(605 ILCS 5/6-125) (from Ch. 121, par. 6-125)
Sec. 6-125.
In any county under the commission form of government in which a county
unit road district is established, as of the first Tuesday in April after
the holding of such election, the county superintendent of highways shall
take over and be responsible, subject to the direction of the county board,
for the construction, maintenance and repair of all roads in such county
for which the several highway commissioners had theretofore been
responsible. Such construction, maintenance and repair shall be undertaken
uniformly throughout the county without granting any special consideration
toward any part or parts thereof except for traffic and safety needs.
After the establishment of a county unit road district, the roads for
which the county thereby becomes so responsible shall remain a part of the
district road system as defined by this Code and shall not be considered as
part of the county highway system as defined by this Code. However, any
such district road may thereafter be made a part of the county highway
system in the manner provided by this Code.
As of such date, the offices of highway commissioner, clerk and
treasurer in each road district in such county are abolished, except that
such officers may complete the affairs of their respective offices as
herein provided and as needed for the transition. Upon release by the
county superintendent such road districts shall have no further powers or
duties relating to the construction, repair, maintenance and supervision of
roads.
As of such date, the several highway commissioners shall deliver to the
county superintendent of highways all property and equipment of their
respective districts, taking his receipt therefor. Road district property
used exclusively for road maintenance and related purposes shall also be
delivered to the county superintendent, taking his receipt therefor. The
several district clerks shall deliver the books, records and papers
pertaining to such office to the county clerk, taking his receipt therefor.
The several district treasurers shall transfer and deliver to the county
treasurer all funds of their respective districts which they hold, taking
his receipt therefor. Any accounts or tax moneys thereafter payable to any
road district in such county shall be paid into a special county unit road
district fund which shall be maintained separate and apart from the general
county fund. The county treasurer shall be custodian of the county unit
road district fund and any performance bond executed by the county
treasurer shall be applicable to the moneys in the special fund. Receipts
for these transfers shall be filed with the county clerk.
The county unit road district so established shall succeed to and assume
all obligations and contracts of each of such road districts in such
county, other than bonded indebtedness. With respect to the bonded
indebtedness for road purposes of any former district in a county in which
a county unit road district is so established, the county clerk annually
shall extend taxes against all of the taxable property in the former road
district so long as any of such bonds are outstanding, sufficient to pay
the maturing principal and interest of such bonds as they become due, such
tax to be in addition to all other taxes for road purposes and without
limitation as to rate or amount. The proceeds of such tax, when collected,
shall be used for the payment of the principal and interest on such bonds.
All county unit road districts established under this Act shall be
independent county agencies administered by the respective county
superintendents of highways, under the general supervision of the county
board. The county unit road districts shall maintain separate books showing
receipts and expenditures, and shall issue such financial and other reports
as the county board may from time to time require.
(Source: P.A. 78-543.)
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