(70 ILCS 2405/0.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 298.99) Sec. 0.1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sanitary District Act of 1917". (Source: Laws 1967, p. 945.)
(70 ILCS 2405/1)(from Ch. 42, par. 299) Sec. 1. Whenever any area of contiguous territory shall contain one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages or parts of one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, and shall be so situated that the construction and maintenance of a plant or plants for the purification and treatment of sewage and the maintenance of one or more outlets for the drainage thereof, after having been so treated and purified by and through such plant or plants will conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience, the same may be incorporated as a sanitary district under this Act in the manner following: Any 100 legal voters, resident within the limits of such proposed sanitary district, may petition the Circuit Court in the county in which the proposed district or the major portion thereof is located, to cause the question to be submitted to the legal voters of such proposed district whether such proposed territory shall be organized as a sanitary district under this Act, such petition shall be addressed to the Circuit Court and shall contain a definite description of the territory to be embraced in such district, and the name of such proposed sanitary district: However, no territory shall be included in any municipal corporation formed hereunder which is not situated within the limits of a city, incorporated town or village, or within 6 miles outside thereof, and no territory shall be included within more than one sanitary district organized under this Act or any other Act, except that territory included within a sanitary district organized under the Metro‑East Sanitary District Act of 1974 may also be included within a sanitary district organized under this Act. Upon filing of such petition in the office of the circuit clerk in the county in which such territory or the major portion thereof is situated, it shall be the duty of the Circuit Court to name 3 judges of such Court who shall constitute a board of commissioners which shall have power and authority to consider the boundaries of any such proposed sanitary district, whether the same shall be as described in such petition or otherwise, and the decision of 2 of such commissioners shall be conclusive and not subject to review in any manner, directly or indirectly. Notice shall be given by such court of the time and place where such commissioners will meet, by a publication inserted in one or more daily or weekly papers published in such proposed district, at least 20 days prior to such meeting and if no such newspaper is published in such proposed district, then by posting at least 5 copies of such notice in such proposed district at least 20 days before such hearing. At such meeting all persons in such proposed district shall have an opportunity to be heard touching the location and boundary of such proposed district and to make suggestions regarding the same, and such commissioners, after hearing statements, evidence and suggestions, shall fix and determine the limits and boundaries of such proposed district, and for that purpose and to that extent may alter and amend such petition. After such determination by the commissioners or a majority of them, the same shall be incorporated in an order which shall be entered of record in the Circuit Court. Upon the entering of such order, the Circuit Court shall certify the question to the proper election officials who shall submit the question of organization and establishment of the proposed sanitary district as determined by the commissioners, at an election in accordance with the general election law. Each legal voter resident within such proposed sanitary district shall have the right to cast a ballot at such election. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form: ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ For Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ Against Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ The Circuit Court shall cause a statement of the result of such election to be entered of record in the Circuit Court. If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of incorporation of the proposed sanitary district shall be in favor of the proposed sanitary district, such proposed district shall thenceforth be deemed an organized sanitary district under this Act. (Source: P.A. 83‑1425.)
(70 ILCS 2405/2)(from Ch. 42, par. 300) Sec. 2. All courts in this state shall take judicial notice of the existence of all sanitary districts organized under this act. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3)(from Ch. 42, par. 301) Sec. 3. Board of trustees; creation; term. A board of trustees shall be created, consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, and consisting of 3 members in any other district. However, the board of trustees for the Fox River Water Reclamation District, the Sanitary District of Decatur, and the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District shall each consist of 5 members. Each board of trustees shall be created for the government, control and management of the affairs and business of each sanitary district organized under this Act shall be created in the following manner: (1) If the district is located wholly within a single
county, the presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, shall appoint the trustees for the district;
(2) If the district is located in more than one
county, the members of the General Assembly whose legislative districts encompass any portion of the district shall appoint the trustees for the district.
In any sanitary district which shall have a 3 member board of trustees, within 60 days after the adoption of such act, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint three trustees not more than 2 of whom shall be from one incorporated city, town or village in districts in which are included 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, who shall hold their office respectively for 1, 2 and 3 years, from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified, and thereafter on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. The length of the term of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In the case of any sanitary district created after January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 5 trustees, one of whom shall hold office for one year, two of whom shall hold office for 2 years, and 2 of whom shall hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their respective appointments and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The length of the terms of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In any sanitary district created prior to January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required as of January 1, 1978, the two trustees already serving terms which do not expire on May 1, 1978 shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms, and 3 trustees shall be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority by April 10, 1978 and shall hold office for terms beginning May 1, 1978. Of the three new trustees, one shall hold office for 2 years and 2 shall hold office for 3 years from May 1, 1978 and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The lengths of the terms of the trustees who are to hold office beginning May 1, 1978 shall be determined by lot at their first meeting after May 1, 1978. No more than 3 members of a 5 member board of trustees may be of the same political party; except that in any sanitary district which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section and which lies within 4 counties of the State of Illinois or, prior to April 30, 2008, in the Fox River Water Reclamation District; the appointments of the 5 members of the board of trustees shall be made without regard to political party. Beginning with the appointments made on April 30, 2008, all appointments to the board of trustees of the Fox River Water Reclamation District shall be made so that no more than 3 of the 5 members are from the same political party. Within 60 days after the release of Federal census statistics showing that a sanitary district having a 3 member board of trustees contains one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000, or, for the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 2 additional trustees to the board of trustees, one to hold office for 2 years and one to hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. The lengths of the terms of these two additional members shall be determined by lot at the first meeting of the board of trustees held after the additional members take office. The three trustees already holding office in the sanitary district shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. If any sanitary district having a 5 member board of trustees shall cease to contain one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, then, for so long as that sanitary district does not contain one or more such municipalities, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. In districts which include 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, all of the trustees shall not be from one incorporated city, town or village. If a vacancy occurs on any board of trustees, the appropriate appointing authority shall within 60 days appoint a trustee who shall hold office for the remainder of the vacated term. The appointing authority shall require each of the trustees to enter into bond, with security to be approved by the appointing authority, in such sum as the appointing authority may determine. A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. No trustee or employee of such district shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract, work or business of the district, or the sale of any article, the expense, price or consideration of which is paid by such district; nor in the purchase of any real estate or property belonging to the district, or which shall be sold for taxes or assessments, or by virtue of legal process at the suit of the district. Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment or selection of any person as trustee or employee whose only interest in the district is as owner of real estate in the district or of contributing to the payment of taxes levied by the district. The trustees shall have the power to provide and adopt a corporate seal for the district. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section, in any sanitary district created prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, in which a five member board of trustees has been appointed and which currently includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000, the board of trustees shall consist of five members. (Source: P.A. 95‑608, eff. 9‑11‑07; 96‑1065, eff. 7‑16‑10.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3a)(from Ch. 42, par. 302) Sec. 3a. Whenever a vacancy in the board of trustees shall occur, either from death, resignation, refusal to qualify, or for any other reason, the appropriate appointing authority shall fill such vacancy by appointment; and such person so appointed shall qualify for office in the manner hereinbefore stated and shall thereupon assume the duties of the office for the unexpired term to which such person was appointed. (Source: P. A. 77‑694.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4)(from Ch. 42, par. 303) Sec. 4. The trustees shall constitute a board of trustees for the district. The board of trustees is the corporate authority of such sanitary district, and shall exercise all the powers and manage and control all the affairs and property of the district. The board of trustees immediately after their appointment and at their first meeting in May of each year thereafter, shall elect one of their number as president, one of their number as vice‑president, and from or outside of their membership a clerk and an assistant clerk. In case of the death, resignation, absence from the State, or other disability of the president, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office of the president shall devolve upon the vice‑president, until such disability is removed or until a successor to the president is appointed and chosen in the manner provided in this Act. The board may select a treasurer, engineer and attorney for the district, and a board of local improvements consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census and consisting of 3 members in any other district, all of whom may be trustees or other citizens of the sanitary district. The board may appoint such other officers and hire such employees to manage and control the operations of the district as it deems necessary; provided, however, that the board shall not employ an individual as a wastewater operator whose Certificate of Technical Competency is suspended or revoked under rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board under item (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act. The board may appoint a chief administrative officer for a term not to exceed 4 years subject to removal by the board for cause. Appointment of the chief administrative officer may be renewed as often as the board deems necessary. All other persons selected by the board shall hold their respective offices during the pleasure of the board, and all persons selected by the board shall give such bond as may be required by the board. The board may prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of all the officers and employees of the sanitary district. However, no member of the board of trustees shall receive more than $6,000 per year. The board of trustees has full power to pass all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations for the proper management and conduct of the business of the board and the corporation, and for carrying into effect the objects for which the sanitary district was formed. Such ordinances may provide for a fine for each offense of not less than $100 or more than $1,000. Each day's continuance of such violation shall be a separate offense. Fines pursuant to this Section are recoverable by the sanitary district in a civil action. The sanitary district is authorized to apply to the circuit court for injunctive relief or mandamus when, in the opinion of the chief administrative officer, such relief is necessary to protect the sewerage system of the sanitary district. (Source: P.A. 89‑143, eff. 7‑14‑95; 89‑502, eff. 6‑28‑96; 90‑14, eff. 7‑1‑97.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.1) Sec. 4.1. Whenever a sanitary district has 2 or more municipalities or townships within its boundaries, it may pass an ordinance expressing its desire to change the name of the sanitary district, and shall proceed as follows: 1. Proceedings. Before action is had upon such ordinance the name proposed to be given to such sanitary district shall be filed with the Secretary of State. After the proposed name has been on file for 60 days and it appears from information in his office that the proposed name has not been adopted by any sanitary district, the Secretary of State shall grant a certificate so stating. If the proposed name is the same as the name of another sanitary district in Illinois, the Secretary of State shall inform the petitioners thereof. The petitioners then may file another proposed name with the Secretary of State and they may proceed in the manner set forth in this Section. The board of trustees shall not act upon such ordinance until the Secretary of State has issued such certificate. 2. The ordinance shall request that the name of the sanitary district be changed, and also shall request that the circuit court of the specified county submit the question of the change of name to the electors of the district by a public hearing. The judge of the circuit court shall enter an order fixing the time for the hearing upon the ordinance and the day of the hearing shall be not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the filing of the ordinance. The board of trustees shall give notice of the ordinance not more than 30 nor less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall state that an ordinance has been filed and give the substance thereof, including the proposed name change and the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall be given by publishing a notice thereof at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. A copy of this notice shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court. 3. Hearing Petition and Objections. The court shall hold a hearing on such ordinance and all objections thereto, at the time fixed in such notice. If the court is satisfied that a change of name is desirable, it shall make an order changing the name and adopting the name requested in the ordinance. 4. Order Filed with Secretary of State ‑ Judicial Notice of Change ‑ Publishing or Posting Notice. If a change of name is made the board of trustees shall file a copy of the order making the change with the Secretary of State. The courts shall take judicial notice of the change of name. The board of trustees shall publish a notice of the change at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. In sanitary districts with less than 500 population in which no newspaper is published, publication may instead be made by posting a notice in 3 prominent places within the sanitary district. 5. No rights, duties or privileges of such sanitary district, or those of any person, existing before the change of name, shall be affected by a change of name as provided by this Act. All proceedings pending in any court in favor of or against such sanitary district may continue to final consummation under the name in which they were commenced. 6. If the name of any sanitary district is changed without complying with this Act; all proceedings instituted or acts done under the name as changed shall be valid if they would have been valid if done under the old name. (Source: P.A. 86‑129.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.2) Sec. 4.2. Within 60 days after the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1977 every sanitary district organized under the "Sanitary District Act of 1917" shall file with the Secretary of State the official name of the district. (Source: P.A. 80‑424.)
(70 ILCS 2405/5)(from Ch. 42, par. 304) Sec. 5. All ordinances imposing any penalty or making any appropriations shall, within one month after they are passed, be published at least once in a newspaper published in such district, or if no such newspaper of general circulation is published therein, by posting copies of the same in three public places in the district; and no such ordinance shall take effect until ten days after it is so published, and all other ordinances, orders and resolutions, shall take effect from and after their passage unless otherwise provided therein. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6)(from Ch. 42, par. 305) Sec. 6. All ordinances, orders and resolutions, and the date of publication thereof, may be proven by the certificate of the clerk under the seal of the corporation, and when printed in book or pamphlet form, and purporting to be published by the board of trustees, such book or pamphlet shall be received as evidence of the passage and legal publication of such ordinances, orders and resolutions, as of the dates mentioned in such book or pamphlet in all courts and places without further proof. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 305.1) Sec. 6.1. Actions to impose a fine or imprisonment for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution adopted under authority of this Act shall be brought in the corporate name of the sanitary district as plaintiff. Such actions shall commence with a complaint or a warrant. A warrant may issue upon execution of an affidavit by any person alleging that he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be named in the warrant has violated a sanitary district ordinance or resolution. A person arrested upon such a warrant shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the proper officer for trial. Fines for the violation of sanitary district ordinances or resolutions shall be established by ordinance or resolution and when collected shall be paid into the sanitary district treasury at such times and in a manner prescribed by ordinance or resolution. A person who is fined for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution may be committed to the county jail or to any place provided by ordinance or resolution for the incarceration of offenders until the fine and costs are paid. No incarceration, however, shall exceed 6 months for any one offense. The committed person shall be allowed, exclusive of his board, a credit of $5 toward the fine and costs for each day of confinement. The sanitary district may make agreements with a county or municipality for holding such persons in a facility operated by them for the incarceration of violators of laws, ordinances or resolutions. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 777.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7)(from Ch. 42, par. 306) Sec. 7. The board of trustees of any sanitary district organized under this Act shall have power to provide for the disposal of the sewage thereof including the sewage and drainage of any incorporated city, town or village within the boundaries of such district and to save and preserve the water supplied to the inhabitants of such district from contamination and for that purpose may construct and maintain an enclosed conduit or conduits, main pipe or pipes, wholly or partially submerged, buried or otherwise, and by means of pumps or otherwise cause such sewage to flow or to be forced through such conduit or conduits, pipe or pipes to and into any ditch or canal constructed and operated by any other sanitary district, after having first acquired the right so to do, or such board may provide for the drainage of such district by laying out, establishing, constructing and maintaining one or more channels, drains, ditches and outlets, for carrying off and disposing of the drainage (including the sewage) of such district together with such adjuncts and additions thereto as may be necessary or proper to cause such channels or outlets to accomplish the end for which they are designed, in a satisfactory manner, including pumps and pumping stations and the operation of the same. Such board may also treat and purify such sewage so that when the same shall flow into any lake or other water‑course, it will not injuriously contaminate the waters thereof, and may adopt any other feasible method to accomplish the object for which such sanitary district may be created, and may also provide means whereby the sanitary district may reach and procure supplies of water for diluting and flushing purposes; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to empower or authorize such board of trustees to operate a system of waterworks for the purposes of furnishing or delivering water to any such municipality or to the inhabitants thereof. Nothing in this Act shall require a sanitary district to extend service to any individual residence or other building within the district, and it is the intent of the Illinois General Assembly that any construction contemplated by this Section shall be restricted to construction of works and main or interceptor sewers, conduits, channels and similar facilities, but not individual service lines. Nothing in this Act contained shall authorize the trustees to flow the sewage of such district into Lake Michigan. Every such sanitary district shall proceed as rapidly as is reasonably possible to provide sewers and a plant or plants for the treatment and purification of its sewage, which plant or plants shall be of suitable kind and sufficient capacity to properly treat and purify such sewage so as to conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience and to render the sewage harmless, insofar as is reasonably possible, to animal, fish and plant life. Any violation of this proviso and any failure to observe and follow same, by any sanitary district organized under this Act, shall be held, and is hereby declared, to be a business offense and fined on the part of the sanitary district not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000, and the trustees thereof may be ousted from office as trustees of the district by an order of the court before whom the cause is heard. Upon the complaint of the Environmental Protection Agency it shall be the duty of the Pollution Control Board to cause the foregoing provisions to be enforced in accordance with Section 31 of the "Environmental Protection Act". Nothing in this Act contained shall be construed as superseding or in any manner limiting the provisions of the "Environmental Protection Act". In providing works for the disposal of industrial sewage, commonly called industrial wastes, in the manner above provided whether the industrial sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to apportion and collect therefor, from the producer thereof, fair additional construction, maintenance and operating costs over and above those covered by normal taxes, and in case of dispute as to the fairness of such additional construction, maintenance and operating costs, then the same shall be determined by a board of three engineers, one appointed by the sanitary district, one appointed by such producer or producers or their legal representatives, and the third to be appointed by the two engineers selected as above described. In the event the two engineers so selected shall fail to agree upon a third engineer then upon the petition of either of the parties the circuit judge shall appoint such third engineer. A decision of a majority of the board shall be binding on both parties and the cost of the services of the board shall be shared by both parties equally. In providing works, including the main pipes referred to above, for the disposal of raw sewage, in the manner above provided, whether such sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to collect a fair and reasonable charge for connection to its system in addition to those charges covered by normal taxes, for the construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system, the charge to be assessed against new or additional users of the system and to be known as a connection charge. Such construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system shall include proposed or existing collector systems and may, at the discretion of such District, include connections by individual properties. The charge for connection shall be determined by the District and may equal or exceed the actual cost to the District of the construction, expansion or extension of the works of the system required by the connection. The funds thus collected shall be used by the Sanitary District for its general corporate purposes with primary application thereof being made by the necessary expansion of the works of the system to meet the requirements of the new users thereof. (Source: P.A. 85‑1209.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.1) Sec. 7.1. Any sanitary district is authorized to acquire, by purchase or contract, sanitary facilities, including but not limited to drains, ditches, sewers, outlets and sewerage treatment plants, owned by any city, village or incorporated town within the limits of the sanitary district, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed to with the corporate authorities of the city, village or incorporated town, and to thereafter maintain, operate, enlarge, reconstruct and repair any sanitary facilities so acquired. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 517.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.2) Sec. 7.2. Where any sewer system under the jurisdiction of a city, village or incorporated town is tributary to a sanitary district sewer system, and the board of trustees of such sanitary district finds that it will conduce to the public health, comfort or convenience, the board shall have the power and authority to regulate, limit, extend, deny or otherwise control any connection to such sewer tributary to the sanitary district sewer system by any person or municipal corporation regardless of whether the sewer into which the connection is made is directly under the jurisdiction of the district or not. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 2894.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.3)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.3) Sec. 7.3. Any district formed hereunder shall have the right to require
(70 ILCS 2405/0.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 298.99) Sec. 0.1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sanitary District Act of 1917". (Source: Laws 1967, p. 945.)
(70 ILCS 2405/1)(from Ch. 42, par. 299) Sec. 1. Whenever any area of contiguous territory shall contain one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages or parts of one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, and shall be so situated that the construction and maintenance of a plant or plants for the purification and treatment of sewage and the maintenance of one or more outlets for the drainage thereof, after having been so treated and purified by and through such plant or plants will conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience, the same may be incorporated as a sanitary district under this Act in the manner following: Any 100 legal voters, resident within the limits of such proposed sanitary district, may petition the Circuit Court in the county in which the proposed district or the major portion thereof is located, to cause the question to be submitted to the legal voters of such proposed district whether such proposed territory shall be organized as a sanitary district under this Act, such petition shall be addressed to the Circuit Court and shall contain a definite description of the territory to be embraced in such district, and the name of such proposed sanitary district: However, no territory shall be included in any municipal corporation formed hereunder which is not situated within the limits of a city, incorporated town or village, or within 6 miles outside thereof, and no territory shall be included within more than one sanitary district organized under this Act or any other Act, except that territory included within a sanitary district organized under the Metro‑East Sanitary District Act of 1974 may also be included within a sanitary district organized under this Act. Upon filing of such petition in the office of the circuit clerk in the county in which such territory or the major portion thereof is situated, it shall be the duty of the Circuit Court to name 3 judges of such Court who shall constitute a board of commissioners which shall have power and authority to consider the boundaries of any such proposed sanitary district, whether the same shall be as described in such petition or otherwise, and the decision of 2 of such commissioners shall be conclusive and not subject to review in any manner, directly or indirectly. Notice shall be given by such court of the time and place where such commissioners will meet, by a publication inserted in one or more daily or weekly papers published in such proposed district, at least 20 days prior to such meeting and if no such newspaper is published in such proposed district, then by posting at least 5 copies of such notice in such proposed district at least 20 days before such hearing. At such meeting all persons in such proposed district shall have an opportunity to be heard touching the location and boundary of such proposed district and to make suggestions regarding the same, and such commissioners, after hearing statements, evidence and suggestions, shall fix and determine the limits and boundaries of such proposed district, and for that purpose and to that extent may alter and amend such petition. After such determination by the commissioners or a majority of them, the same shall be incorporated in an order which shall be entered of record in the Circuit Court. Upon the entering of such order, the Circuit Court shall certify the question to the proper election officials who shall submit the question of organization and establishment of the proposed sanitary district as determined by the commissioners, at an election in accordance with the general election law. Each legal voter resident within such proposed sanitary district shall have the right to cast a ballot at such election. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form: ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ For Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ Against Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ The Circuit Court shall cause a statement of the result of such election to be entered of record in the Circuit Court. If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of incorporation of the proposed sanitary district shall be in favor of the proposed sanitary district, such proposed district shall thenceforth be deemed an organized sanitary district under this Act. (Source: P.A. 83‑1425.)
(70 ILCS 2405/2)(from Ch. 42, par. 300) Sec. 2. All courts in this state shall take judicial notice of the existence of all sanitary districts organized under this act. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3)(from Ch. 42, par. 301) Sec. 3. Board of trustees; creation; term. A board of trustees shall be created, consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, and consisting of 3 members in any other district. However, the board of trustees for the Fox River Water Reclamation District, the Sanitary District of Decatur, and the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District shall each consist of 5 members. Each board of trustees shall be created for the government, control and management of the affairs and business of each sanitary district organized under this Act shall be created in the following manner: (1) If the district is located wholly within a single
county, the presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, shall appoint the trustees for the district;
(2) If the district is located in more than one
county, the members of the General Assembly whose legislative districts encompass any portion of the district shall appoint the trustees for the district.
In any sanitary district which shall have a 3 member board of trustees, within 60 days after the adoption of such act, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint three trustees not more than 2 of whom shall be from one incorporated city, town or village in districts in which are included 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, who shall hold their office respectively for 1, 2 and 3 years, from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified, and thereafter on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. The length of the term of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In the case of any sanitary district created after January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 5 trustees, one of whom shall hold office for one year, two of whom shall hold office for 2 years, and 2 of whom shall hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their respective appointments and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The length of the terms of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In any sanitary district created prior to January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required as of January 1, 1978, the two trustees already serving terms which do not expire on May 1, 1978 shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms, and 3 trustees shall be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority by April 10, 1978 and shall hold office for terms beginning May 1, 1978. Of the three new trustees, one shall hold office for 2 years and 2 shall hold office for 3 years from May 1, 1978 and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The lengths of the terms of the trustees who are to hold office beginning May 1, 1978 shall be determined by lot at their first meeting after May 1, 1978. No more than 3 members of a 5 member board of trustees may be of the same political party; except that in any sanitary district which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section and which lies within 4 counties of the State of Illinois or, prior to April 30, 2008, in the Fox River Water Reclamation District; the appointments of the 5 members of the board of trustees shall be made without regard to political party. Beginning with the appointments made on April 30, 2008, all appointments to the board of trustees of the Fox River Water Reclamation District shall be made so that no more than 3 of the 5 members are from the same political party. Within 60 days after the release of Federal census statistics showing that a sanitary district having a 3 member board of trustees contains one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000, or, for the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 2 additional trustees to the board of trustees, one to hold office for 2 years and one to hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. The lengths of the terms of these two additional members shall be determined by lot at the first meeting of the board of trustees held after the additional members take office. The three trustees already holding office in the sanitary district shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. If any sanitary district having a 5 member board of trustees shall cease to contain one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, then, for so long as that sanitary district does not contain one or more such municipalities, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. In districts which include 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, all of the trustees shall not be from one incorporated city, town or village. If a vacancy occurs on any board of trustees, the appropriate appointing authority shall within 60 days appoint a trustee who shall hold office for the remainder of the vacated term. The appointing authority shall require each of the trustees to enter into bond, with security to be approved by the appointing authority, in such sum as the appointing authority may determine. A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. No trustee or employee of such district shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract, work or business of the district, or the sale of any article, the expense, price or consideration of which is paid by such district; nor in the purchase of any real estate or property belonging to the district, or which shall be sold for taxes or assessments, or by virtue of legal process at the suit of the district. Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment or selection of any person as trustee or employee whose only interest in the district is as owner of real estate in the district or of contributing to the payment of taxes levied by the district. The trustees shall have the power to provide and adopt a corporate seal for the district. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section, in any sanitary district created prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, in which a five member board of trustees has been appointed and which currently includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000, the board of trustees shall consist of five members. (Source: P.A. 95‑608, eff. 9‑11‑07; 96‑1065, eff. 7‑16‑10.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3a)(from Ch. 42, par. 302) Sec. 3a. Whenever a vacancy in the board of trustees shall occur, either from death, resignation, refusal to qualify, or for any other reason, the appropriate appointing authority shall fill such vacancy by appointment; and such person so appointed shall qualify for office in the manner hereinbefore stated and shall thereupon assume the duties of the office for the unexpired term to which such person was appointed. (Source: P. A. 77‑694.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4)(from Ch. 42, par. 303) Sec. 4. The trustees shall constitute a board of trustees for the district. The board of trustees is the corporate authority of such sanitary district, and shall exercise all the powers and manage and control all the affairs and property of the district. The board of trustees immediately after their appointment and at their first meeting in May of each year thereafter, shall elect one of their number as president, one of their number as vice‑president, and from or outside of their membership a clerk and an assistant clerk. In case of the death, resignation, absence from the State, or other disability of the president, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office of the president shall devolve upon the vice‑president, until such disability is removed or until a successor to the president is appointed and chosen in the manner provided in this Act. The board may select a treasurer, engineer and attorney for the district, and a board of local improvements consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census and consisting of 3 members in any other district, all of whom may be trustees or other citizens of the sanitary district. The board may appoint such other officers and hire such employees to manage and control the operations of the district as it deems necessary; provided, however, that the board shall not employ an individual as a wastewater operator whose Certificate of Technical Competency is suspended or revoked under rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board under item (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act. The board may appoint a chief administrative officer for a term not to exceed 4 years subject to removal by the board for cause. Appointment of the chief administrative officer may be renewed as often as the board deems necessary. All other persons selected by the board shall hold their respective offices during the pleasure of the board, and all persons selected by the board shall give such bond as may be required by the board. The board may prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of all the officers and employees of the sanitary district. However, no member of the board of trustees shall receive more than $6,000 per year. The board of trustees has full power to pass all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations for the proper management and conduct of the business of the board and the corporation, and for carrying into effect the objects for which the sanitary district was formed. Such ordinances may provide for a fine for each offense of not less than $100 or more than $1,000. Each day's continuance of such violation shall be a separate offense. Fines pursuant to this Section are recoverable by the sanitary district in a civil action. The sanitary district is authorized to apply to the circuit court for injunctive relief or mandamus when, in the opinion of the chief administrative officer, such relief is necessary to protect the sewerage system of the sanitary district. (Source: P.A. 89‑143, eff. 7‑14‑95; 89‑502, eff. 6‑28‑96; 90‑14, eff. 7‑1‑97.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.1) Sec. 4.1. Whenever a sanitary district has 2 or more municipalities or townships within its boundaries, it may pass an ordinance expressing its desire to change the name of the sanitary district, and shall proceed as follows: 1. Proceedings. Before action is had upon such ordinance the name proposed to be given to such sanitary district shall be filed with the Secretary of State. After the proposed name has been on file for 60 days and it appears from information in his office that the proposed name has not been adopted by any sanitary district, the Secretary of State shall grant a certificate so stating. If the proposed name is the same as the name of another sanitary district in Illinois, the Secretary of State shall inform the petitioners thereof. The petitioners then may file another proposed name with the Secretary of State and they may proceed in the manner set forth in this Section. The board of trustees shall not act upon such ordinance until the Secretary of State has issued such certificate. 2. The ordinance shall request that the name of the sanitary district be changed, and also shall request that the circuit court of the specified county submit the question of the change of name to the electors of the district by a public hearing. The judge of the circuit court shall enter an order fixing the time for the hearing upon the ordinance and the day of the hearing shall be not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the filing of the ordinance. The board of trustees shall give notice of the ordinance not more than 30 nor less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall state that an ordinance has been filed and give the substance thereof, including the proposed name change and the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall be given by publishing a notice thereof at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. A copy of this notice shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court. 3. Hearing Petition and Objections. The court shall hold a hearing on such ordinance and all objections thereto, at the time fixed in such notice. If the court is satisfied that a change of name is desirable, it shall make an order changing the name and adopting the name requested in the ordinance. 4. Order Filed with Secretary of State ‑ Judicial Notice of Change ‑ Publishing or Posting Notice. If a change of name is made the board of trustees shall file a copy of the order making the change with the Secretary of State. The courts shall take judicial notice of the change of name. The board of trustees shall publish a notice of the change at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. In sanitary districts with less than 500 population in which no newspaper is published, publication may instead be made by posting a notice in 3 prominent places within the sanitary district. 5. No rights, duties or privileges of such sanitary district, or those of any person, existing before the change of name, shall be affected by a change of name as provided by this Act. All proceedings pending in any court in favor of or against such sanitary district may continue to final consummation under the name in which they were commenced. 6. If the name of any sanitary district is changed without complying with this Act; all proceedings instituted or acts done under the name as changed shall be valid if they would have been valid if done under the old name. (Source: P.A. 86‑129.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.2) Sec. 4.2. Within 60 days after the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1977 every sanitary district organized under the "Sanitary District Act of 1917" shall file with the Secretary of State the official name of the district. (Source: P.A. 80‑424.)
(70 ILCS 2405/5)(from Ch. 42, par. 304) Sec. 5. All ordinances imposing any penalty or making any appropriations shall, within one month after they are passed, be published at least once in a newspaper published in such district, or if no such newspaper of general circulation is published therein, by posting copies of the same in three public places in the district; and no such ordinance shall take effect until ten days after it is so published, and all other ordinances, orders and resolutions, shall take effect from and after their passage unless otherwise provided therein. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6)(from Ch. 42, par. 305) Sec. 6. All ordinances, orders and resolutions, and the date of publication thereof, may be proven by the certificate of the clerk under the seal of the corporation, and when printed in book or pamphlet form, and purporting to be published by the board of trustees, such book or pamphlet shall be received as evidence of the passage and legal publication of such ordinances, orders and resolutions, as of the dates mentioned in such book or pamphlet in all courts and places without further proof. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 305.1) Sec. 6.1. Actions to impose a fine or imprisonment for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution adopted under authority of this Act shall be brought in the corporate name of the sanitary district as plaintiff. Such actions shall commence with a complaint or a warrant. A warrant may issue upon execution of an affidavit by any person alleging that he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be named in the warrant has violated a sanitary district ordinance or resolution. A person arrested upon such a warrant shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the proper officer for trial. Fines for the violation of sanitary district ordinances or resolutions shall be established by ordinance or resolution and when collected shall be paid into the sanitary district treasury at such times and in a manner prescribed by ordinance or resolution. A person who is fined for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution may be committed to the county jail or to any place provided by ordinance or resolution for the incarceration of offenders until the fine and costs are paid. No incarceration, however, shall exceed 6 months for any one offense. The committed person shall be allowed, exclusive of his board, a credit of $5 toward the fine and costs for each day of confinement. The sanitary district may make agreements with a county or municipality for holding such persons in a facility operated by them for the incarceration of violators of laws, ordinances or resolutions. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 777.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7)(from Ch. 42, par. 306) Sec. 7. The board of trustees of any sanitary district organized under this Act shall have power to provide for the disposal of the sewage thereof including the sewage and drainage of any incorporated city, town or village within the boundaries of such district and to save and preserve the water supplied to the inhabitants of such district from contamination and for that purpose may construct and maintain an enclosed conduit or conduits, main pipe or pipes, wholly or partially submerged, buried or otherwise, and by means of pumps or otherwise cause such sewage to flow or to be forced through such conduit or conduits, pipe or pipes to and into any ditch or canal constructed and operated by any other sanitary district, after having first acquired the right so to do, or such board may provide for the drainage of such district by laying out, establishing, constructing and maintaining one or more channels, drains, ditches and outlets, for carrying off and disposing of the drainage (including the sewage) of such district together with such adjuncts and additions thereto as may be necessary or proper to cause such channels or outlets to accomplish the end for which they are designed, in a satisfactory manner, including pumps and pumping stations and the operation of the same. Such board may also treat and purify such sewage so that when the same shall flow into any lake or other water‑course, it will not injuriously contaminate the waters thereof, and may adopt any other feasible method to accomplish the object for which such sanitary district may be created, and may also provide means whereby the sanitary district may reach and procure supplies of water for diluting and flushing purposes; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to empower or authorize such board of trustees to operate a system of waterworks for the purposes of furnishing or delivering water to any such municipality or to the inhabitants thereof. Nothing in this Act shall require a sanitary district to extend service to any individual residence or other building within the district, and it is the intent of the Illinois General Assembly that any construction contemplated by this Section shall be restricted to construction of works and main or interceptor sewers, conduits, channels and similar facilities, but not individual service lines. Nothing in this Act contained shall authorize the trustees to flow the sewage of such district into Lake Michigan. Every such sanitary district shall proceed as rapidly as is reasonably possible to provide sewers and a plant or plants for the treatment and purification of its sewage, which plant or plants shall be of suitable kind and sufficient capacity to properly treat and purify such sewage so as to conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience and to render the sewage harmless, insofar as is reasonably possible, to animal, fish and plant life. Any violation of this proviso and any failure to observe and follow same, by any sanitary district organized under this Act, shall be held, and is hereby declared, to be a business offense and fined on the part of the sanitary district not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000, and the trustees thereof may be ousted from office as trustees of the district by an order of the court before whom the cause is heard. Upon the complaint of the Environmental Protection Agency it shall be the duty of the Pollution Control Board to cause the foregoing provisions to be enforced in accordance with Section 31 of the "Environmental Protection Act". Nothing in this Act contained shall be construed as superseding or in any manner limiting the provisions of the "Environmental Protection Act". In providing works for the disposal of industrial sewage, commonly called industrial wastes, in the manner above provided whether the industrial sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to apportion and collect therefor, from the producer thereof, fair additional construction, maintenance and operating costs over and above those covered by normal taxes, and in case of dispute as to the fairness of such additional construction, maintenance and operating costs, then the same shall be determined by a board of three engineers, one appointed by the sanitary district, one appointed by such producer or producers or their legal representatives, and the third to be appointed by the two engineers selected as above described. In the event the two engineers so selected shall fail to agree upon a third engineer then upon the petition of either of the parties the circuit judge shall appoint such third engineer. A decision of a majority of the board shall be binding on both parties and the cost of the services of the board shall be shared by both parties equally. In providing works, including the main pipes referred to above, for the disposal of raw sewage, in the manner above provided, whether such sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to collect a fair and reasonable charge for connection to its system in addition to those charges covered by normal taxes, for the construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system, the charge to be assessed against new or additional users of the system and to be known as a connection charge. Such construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system shall include proposed or existing collector systems and may, at the discretion of such District, include connections by individual properties. The charge for connection shall be determined by the District and may equal or exceed the actual cost to the District of the construction, expansion or extension of the works of the system required by the connection. The funds thus collected shall be used by the Sanitary District for its general corporate purposes with primary application thereof being made by the necessary expansion of the works of the system to meet the requirements of the new users thereof. (Source: P.A. 85‑1209.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.1) Sec. 7.1. Any sanitary district is authorized to acquire, by purchase or contract, sanitary facilities, including but not limited to drains, ditches, sewers, outlets and sewerage treatment plants, owned by any city, village or incorporated town within the limits of the sanitary district, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed to with the corporate authorities of the city, village or incorporated town, and to thereafter maintain, operate, enlarge, reconstruct and repair any sanitary facilities so acquired. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 517.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.2) Sec. 7.2. Where any sewer system under the jurisdiction of a city, village or incorporated town is tributary to a sanitary district sewer system, and the board of trustees of such sanitary district finds that it will conduce to the public health, comfort or convenience, the board shall have the power and authority to regulate, limit, extend, deny or otherwise control any connection to such sewer tributary to the sanitary district sewer system by any person or municipal corporation regardless of whether the sewer into which the connection is made is directly under the jurisdiction of the district or not. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 2894.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.3)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.3) Sec. 7.3. Any district formed hereunder shall have the right to require
(70 ILCS 2405/0.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 298.99) Sec. 0.1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sanitary District Act of 1917". (Source: Laws 1967, p. 945.)
(70 ILCS 2405/1)(from Ch. 42, par. 299) Sec. 1. Whenever any area of contiguous territory shall contain one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages or parts of one or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, and shall be so situated that the construction and maintenance of a plant or plants for the purification and treatment of sewage and the maintenance of one or more outlets for the drainage thereof, after having been so treated and purified by and through such plant or plants will conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience, the same may be incorporated as a sanitary district under this Act in the manner following: Any 100 legal voters, resident within the limits of such proposed sanitary district, may petition the Circuit Court in the county in which the proposed district or the major portion thereof is located, to cause the question to be submitted to the legal voters of such proposed district whether such proposed territory shall be organized as a sanitary district under this Act, such petition shall be addressed to the Circuit Court and shall contain a definite description of the territory to be embraced in such district, and the name of such proposed sanitary district: However, no territory shall be included in any municipal corporation formed hereunder which is not situated within the limits of a city, incorporated town or village, or within 6 miles outside thereof, and no territory shall be included within more than one sanitary district organized under this Act or any other Act, except that territory included within a sanitary district organized under the Metro‑East Sanitary District Act of 1974 may also be included within a sanitary district organized under this Act. Upon filing of such petition in the office of the circuit clerk in the county in which such territory or the major portion thereof is situated, it shall be the duty of the Circuit Court to name 3 judges of such Court who shall constitute a board of commissioners which shall have power and authority to consider the boundaries of any such proposed sanitary district, whether the same shall be as described in such petition or otherwise, and the decision of 2 of such commissioners shall be conclusive and not subject to review in any manner, directly or indirectly. Notice shall be given by such court of the time and place where such commissioners will meet, by a publication inserted in one or more daily or weekly papers published in such proposed district, at least 20 days prior to such meeting and if no such newspaper is published in such proposed district, then by posting at least 5 copies of such notice in such proposed district at least 20 days before such hearing. At such meeting all persons in such proposed district shall have an opportunity to be heard touching the location and boundary of such proposed district and to make suggestions regarding the same, and such commissioners, after hearing statements, evidence and suggestions, shall fix and determine the limits and boundaries of such proposed district, and for that purpose and to that extent may alter and amend such petition. After such determination by the commissioners or a majority of them, the same shall be incorporated in an order which shall be entered of record in the Circuit Court. Upon the entering of such order, the Circuit Court shall certify the question to the proper election officials who shall submit the question of organization and establishment of the proposed sanitary district as determined by the commissioners, at an election in accordance with the general election law. Each legal voter resident within such proposed sanitary district shall have the right to cast a ballot at such election. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form: ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ For Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ Against Sanitary District ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ The Circuit Court shall cause a statement of the result of such election to be entered of record in the Circuit Court. If a majority of the votes cast upon the question of incorporation of the proposed sanitary district shall be in favor of the proposed sanitary district, such proposed district shall thenceforth be deemed an organized sanitary district under this Act. (Source: P.A. 83‑1425.)
(70 ILCS 2405/2)(from Ch. 42, par. 300) Sec. 2. All courts in this state shall take judicial notice of the existence of all sanitary districts organized under this act. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3)(from Ch. 42, par. 301) Sec. 3. Board of trustees; creation; term. A board of trustees shall be created, consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, and consisting of 3 members in any other district. However, the board of trustees for the Fox River Water Reclamation District, the Sanitary District of Decatur, and the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District shall each consist of 5 members. Each board of trustees shall be created for the government, control and management of the affairs and business of each sanitary district organized under this Act shall be created in the following manner: (1) If the district is located wholly within a single
county, the presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, shall appoint the trustees for the district;
(2) If the district is located in more than one
county, the members of the General Assembly whose legislative districts encompass any portion of the district shall appoint the trustees for the district.
In any sanitary district which shall have a 3 member board of trustees, within 60 days after the adoption of such act, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint three trustees not more than 2 of whom shall be from one incorporated city, town or village in districts in which are included 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns or villages, who shall hold their office respectively for 1, 2 and 3 years, from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified, and thereafter on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. The length of the term of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In the case of any sanitary district created after January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 5 trustees, one of whom shall hold office for one year, two of whom shall hold office for 2 years, and 2 of whom shall hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their respective appointments and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The length of the terms of the first trustees shall be determined by lot at their first meeting. In any sanitary district created prior to January 1, 1978 in which a 5 member board of trustees is required as of January 1, 1978, the two trustees already serving terms which do not expire on May 1, 1978 shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms, and 3 trustees shall be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority by April 10, 1978 and shall hold office for terms beginning May 1, 1978. Of the three new trustees, one shall hold office for 2 years and 2 shall hold office for 3 years from May 1, 1978 and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. The lengths of the terms of the trustees who are to hold office beginning May 1, 1978 shall be determined by lot at their first meeting after May 1, 1978. No more than 3 members of a 5 member board of trustees may be of the same political party; except that in any sanitary district which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section and which lies within 4 counties of the State of Illinois or, prior to April 30, 2008, in the Fox River Water Reclamation District; the appointments of the 5 members of the board of trustees shall be made without regard to political party. Beginning with the appointments made on April 30, 2008, all appointments to the board of trustees of the Fox River Water Reclamation District shall be made so that no more than 3 of the 5 members are from the same political party. Within 60 days after the release of Federal census statistics showing that a sanitary district having a 3 member board of trustees contains one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000, or, for the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint 2 additional trustees to the board of trustees, one to hold office for 2 years and one to hold office for 3 years from the first Monday of May next after their appointment and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. The lengths of the terms of these two additional members shall be determined by lot at the first meeting of the board of trustees held after the additional members take office. The three trustees already holding office in the sanitary district shall continue to hold office for the remainders of their respective terms. Thereafter, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee or 2 trustees, as shall be necessary to maintain a 5 member board of trustees, whose terms shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which they are respectively appointed. If any sanitary district having a 5 member board of trustees shall cease to contain one or more municipalities with a population over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census, then, for so long as that sanitary district does not contain one or more such municipalities, on or before the second Monday in April of each year the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint one trustee whose term shall be for 3 years commencing the first Monday in May of the year in which he is appointed. In districts which include 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, or parts of 2 or more incorporated cities, towns, or villages, all of the trustees shall not be from one incorporated city, town or village. If a vacancy occurs on any board of trustees, the appropriate appointing authority shall within 60 days appoint a trustee who shall hold office for the remainder of the vacated term. The appointing authority shall require each of the trustees to enter into bond, with security to be approved by the appointing authority, in such sum as the appointing authority may determine. A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. No trustee or employee of such district shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract, work or business of the district, or the sale of any article, the expense, price or consideration of which is paid by such district; nor in the purchase of any real estate or property belonging to the district, or which shall be sold for taxes or assessments, or by virtue of legal process at the suit of the district. Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the appointment or selection of any person as trustee or employee whose only interest in the district is as owner of real estate in the district or of contributing to the payment of taxes levied by the district. The trustees shall have the power to provide and adopt a corporate seal for the district. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section, in any sanitary district created prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, in which a five member board of trustees has been appointed and which currently includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000, the board of trustees shall consist of five members. (Source: P.A. 95‑608, eff. 9‑11‑07; 96‑1065, eff. 7‑16‑10.)
(70 ILCS 2405/3a)(from Ch. 42, par. 302) Sec. 3a. Whenever a vacancy in the board of trustees shall occur, either from death, resignation, refusal to qualify, or for any other reason, the appropriate appointing authority shall fill such vacancy by appointment; and such person so appointed shall qualify for office in the manner hereinbefore stated and shall thereupon assume the duties of the office for the unexpired term to which such person was appointed. (Source: P. A. 77‑694.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4)(from Ch. 42, par. 303) Sec. 4. The trustees shall constitute a board of trustees for the district. The board of trustees is the corporate authority of such sanitary district, and shall exercise all the powers and manage and control all the affairs and property of the district. The board of trustees immediately after their appointment and at their first meeting in May of each year thereafter, shall elect one of their number as president, one of their number as vice‑president, and from or outside of their membership a clerk and an assistant clerk. In case of the death, resignation, absence from the State, or other disability of the president, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office of the president shall devolve upon the vice‑president, until such disability is removed or until a successor to the president is appointed and chosen in the manner provided in this Act. The board may select a treasurer, engineer and attorney for the district, and a board of local improvements consisting of 5 members in any sanitary district which includes one or more municipalities with a population of over 90,000 but less than 500,000 according to the most recent Federal census and consisting of 3 members in any other district, all of whom may be trustees or other citizens of the sanitary district. The board may appoint such other officers and hire such employees to manage and control the operations of the district as it deems necessary; provided, however, that the board shall not employ an individual as a wastewater operator whose Certificate of Technical Competency is suspended or revoked under rules adopted by the Pollution Control Board under item (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act. The board may appoint a chief administrative officer for a term not to exceed 4 years subject to removal by the board for cause. Appointment of the chief administrative officer may be renewed as often as the board deems necessary. All other persons selected by the board shall hold their respective offices during the pleasure of the board, and all persons selected by the board shall give such bond as may be required by the board. The board may prescribe the duties and fix the compensation of all the officers and employees of the sanitary district. However, no member of the board of trustees shall receive more than $6,000 per year. The board of trustees has full power to pass all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations for the proper management and conduct of the business of the board and the corporation, and for carrying into effect the objects for which the sanitary district was formed. Such ordinances may provide for a fine for each offense of not less than $100 or more than $1,000. Each day's continuance of such violation shall be a separate offense. Fines pursuant to this Section are recoverable by the sanitary district in a civil action. The sanitary district is authorized to apply to the circuit court for injunctive relief or mandamus when, in the opinion of the chief administrative officer, such relief is necessary to protect the sewerage system of the sanitary district. (Source: P.A. 89‑143, eff. 7‑14‑95; 89‑502, eff. 6‑28‑96; 90‑14, eff. 7‑1‑97.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.1) Sec. 4.1. Whenever a sanitary district has 2 or more municipalities or townships within its boundaries, it may pass an ordinance expressing its desire to change the name of the sanitary district, and shall proceed as follows: 1. Proceedings. Before action is had upon such ordinance the name proposed to be given to such sanitary district shall be filed with the Secretary of State. After the proposed name has been on file for 60 days and it appears from information in his office that the proposed name has not been adopted by any sanitary district, the Secretary of State shall grant a certificate so stating. If the proposed name is the same as the name of another sanitary district in Illinois, the Secretary of State shall inform the petitioners thereof. The petitioners then may file another proposed name with the Secretary of State and they may proceed in the manner set forth in this Section. The board of trustees shall not act upon such ordinance until the Secretary of State has issued such certificate. 2. The ordinance shall request that the name of the sanitary district be changed, and also shall request that the circuit court of the specified county submit the question of the change of name to the electors of the district by a public hearing. The judge of the circuit court shall enter an order fixing the time for the hearing upon the ordinance and the day of the hearing shall be not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the filing of the ordinance. The board of trustees shall give notice of the ordinance not more than 30 nor less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall state that an ordinance has been filed and give the substance thereof, including the proposed name change and the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall be given by publishing a notice thereof at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. A copy of this notice shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court. 3. Hearing Petition and Objections. The court shall hold a hearing on such ordinance and all objections thereto, at the time fixed in such notice. If the court is satisfied that a change of name is desirable, it shall make an order changing the name and adopting the name requested in the ordinance. 4. Order Filed with Secretary of State ‑ Judicial Notice of Change ‑ Publishing or Posting Notice. If a change of name is made the board of trustees shall file a copy of the order making the change with the Secretary of State. The courts shall take judicial notice of the change of name. The board of trustees shall publish a notice of the change at least once in one or more newspapers published in the sanitary district territory, or if no newspaper is published therein, then in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the sanitary district territory. In sanitary districts with less than 500 population in which no newspaper is published, publication may instead be made by posting a notice in 3 prominent places within the sanitary district. 5. No rights, duties or privileges of such sanitary district, or those of any person, existing before the change of name, shall be affected by a change of name as provided by this Act. All proceedings pending in any court in favor of or against such sanitary district may continue to final consummation under the name in which they were commenced. 6. If the name of any sanitary district is changed without complying with this Act; all proceedings instituted or acts done under the name as changed shall be valid if they would have been valid if done under the old name. (Source: P.A. 86‑129.)
(70 ILCS 2405/4.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 303.2) Sec. 4.2. Within 60 days after the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1977 every sanitary district organized under the "Sanitary District Act of 1917" shall file with the Secretary of State the official name of the district. (Source: P.A. 80‑424.)
(70 ILCS 2405/5)(from Ch. 42, par. 304) Sec. 5. All ordinances imposing any penalty or making any appropriations shall, within one month after they are passed, be published at least once in a newspaper published in such district, or if no such newspaper of general circulation is published therein, by posting copies of the same in three public places in the district; and no such ordinance shall take effect until ten days after it is so published, and all other ordinances, orders and resolutions, shall take effect from and after their passage unless otherwise provided therein. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6)(from Ch. 42, par. 305) Sec. 6. All ordinances, orders and resolutions, and the date of publication thereof, may be proven by the certificate of the clerk under the seal of the corporation, and when printed in book or pamphlet form, and purporting to be published by the board of trustees, such book or pamphlet shall be received as evidence of the passage and legal publication of such ordinances, orders and resolutions, as of the dates mentioned in such book or pamphlet in all courts and places without further proof. (Source: Laws 1917, p. 396.)
(70 ILCS 2405/6.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 305.1) Sec. 6.1. Actions to impose a fine or imprisonment for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution adopted under authority of this Act shall be brought in the corporate name of the sanitary district as plaintiff. Such actions shall commence with a complaint or a warrant. A warrant may issue upon execution of an affidavit by any person alleging that he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be named in the warrant has violated a sanitary district ordinance or resolution. A person arrested upon such a warrant shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the proper officer for trial. Fines for the violation of sanitary district ordinances or resolutions shall be established by ordinance or resolution and when collected shall be paid into the sanitary district treasury at such times and in a manner prescribed by ordinance or resolution. A person who is fined for violation of a sanitary district ordinance or resolution may be committed to the county jail or to any place provided by ordinance or resolution for the incarceration of offenders until the fine and costs are paid. No incarceration, however, shall exceed 6 months for any one offense. The committed person shall be allowed, exclusive of his board, a credit of $5 toward the fine and costs for each day of confinement. The sanitary district may make agreements with a county or municipality for holding such persons in a facility operated by them for the incarceration of violators of laws, ordinances or resolutions. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 777.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7)(from Ch. 42, par. 306) Sec. 7. The board of trustees of any sanitary district organized under this Act shall have power to provide for the disposal of the sewage thereof including the sewage and drainage of any incorporated city, town or village within the boundaries of such district and to save and preserve the water supplied to the inhabitants of such district from contamination and for that purpose may construct and maintain an enclosed conduit or conduits, main pipe or pipes, wholly or partially submerged, buried or otherwise, and by means of pumps or otherwise cause such sewage to flow or to be forced through such conduit or conduits, pipe or pipes to and into any ditch or canal constructed and operated by any other sanitary district, after having first acquired the right so to do, or such board may provide for the drainage of such district by laying out, establishing, constructing and maintaining one or more channels, drains, ditches and outlets, for carrying off and disposing of the drainage (including the sewage) of such district together with such adjuncts and additions thereto as may be necessary or proper to cause such channels or outlets to accomplish the end for which they are designed, in a satisfactory manner, including pumps and pumping stations and the operation of the same. Such board may also treat and purify such sewage so that when the same shall flow into any lake or other water‑course, it will not injuriously contaminate the waters thereof, and may adopt any other feasible method to accomplish the object for which such sanitary district may be created, and may also provide means whereby the sanitary district may reach and procure supplies of water for diluting and flushing purposes; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to empower or authorize such board of trustees to operate a system of waterworks for the purposes of furnishing or delivering water to any such municipality or to the inhabitants thereof. Nothing in this Act shall require a sanitary district to extend service to any individual residence or other building within the district, and it is the intent of the Illinois General Assembly that any construction contemplated by this Section shall be restricted to construction of works and main or interceptor sewers, conduits, channels and similar facilities, but not individual service lines. Nothing in this Act contained shall authorize the trustees to flow the sewage of such district into Lake Michigan. Every such sanitary district shall proceed as rapidly as is reasonably possible to provide sewers and a plant or plants for the treatment and purification of its sewage, which plant or plants shall be of suitable kind and sufficient capacity to properly treat and purify such sewage so as to conduce to the preservation of the public health, comfort and convenience and to render the sewage harmless, insofar as is reasonably possible, to animal, fish and plant life. Any violation of this proviso and any failure to observe and follow same, by any sanitary district organized under this Act, shall be held, and is hereby declared, to be a business offense and fined on the part of the sanitary district not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000, and the trustees thereof may be ousted from office as trustees of the district by an order of the court before whom the cause is heard. Upon the complaint of the Environmental Protection Agency it shall be the duty of the Pollution Control Board to cause the foregoing provisions to be enforced in accordance with Section 31 of the "Environmental Protection Act". Nothing in this Act contained shall be construed as superseding or in any manner limiting the provisions of the "Environmental Protection Act". In providing works for the disposal of industrial sewage, commonly called industrial wastes, in the manner above provided whether the industrial sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to apportion and collect therefor, from the producer thereof, fair additional construction, maintenance and operating costs over and above those covered by normal taxes, and in case of dispute as to the fairness of such additional construction, maintenance and operating costs, then the same shall be determined by a board of three engineers, one appointed by the sanitary district, one appointed by such producer or producers or their legal representatives, and the third to be appointed by the two engineers selected as above described. In the event the two engineers so selected shall fail to agree upon a third engineer then upon the petition of either of the parties the circuit judge shall appoint such third engineer. A decision of a majority of the board shall be binding on both parties and the cost of the services of the board shall be shared by both parties equally. In providing works, including the main pipes referred to above, for the disposal of raw sewage, in the manner above provided, whether such sewage is disposed of in combination with municipal sewage or independently, the Sanitary District shall have power to collect a fair and reasonable charge for connection to its system in addition to those charges covered by normal taxes, for the construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system, the charge to be assessed against new or additional users of the system and to be known as a connection charge. Such construction, expansion and extension of the works of the system shall include proposed or existing collector systems and may, at the discretion of such District, include connections by individual properties. The charge for connection shall be determined by the District and may equal or exceed the actual cost to the District of the construction, expansion or extension of the works of the system required by the connection. The funds thus collected shall be used by the Sanitary District for its general corporate purposes with primary application thereof being made by the necessary expansion of the works of the system to meet the requirements of the new users thereof. (Source: P.A. 85‑1209.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.1)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.1) Sec. 7.1. Any sanitary district is authorized to acquire, by purchase or contract, sanitary facilities, including but not limited to drains, ditches, sewers, outlets and sewerage treatment plants, owned by any city, village or incorporated town within the limits of the sanitary district, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed to with the corporate authorities of the city, village or incorporated town, and to thereafter maintain, operate, enlarge, reconstruct and repair any sanitary facilities so acquired. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 517.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.2)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.2) Sec. 7.2. Where any sewer system under the jurisdiction of a city, village or incorporated town is tributary to a sanitary district sewer system, and the board of trustees of such sanitary district finds that it will conduce to the public health, comfort or convenience, the board shall have the power and authority to regulate, limit, extend, deny or otherwise control any connection to such sewer tributary to the sanitary district sewer system by any person or municipal corporation regardless of whether the sewer into which the connection is made is directly under the jurisdiction of the district or not. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 2894.)
(70 ILCS 2405/7.3)(from Ch. 42, par. 306.3) Sec. 7.3. Any district formed hereunder shall have the right to require
