motorists and pedestrians  are
27    substantially  aggravated by the location of a  railroad spur
28    line running through the City of Dixon. The presence  of  the
29    railroad spur line in the City of Dixon is detrimental to the
30    orderly expansion of industry and commerce and to progress of
31    the  region.   To alleviate this situation it is necessary to
 
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 1    relocate the railroad, to acquire property for relocation  of
 2    the  railroad  or  highways,  and  to  create  an  agency  to
 3    facilitate and accomplish that relocation.

 4        Section  5-10.   Creation;  duration.  There is created a
 5    body politic and corporate and a  unit  of  local  government
 6    named  the Dixon Railroad Relocation Authority, embracing Lee
 7    County. The Authority shall continue in existence  until  the
 8    accomplishment  of  its  objective,  the  relocation  of  the
 9    railroad spur line running through the City of Dixon or until
10    the  Authority  officially  resolves that it is impossible or
11    economically unfeasible to fulfill that objective.

12        Section 5-15.  Acquisition of  property.   The  Authority
13    shall  have the power to acquire by gift, purchase, or legacy
14    the fee simple title to  real  property  located  within  the
15    boundaries   of   the   Authority,  including  temporary  and
16    permanent easements, as well as reversionary interests in the
17    streets,  alleys  and  other  public  places   and   personal
18    property,  required for its purposes, and title thereto shall
19    be taken in the corporate name of the  Authority.   Any  such
20    property  that  is  already  devoted  to  a  public  use  may
21    nevertheless be acquired, provided that no property belonging
22    to  the United States of America or the State of Illinois may
23    be acquired without the consent of  such  governmental  unit.
24    No   property   devoted  to  a  public  use  belonging  to  a
25    corporation subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Illinois
26    Commerce  Commission  may be acquired without a prior finding
27    by the Illinois Commerce Commission that the taking would not
28    result in the imposition of an undue  burden  on  instrastate
29    commerce.   All  land  and appurtenances thereto, acquired or
30    owned by the Authority, are to be deemed  acquired  or  owned
31    for a public use or public purpose.
 
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 1        Section   5-20.  Sale   or  exchange  of  property.   The
 2    Authority shall have the power to sell,  transfer,  exchange,
 3    vacate  or  assign property acquired for the purposes of this
 4    Act as it shall deem appropriate.

 5        Section   5-25.  Acceptance   of   grants,   loans,   and
 6    appropriations.  The Authority shall have the power to  apply
 7    for  and  accept  grants, loans, advances, and appropriations
 8    from the Federal Government and from the State of Illinois or
 9    any agency or instrumentality thereof  to  be  used  for  the
10    purposes of the Authority, and to enter into any agreement in
11    relation to such grants, loans, advances, and appropriations.
12    The  Authority  may  also  accept  from  the State, any State
13    agency,  department  or  commission,  any  county  or   other
14    political   subdivision,   any   municipal  corporation,  any
15    railroad, or any school authorities,  or  jointly  therefrom,
16    grants  of  funds or services for any of the purposes of this
17    Article.  The Authority shall be treated as  a  rail  carrier
18    subject  to  the  Illinois Commerce Commission's jurisdiction
19    and  eligible  to  receive  money  from  the  Grade  Crossing
20    Protection Fund or any fund of  the  State  or  other  source
21    available  for purposes of promoting safety and separation of
22    at-grade railroad crossings or highway improvements.

23        Section 5-30.  Borrowing money  and  issuance  of  bonds.
24    The  Authority  may  incur debt and borrow money from time to
25    time and, in evidence thereof, may issue and  sell  bonds  in
26    such amounts as the Authority may determine, to provide funds
27    for  carrying out the purposes of this Article and to pay all
28    costs and  expenses  incident  thereto,  and  to  refund  and
29    refinance,  from  time  to time, bonds so issued and sold, as
30    often as may be deemed to be advantageous by the Authority.

31        Section 5-35.  Taxing powers.  The  Authority  shall  not
 
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 1    have  the  power  to levy real property taxes for any purpose
 2    whatsoever.

 3        Section   5-40.    Board;   composition;   qualification;
 4    compensation and expenses.   The Authority shall be  governed
 5    by  a  board  consisting  of  5  members.  The members of the
 6    Authority  shall  serve  without  compensation,  but  may  be
 7    reimbursed for  actual  expenses  incurred  by  them  in  the
 8    performance  of duties prescribed by the Authority.  However,
 9    any member of  the  Authority  who  serves  as  secretary  or
10    treasurer  may  receive  compensation  for  services  as that
11    officer.

12        Section 5-45.  Appointments;  tenure;  oaths;  vacancies.
13    The  members  of  the  Authority  shall  be  appointed by the
14    Governor, who shall give notice of the member's selection  to
15    each  other  member within 10 days after selection and before
16    the member's entering upon the duties of  office.   Three  of
17    the members shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of
18    4  candidates provided by the mayor of the City of Dixon, and
19    2 of the members shall be appointed by the  Governor  from  a
20    list  of  3 candidates provided by the chairman of the county
21    board of Lee County. Each member of the Authority shall  take
22    and  subscribe  to the constitutional oath of office and file
23    it with the Secretary of  State.   If  a  vacancy  occurs  by
24    death, resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled
25    by  the Governor.  All appointments of members shall be for a
26    3-year  term.   Each  member  shall  continue  to  serve   an
27    additional  3-year  term  unless  that  member is replaced by
28    appointment within 60 days of the end of his or her term.

29        Section 5-50.  Removal  of  members.   The  Governor  may
30    remove  from  office any Authority member immediately in case
31    of incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance  of  office,
 
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 1    or  otherwise  upon  15  days  written  notice  to  the other
 2    members.  Absence from any 3 consecutive regular meetings  of
 3    the Authority shall be deemed neglect of duty.

 4        Section  5-55.  Organization;  chairperson  and temporary
 5    Secretary.  As soon as possible after the appointment of  the
 6    initial   members,  the  Authority  shall  organize  for  the
 7    transaction of business, select a chairperson and a temporary
 8    secretary from its own number, and adopt bylaws to govern its
 9    proceedings.  The initial chairperson and successors shall be
10    elected by the Authority from time to  time  from  among  the
11    members.   The  Authority  may  act  through  its  members by
12    entering  into  an  agreement  that  a  member  act  on   the
13    Authority's  behalf, in which instance the act or performance
14    directed shall be deemed to be exclusively of,  for,  and  by
15    the Authority and not the individual act of the member or its
16    represented person.

17        Section  5-60.  Meetings;  quorum;  resolutions.  Regular
18    meetings of the Authority shall be held at  least  quarterly,
19    the  time  and  place  of  those  meetings to be fixed by the
20    Authority.  Special meetings may be called by the chairperson
21    or by any 3 members of the Authority by giving notice thereof
22    in writing, stating the  time,  place,  and  purpose  of  the
23    meeting.   The  notice  shall  be  served by special delivery
24    letter deposited in the mail at least  48  hours  before  the
25    meeting.   A  majority  of the members of the Authority shall
26    constitute a quorum for the  transaction  of  business.   All
27    action of the Authority shall be by resolution and, except as
28    otherwise  provided  in this Article, the affirmative vote of
29    at least a majority shall be necessary for  the  adoption  of
30    any resolution.  The chairperson shall be entitled to vote on
31    any and all matters coming before the Authority.
 
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 1        Section  5-65.  Secretary  and  treasurer; oaths; bond of
 2    treasurer.  The Authority  may  appoint  a  secretary  and  a
 3    treasurer,  who need not be members of the Authority, to hold
 4    office during the pleasure of the Authority,  and  fix  their
 5    duties  and compensation.  Before entering upon the duties of
 6    their respective offices, they shall take  and  subscribe  to
 7    the  constitutional  oath  of office, and the treasurer shall
 8    execute a bond with corporate sureties to be approved by  the
 9    Authority.   The  bond  shall  be payable to the Authority in
10    whatever  penal  sum  may  be  directed  by   the   Authority
11    conditioned  upon  the  faithful performance of the duties of
12    the office and the payment  of  all  money  received  by  the
13    treasurer  according  to law and the orders of the Authority.
14    The Authority may, at any time, require a new  bond  for  the
15    treasurer  in such penal sum as may then be determined by the
16    Authority.

17        Section   5-70.  Deposit   and   withdrawal   of   funds;
18    signatures.  All funds deposited by the treasurer in any bank
19    or savings and loan association shall be placed in  the  name
20    of  the  Authority and shall be withdrawn or paid out only by
21    check or draft upon the bank or savings and loan association,
22    signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the  chairperson
23    of   the   Authority.   Subject  to  prior  approval  of  the
24    designations by a majority of the Authority, the  chairperson
25    may  designate  any  other  member  or  any  officer  of  the
26    Authority  to  affix  the  signature  of the treasurer to any
27    Authority check or draft for payment of salaries or wages and
28    for payment of any other obligation of not more than $2,500.
29        No bank or savings and  loan  association  shall  receive
30    public  funds  as  permitted  by  this  Section unless it has
31    complied with the requirements established under Section 6 of
32    the Public Funds Investment Act.
 
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 1        Section 5-75.  Delivery of check after executing  officer
 2    ceases to hold office. If any officer whose signature appears
 3    upon  any  check  or  draft  issued  pursuant to this Article
 4    ceases to hold office before the delivery  of  the  check  or
 5    draft  to  the  payee,  the  officer's signature nevertheless
 6    shall be valid and sufficient for all purposes with the  same
 7    effect  as  if  the  officer  had  remained  in  office until
 8    delivery of the check or draft.

 9        Section 5-80.  Rules.  The Authority may make  all  rules
10    proper  or  necessary to carry into effect the powers granted
11    to it.  The rules shall be consistent  with  the  guidelines,
12    objectives,  and  project  scope  as  set out by the Illinois
13    Commerce Commission.

14        Section  5-85.  Fiscal   year.    The   Authority   shall
15    designate its fiscal year.

16        Section  5-90.  Reports and financial statements.  Within
17    60 days after the end of its fiscal year, the Authority shall
18    cause to be prepared  by  a  certified  public  accountant  a
19    complete  and  detailed report and financial statement of the
20    operations and assets and liabilities as relate to the  Dixon
21    railroad  relocation project.  A reasonably sufficient number
22    of copies of the report shall be prepared for distribution to
23    persons interested, upon request, and a copy  of  the  report
24    shall be filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission and with
25    the county clerk of Lee County.

26        Section  5-95.  Construction.   Nothing  in  this Article
27    shall be construed to confer upon the  Authority  the  right,
28    power,  or  duty  to  order or enforce the abandonment of any
29    present property of the railroads or the use in  substitution
30    therefor  of  any  property acquired for the railroads in the
 
SB400 Engrossed             -15-               LRB9207500MWdv
 1    absence of a contract duly executed by the railroads and  the
 2    Authority  setting  forth the terms and conditions upon which
 3    relocation of the right of way and physical facilities of the
 4    railroads is to be accomplished.  No such contract  shall  be
 5    or  become  enforceable  until the provisions of the contract
 6    have been approved or authorized  by  the  Illinois  Commerce
 7    Commission.

 8        Section   5-100.  Existing  contracts,  obligations,  and
 9    liabilities.  No contract, obligation, or liability  whatever
10    of  the  railroads  to pay any money into the State treasury,
11    nor any lien of the State upon or right to  tax  property  of
12    the  railroads,   shall  be  released,  suspended,  modified,
13    altered, remitted, or in any manner diminished or impaired by
14    the  contract  with  the  Authority,  and  any  such  charter
15    provisions  applicable to the property on which the railroads
16    are now located shall be deemed in full force and effect with
17    respect to any property on which the railroads are  relocated
18    in  substitution  therefor pursuant to the provisions of this
19    Act or any such contract with the Authority pursuant thereto.
20    Notwithstanding,  upon  order  of   the   Illinois   Commerce
21    Commission,  the  Authority  shall  succeed to and assume the
22    performance and actions of the represented persons under  the
23    terms  of  the  order  and amending orders previously entered
24    relative  to  the  Dixon  railroad  relocation  project   and
25    consistent with the objectives of the Authority.

26        Section 5-105.  Severability.  The provisions of this Act
27    are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

28                             ARTICLE 10.

29        Section  10-5.  The  25th  Avenue Railroad Relocation and
30    Development Authority Act is amended by changing the title of
 
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 1    the Act and Sections 1, 5, 10, 40, 45, 60, and 90 as follows:

 2        (70 ILCS 1920/Act title)
 3        An Act  creating  the  West  Cook  25th  Avenue  Railroad
 4    Relocation and Redevelopment Authority.

 5        (70 ILCS 1920/1)
 6        Sec.  1.  Short title.  This Act may be cited as the West
 7    Cook  25th  Avenue  Railroad   Relocation   and   Development
 8    Authority Act.
 9    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

10        (70 ILCS 1920/5)
11        Sec.  5.  Legislative  declaration.  The General Assembly
12    declares that the welfare, health, prosperity, and moral  and
13    general  well  being of the people of the State are, in large
14    measure, dependent upon the sound and orderly development  of
15    municipal  areas.   The  Village  of Bellwood, the Village of
16    Maywood, and the Village of Melrose Park, by  reason  of  the
17    location therein of 25th Avenue and the First Avenue vicinity
18    between  Lake  Street  on the North, Oak Street on the South,
19    the Des Plaines River on the East, and Fifth  Avenue  on  the
20    West  and their its use for vehicular travel in access to the
21    entire   west   metropolitan    Chicago    area,    including
22    municipalities  in  2  counties,  as  well  as commercial and
23    industrial  growth  patterns  and  accessibility  to   O'Hare
24    International  Airport,  Midway  Airport,  manufacturing, and
25    freight related facilities, have become and will increasingly
26    be the hub of transportation from all parts of the region and
27    throughout  the  west  metropolitan  area.    Motor   vehicle
28    traffic,  pedestrian travel, and the safety of both motorists
29    and pedestrians are substantially aggravated by the  location
30    of  a major railroad right of way that divides the Village of
31    Bellwood and the  Village  of  Melrose  Park.   Additionally,
 
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 1    certain  development  opportunities  may exist in the project
 2    area that  would  stabilize  and  enhance  the  tax  base  of
 3    existing   communities,   maintain  and  revitalize  existing
 4    commerce and industry, create opportunities for  intersurface
 5    modal  transportation efficiencies, and promote comprehensive
 6    planning within and between communities.  The presence of the
 7    railroad right of way at the 25th Avenue  grade  crossing  is
 8    detrimental to the orderly expansion of industry and commerce
 9    and  to  progress of the region.  To alleviate this situation
10    it is necessary to relocate the railroad tracks and right  of
11    way  on  25th Avenue and First Avenue, to separate the grades
12    at crossings crossing, to acquire property for relocation  or
13    submergence  of the railroad or highways, to create an agency
14    to facilitate and accomplish that relocation, and  to  direct
15    infrastructure  and  development  improvements  in  the  25th
16    Avenue  vicinity between St. Charles Road and Lake Street and
17    the First Avenue vicinity between Lake Street on  the  North,
18    Oak  Street  on the South, the Des Plaines River on the East,
19    and Fifth Avenue on the West.
20        Additionally, certain development opportunities may exist
21    in the West Cook County region from Harlem Avenue on the East
22    to I-294 on the West and from Grand Avenue on  the  North  to
23    31st Street on the South that would stabilize and enhance the
24    tax  base  of  existing  communities, maintain and revitalize
25    existing commerce  and  industry,  create  opportunities  for
26    modal  transportation efficiencies, and promote comprehensive
27    planning within and between communities.
28    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

29        (70 ILCS 1920/10)
30        Sec. 10.  Creation; duration.  There is  created  a  body
31    politic  and corporate, a unit of local government, named the
32    West Cook 25th Avenue  Railroad  Relocation  and  Development
33    Authority,   embracing   that  portion  of  Proviso  Township
 
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 1    embracing that portion of the Village  of  Bellwood  and  the
 2    Village of Melrose Park from St. Charles Road on the South to
 3    Lake  Street  on  the North, and from the Indiana Harbor Belt
 4    Railroad on the West to 22nd Avenue on the East, Cook County,
 5    Illinois and the Village of Maywood, Cook  County,  Illinois.
 6    The   Authority   shall   continue  in  existence  until  the
 7    accomplishment  of  its  objective,  the  relocation  of  the
 8    railroad tracks and 25th  Avenue,  the  grade  separation  of
 9    railroads  from  the  right  of  way  and  at-grade  crossing
10    closures  within  the  Village of Bellwood and the Village of
11    Melrose Park, the grade  separation  of  railroads  from  the
12    right-of-way  and  at  grade  crossing  in  the  First Avenue
13    vicinity between Lake Street, Oak  Street,  the  Des  Plaines
14    River,   and   Fifth  Avenue,  and  the  establishment  of  a
15    transit-oriented intersurface modal development  facility  in
16    the  project area, or until the Authority officially resolves
17    that it is impossible or economically unfeasible  to  fulfill
18    that objective.
19    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

20        (70 ILCS 1920/40)
21        Sec. 40.  Board; composition; qualification; compensation
22    and  expenses.  The  Authority  shall  be governed by a board
23    consisting of 7 5 members.   The  members  of  the  Authority
24    shall  serve  without compensation, but may be reimbursed for
25    actual expenses incurred by them in the performance of duties
26    prescribed by the Authority.   However,  any  member  of  the
27    Authority  who  serves  as secretary or treasurer may receive
28    compensation for services as that officer.
29    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

30        (70 ILCS 1920/45)
31        Sec. 45.  Appointments; tenure;  oaths;  vacancies.   The
32    members  of the Authority shall be appointed by the Governor,
 
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 1    who shall give notice of the member's selection to each other
 2    member within 10 days after selection and before the member's
 3    entering upon the duties of office.  Two of the members shall
 4    be recommended to the Governor from a list  of  3  candidates
 5    provided by the village president of the Village of Bellwood,
 6    2  of the members shall be recommended to the Governor from a
 7    list of 3 candidates provided by the village president of the
 8    Village of Maywood, and 2 of the members shall be recommended
 9    to the Governor from a list of 3 candidates provided  by  the
10    village president of the Village of Melrose Park.  The office
11    of  chairman  shall  rotate  annually and shall represent the
12    Village of Bellwood, the Village of Melrose Park, the Village
13    of Maywood, and the  Governor's  appointments,  respectively,
14    for  each  of  the  3  years  of  the  term  of office.  Each
15    representative  member  of  the  Authority  shall  take   and
16    subscribe  to  the  constitutional oath of office and file it
17    with the Secretary of State.  If a vacancy occurs  by  death,
18    resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by the
19    appropriate  selecting  party.   All  appointments of members
20    shall be for a 3-year term.  Each member  shall  continue  to
21    serve  an  additional  3-year  term  unless  that  member  is
22    replaced  by  appointment within 60 days of the end of his or
23    her term.
24    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

25        (70 ILCS 1920/60)
26        Sec.   60.  Meetings;   quorum;   resolutions.    Regular
27    meetings of the Authority shall be held at  least  quarterly,
28    the  time  and  place  of  those  meetings to be fixed by the
29    Authority.  Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by
30    any 4 3 members of the Authority by giving notice thereof  in
31    writing, stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
32    The  notice  shall  be  served  by  special  delivery  letter
33    deposited  in the mails at least 48 hours before the meeting.
 
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 1    A majority of the members of the Authority shall constitute a
 2    quorum for the transaction of business.  All  action  of  the
 3    Authority  shall  be  by  resolution and, except as otherwise
 4    provided in this Act, the affirmative  vote  of  at  least  a
 5    majority   shall   be  necessary  for  the  adoption  of  any
 6    resolution.  The Chair shall be entitled to vote on  any  and
 7    all matters coming before the Authority.
 8    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

 9        (70 ILCS 1920/90)
10        Sec.  90.  Reports  and  financial statements.  Within 60
11    days after the end of its fiscal year,  the  Authority  shall
12    cause  to  be  prepared  by  a  certified public accountant a
13    complete and detailed report and financial statement  of  the
14    operations  and  assets and liabilities as relate to the 25th
15    Avenue railroad grade separation project and the First Avenue
16    railroad grade separation project.  A  reasonably  sufficient
17    number  of  copies  of  the  report  shall  be  prepared  for
18    distribution  to persons interested, upon request, and a copy
19    of the report shall  be  filed  with  the  Illinois  Commerce
20    Commission and with the county clerk of Cook County.
21    (Source: P.A. 91-562, eff. 8-14-99.)

22        Section  1-90.   Effective  date.   This Act takes effect
23    upon becoming law.

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