620 ILCS 50/ County Airports Act.

(620 ILCS 50/1) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 104)

Sec. 1. For the purposes of this Act, the words, terms, and phrases in Sections 2 to 14, inclusive, shall have the meanings prescribed in such sections unless otherwise specifically defined or unless another intention clearly appears or the context otherwise requires.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/2) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 105)

Sec. 2. "Commission" means the County Airports Commission.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/3) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 106)

Sec. 3. "Joint Commission" means the Joint County Airports Commission.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/4) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 107)

Sec. 4. "Commissioner" means member of the County Airports Commission or Joint County Airports Commission, as the case may be.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/5) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 108)

Sec. 5. "Superintendent" means the County Superintendent of Airports.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/6) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 109)

Sec. 6. "Aircraft" means the same as in Section 3 of the Illinois Aeronautics Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-341, eff. 8-10-01.)

(620 ILCS 50/7) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 110)

Sec. 7. "Airport" means any area of land, water, or both, which is designed or acquired for the landing and take-off of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the sheltering, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and all appurtenant areas used or suitable for airport buildings or other airport facilities, and all appurtenant rights of way, whether heretofor or hereafter established, and all "airport facilities" as hereinafter defined.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/8) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 111)

Sec. 8. "Department" means the Department of Transportation of this State.

(Source: P.A. 81-840.)

(620 ILCS 50/9) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 112)

Sec. 9. "Airport Facilities" means any facility used in, available for use in, or designed for use in, air navigation, including airports and any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, marks, communicating systems, or other instrumentalities or devices used or useful as an aid constituting an advantage or convenience, to the safe taking-off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe, efficient and economical operation or maintenance of an airport, and any combination of any or all of such facilities.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/10) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 113)

Sec. 10. "Airport protection privileges" means easements through or other interests in air space over land or water, interests in airport hazards outside the boundaries of airports and other protection privileges, the acquisition or control of which is necessary to insure safe approaches to the landing areas of airports and the safe, efficient and economical operation thereof.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/11) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 114)

Sec. 11. "Airport hazard" means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land, which obstructs the air space required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/12) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 115)

Sec. 12. "Meeting" when reference is had to the county board, means a regular, adjourned or special meeting called as provided by the Counties Code.

(Source: P.A. 86-1475.)

(620 ILCS 50/13) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 116)

Sec. 13. "General Bonds" means bonds issued by the county, the payment of interest thereon as it falls due and the payment of the principal thereof is provided for by a sufficient direct annual tax.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/14) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 117)

Sec. 14. "Revenue Bonds" means bonds or other evidence of indebtedness, the payment of interest thereon as it falls due and the payment of the principal thereof is not provided for by a direct tax, but shall come from sources other than county taxes.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/15) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 118)

Sec. 15. For the purposes of this Act, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/15a) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 119)

Sec. 15a. This Act shall not be construed as repealing either or both of the following Acts:

"An Act in relation to the establishment, acquisition, maintenance and operation of airports and landing fields by counties of less than 500,000 population, and by such counties jointly with certain taxing districts located within or partly within such counties, and to provide methods for the financing thereof", approved July 22, 1943;

"An Act to empower counties to acquire, own, construct, manage, maintain, operate, and lease airports and landing fields, to levy taxes and issue bonds therefor, and to exercise the power of eminent domain", approved March 14, 1941.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/16) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 120)

Sec. 16. Whenever in this Act provision is made for the filing of a petition, all such petitions shall be filed with the county clerk, unless otherwise provided, in accordance with the general election law.

(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(620 ILCS 50/17) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 121)

Sec. 17. Whenever in this Act, it is required that a specified percentage of the legal voters of the county sign a petition, such percentage may exceed that specified, and the number so required shall be based on the total number of votes cast for candidates for Governor in the general election held in that county, next preceding the date of the filing of such petition.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/18) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 122)

Sec. 18. Each county of this State having less than 500,000 population, in the manner hereinafter provided is hereby authorized to acquire by purchase or otherwise, to construct, improve, repair, maintain and operate an airport or a system of airports to facilitate travel by aircraft between the principal cities and trading points in each county with each other, and also with the principal cities and trading points in other counties and shall have authority to exercise all such powers within its boundaries and in adjacent territory within this state not in excess of five miles from the nearest boundary line thereof, and in any adjoining state, after first having obtained authority if any be necessary, from the United States or such adjoining state or both, to charge reasonable fees and rents for the use of such airports, and to provide the means therefor by levying a tax and borrowing money. Every county operating under this Act in order to secure greater working efficiency may convey the property acquired for airport purposes, or any part thereof, or any interest therein to any other county or municipality adjacent thereto for public airport purposes upon such terms and conditions as the respective governing bodies shall agree by a two-thirds vote of all members of each of such governing bodies. Adjoining counties may jointly exercise all the power and authority conferred upon a county by this Act, in the manner hereinafter provided.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1842.)

(620 ILCS 50/19) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 123)

Sec. 19. The county board of each county having a population of less than 500,000 population, shall have the power and it shall be its duty, in the manner provided in this Act:

1. To elect the commissioner defined in Section 4.

2. To appoint a county superintendent of airports as provided in Section 35.

3. To levy a tax of not to exceed 2 mills as provided in Section 59.

4. To issue and sell General Bonds as provided in Section 60, provided the aggregate amount of such bonds outstanding at any time shall not exceed 1% of the value of all the taxable property of the county.

5. To issue and sell Revenue Bonds or other evidences of indebtedness as provided in Section 61 provided the aggregate amount of such bonds outstanding at any time shall not exceed 2% of the value of all the taxable property of the county.

6. To perform such other acts as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Act.

All actions taken by the county board shall be by roll call vote.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1842.)

(620 ILCS 50/20) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 124)

Sec. 20. The County Airports Commission when created by the county board as in this Act provided, shall have the powers and duties enumerated in Sections 21 to 34, inclusive.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/21) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 125)

Sec. 21. To locate, establish, acquire by purchase or otherwise, construct, improve, repair, maintain, extend and operate the Airport or System of Airports provided for in this Act.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/22) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 126)

Sec. 22. To acquire land in fee simple, rights in and over land, and easements, upon, over or across land, and leasehold interests in land, and tangible and intangible personal property, used or useful for the location, establishment, maintenance, development, expansion, extension or improvement of any such airport or airports. Such acquisition may be by dedication, purchase, gift, agreement, lease, use or adverse possession or by condemnation.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/23) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 127)

Sec. 23. To fix, charge and collect reasonable rentals, tolls, fees, and charges for the use of any airport, or any part thereof, or any airport facility.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/24) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 128)

Sec. 24. To establish, maintain, extend and improve roadways and approaches by land, water or air to any such airport and to contract or otherwise provide, by condemnation if necessary, for the removal of any airport hazard or the removal or relocation of all private structures, railways, mains, pipes, conduits, wires, poles and all other facilities and equipment which may interfere with the location, expansion, development or improvement of such airports or with the safe approach thereto or take-off therefrom by aircraft, and to pay the cost of removal or relocation; and to exercise the powers and duties conferred by law upon the counties as to zoning with respect to airports under its jurisdiction.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/25) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 129)

Sec. 25. To be responsible for, and have jurisdiction over all public roads and streets within and adjoining the site of any airport and to exercise and be vested with the same powers and duties with respect thereto as is now conferred upon township highway commissioners and county boards over such public roads and streets.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/26) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 130)

Sec. 26. To enter into an agreement for airport protection privileges and to acquire them by condemnation if unable to reach an agreement with the owners thereof.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/27) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 131)

Sec. 27. To agree with the state or federal governments or with any public body or agency in respect to the removal and relocation of any object of natural growth, airport hazard or any structure or building within the vicinity of any airport or within an approach and which is owned or within the control of such government public body or agency and to pay all or an agreed portion of the cost of such removal or relocation.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/28) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 132)

Sec. 28. To nominate or appoint a County Superintendent of Airports as in this Act provided, and to employ and fix the compensation of the necessary persons to carry out the powers and duties imposed upon the commission by this Act.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/29) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 133)

Sec. 29. To regulate and to restrict the flight and operation of aircraft while within or above or within the approaches to such airport or airports, not inconsistent with Federal and State regulations.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/30) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 134)

Sec. 30. To supervise, care for, and have custody of all airports under its jurisdiction, including the grounds and buildings constructed, leased or set apart for airport purposes.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/31) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 135)

Sec. 31. To exercise the right of eminent domain in the following manner: If any plans and surveys provided for in this Act have been approved by the Department, and the resolution presented to the county board adopted as in this Act provided, require that private property be taken or damaged, the County Airport Commission in the name of the county shall have the right to purchase the necessary land from the owner thereof, or if compensation therefor cannot be agreed upon, to have such just compensation ascertained and to acquire and pay for such property in the same manner as near as may be, as provided for in the Eminent Domain Act; provided, that the commission shall not be required, in any case, to furnish a bond.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(620 ILCS 50/31.5)

Sec. 31.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(620 ILCS 50/32) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 136)

Sec. 32. To contract for the performance of any work in connection with the establishment, maintenance and operation of any airport as it may deem to be in the public interest, provided that contracts requiring the expenditure of $2000.00 or more by the County Airport Commission shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder at a public letting held after due publication of notice thereof, however, this requirement shall not apply to contracts for professional services if the approval of the award has been given by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 81-840.)

(620 ILCS 50/33) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 137)

Sec. 33. To apply for and receive the grant or loan of money or other financial aid from the state or federal government or from any state or federal agency, department, bureau or board, necessary or useful for the undertaking, performance or execution of any of the objects or purposes of this act, and to undertake the acquisition, establishment, construction, development or improvement of such airport or airports in cooperation with or as a joint enterprise with the state or federal governments or with both the state and federal governments acting or represented by any state or federal agency, department, bureau or board.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/34) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 138)

Sec. 34. To perform such other acts as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/34.1) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 138.1)

Sec. 34.1. Purchases made pursuant to this Act shall be made in compliance with the "Local Government Prompt Payment Act", approved by the Eighty-fourth General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 84-731.)

(620 ILCS 50/35) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 139)

Sec. 35. In each county that has created a County Airport Commission as in this Act provided, there shall be a County Superintendent of Airports, unless the County Board of such county by resolution approved by the Department shall otherwise determine.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/36) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 140)

Sec. 36. Within 30 days after the organization of such county airport commission, or within 30 days after a vacancy occurs in such office, the Commission shall submit a list of not less than 3 nor more than 5 names of persons to the Department, whom it considers desirable candidates for the office of Superintendent. Candidates shall have one or more of the following qualifications in order to be eligible to hold such office: First, shall be a civil engineer, having a degree from a reputable engineering school or a civil engineer recognized as such by a national professional society of engineers, or structural engineer licensed in this state, with an additional 4 years practical experience in highway, structural or airport engineering design and construction, Second, shall have had at least 10 years experience in highway, structural or airport engineering, 5 years of which have been spent in responsible charge of design and construction of such works. The Department shall thereupon determine by competitive examination from among the names submitted the person or persons best fitted for the office and shall thereupon certify its determination to the presiding officer of the county board of such county, who shall then make an order appointing, with the advice and consent of the county board, from the number found eligible, a County Superintendent of Airports for such county. If, on the list submitted, there is found only one person qualified for the position, the proceedings shall be repeated in a like manner until two or more persons eligible for such position has been determined.

(Source: P.A. 78-1128.)

(620 ILCS 50/37) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 141)

Sec. 37. Any two or more counties may appoint the same person as Superintendent for each of such counties and may by agreement provide for the proportionate share of the salary and expenses of such appointee to be borne by each county.

(Source: P.A. 92-341, eff. 8-10-01.)

(620 ILCS 50/38) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 142)

Sec. 38. Upon the request of the Commission and with the approval of the Department, the presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the county board, may appoint the county engineer to the office of County Superintendent of Airports if he is so qualified as in Section 36 provided, without competitive examination, and for such period as may be agreeable to the Commission or for a term that shall run concurrently with his term of office as such county engineer. No county engineer shall be so appointed unless he consents thereto.

(Source: P.A. 87-217.)

(620 ILCS 50/39) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 143)

Sec. 39. The Department shall withhold approval of all plans and specifications as in this Act provided, until such Superintendent has been appointed as herein provided, unless the Department has waived such requirement.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/40) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 144)

Sec. 40. The term of office of each Superintendent shall be six years and until his successor is duly appointed and qualified. He shall receive a salary in a sum to be fixed by the county board and shall also be allowed actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of the duties of his office. His salary and expenses shall be payable out of the general or Airport Fund of the county.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/41) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 145)

Sec. 41. Upon complaint filed with the county board by the Commission, such Superintendent may be removed from office for the same reasons and in the same manner as in this Act provided, for the removal of Commissioners.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/42) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 146)

Sec. 42. The Superintendent shall, subject to the rules of the Department:

1. Prepare or cause to be prepared, plans, specifications and estimates of costs of construction, maintenance and operation and estimate of earnings if any, for all airports and appurtenances thereto to be established by the Commission.

2. Act for the Commission in all matters relating to the supervision of the construction, maintenance and operation of all airports under its jurisdiction and at its direction.

3. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the rules of the Department or the direction of its Chief Engineer, in conformity thereto, however, no Superintendent shall be required without his consent and the consent of the county board of the county in whose employ he is, to perform services in any other county.

(Source: P.A. 80-1495.)

(620 ILCS 50/43) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 147)

Sec. 43. The office of Superintendent shall be deemed vacant at the end of the incumbent's six year term or in case of his death, removal from office as herein provided or his resignation. If within 90 days after the organization of the Commission, or a vacancy occurs in such office, the county board fails to appoint from the number found eligible, a Superintendent, the Commission shall appoint one of such eligible candidates to be County Superintendent of Airports.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/44) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 148)

Sec. 44. When ten percent of the voters of any county file a petition with the county clerk of such county, asking that a County Airport Commission be created in the manner hereinafter provided, such petition shall be presented to the county board of such county at its next meeting.

At the next meeting of said Board following the presentation of said petition, but not sooner than twenty days after such presentation, the county board shall proceed to elect a County Airport Commission, composed of five voters of such county, two of whom shall be members of such county board, hereinafter called County Board members, and three of whom shall be persons who hold no elective or appointive political office, hereinafter called Non-County Board Members. At least one of such Non-County Board members shall be licensed air pilot or a former member of one of the branches of the Armed Services of the United States who has had equivalent training and experience. All members shall be chosen with reference to their special fitness for such office. The member chosen for aviation experience shall be known as an "Aviation" member, and the other Non-County Board members shall be known as "Non-Aviation" members nothing herein shall prevent the appointment of more than one member of the commission meeting the qualifications of an "aviation" member.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/45) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 149)

Sec. 45. The county board shall consider for election to the Commission, only those persons whose names are presented by the county clerk. The county clerk shall present to the county board as candidates the names of all persons who have been nominated in the following manner: For whom a petition signed by 2% of the voters of such county or by 10% of the membership of the county board, or both, has been filed 48 hours prior to the convening of the county board meeting, provided such petition states that the person nominated is a candidate for election as a county board member, an Aviation member or a Non-Aviation member.

The county board shall proceed by roll call vote to elect the members of the Commission. Voting on county board members of the Commission shall not be joined with the voting for non-county board members of the Commission, nor Aviation with Non-Aviation members. No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Commission unless he has individually been elected by a majority of the members of the county board present at said meeting, whether voting or not voting.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(620 ILCS 50/46) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 150)

Sec. 46. One Commissioner shall hold office for one year, two shall hold office for two years, and two shall hold office for three years from the First day of July following their election, but each until his successor is elected and qualified.

Annually thereafter the county board shall at its first session of its regular meeting held in the month of June of each year, elect as before, the number of Commissioners whose terms expire on July 1st and who shall hold office for three years and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Vacancies on the Commission, occasioned by removal, resignation or otherwise shall be reported to the county clerk, who shall so notify the county board and shall be filled in like manner as original appointments.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/47) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 151)

Sec. 47. Any Commissioner may be removed from office by the county board for incompetence, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. In any proceeding to remove a Commissioner from office, a petition shall be filed with the county board, naming such Commissioner as defendant, setting forth the particular facts upon which the request for removal is based.

The county board shall set the matter for hearing not earlier than 5 days after service shall be had upon the defendant, which service shall be the same as in other civil cases. The county board shall thereupon proceed to a determination of the charges and shall enter an order either dismissing the charges against the Commissioner or removing him from office.

The Commissioner may appeal from the order of the county board to the circuit court of the county wherein he resides at any time within 20 days after the rendition of the county board's order. The appeal shall be perfected by filing a petition with the clerk of the court and serving the chairman or president of the county board with a copy thereof. The petition shall set forth briefly the facts upon which the appeal is based. The case, upon appeal, shall be tried de novo.

The office of Commissioner held by a county board member shall also be deemed vacant when he ceases to be a member of the county board.

(Source: Laws 1967, P. 3684.)

(620 ILCS 50/48) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 152)

Sec. 48. Within ten days after the election of the five members of the Commission as hereinbefore provided, the chairman of the county board shall call a meeting of such members and he shall act as temporary chairman thereof. Two-thirds of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Newly-elected members shall cast lots for their respective terms. The newly-elected members shall elect one of their number as President and one as Secretary. The President and Secretary so elected shall take office immediately and the County Airport Commission, so organized shall be reorganized on the first Wednesday in July of each succeeding year. The Commission shall elect such other officers as they may deem necessary. They shall thereafter be officially known as the ".... County Airports Commission". They shall make and adopt such by-laws, rules and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the airports under their control as may be expedient, not inconsistent with this act, or the regulations of Federal and State Authorities. All records of such county airport commission shall be kept by and in the custody of the county clerk and shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times. The members of the Commission shall be county officers and shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of such officers including quarters in the Court House, if convenient, and such stationery and office supplies as may be required to discharge their duties as such commissioners.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/49) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 153)

Sec. 49. All moneys received for airport purposes with the exception of moneys the title to which rests in the county airport commission in accordance with Section 63, shall be deposited in the treasury of said county to the credit of the designated fund and the Commission shall have exclusive control over its expenditure and it shall not be used for any other purposes than in this Act provided, and shall be drawn upon by the proper officers of the county upon properly authenticated vouchers of the Commission.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/50) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 154)

Sec. 50. Non-Board Commissioners shall receive no compensation as such, but County Board members of the Commission shall be compensated for attendance at all regularly called meetings of the Commission at the same rate set for attendance at meetings of the county board. All members of the Commission shall be allowed their necessary actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as such Commissioners.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/51) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 155)

Sec. 51. The Commission shall meet regularly at a stated time and place at least once each month and at such other times and places as they deem necessary. All meetings shall be public and all actions shall be by roll call vote.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/52) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 156)

Sec. 52. No Commissioner shall be interested, either directly or indirectly in the purchase or sale of any property, real or personal, for said airports.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/53) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 157)

Sec. 53. The Commission shall within six months following its organization, designate the locality, the class and type of the airports that shall come under the provisions of this Act.

The airport or airports to be so designated shall facilitate travel by aircraft between the principal cities and trading points in each county with each other, and also with the principal cities and trading points in other counties. The Commission shall indicate the locality of each Airport so selected, by marking them upon some map which shows among other features, the public roads, railroads, mains, pipes, conduits, wires, cables, poles and other facilities and structures of public service corporations or municipal or quasi-municipal corporations, incorporated areas, existing airports, and shall indicate the class and type of airport to be so located.

In designating the locality, the class and type of airports, the Commission shall have due regard for the following factors: the present and future needs of local interstate and intrastate private flying; the existing and contemplated airport facilities, including those owned or controlled or to be owned or controlled by the Federal Government; the then current State airport plan and State airways system; and the avoidance of unnecessary or unreasonable interference or conflict, on the part of airports, airport plans and airport facilities, with existing important or essential facilities or buildings devoted to the public use. Within ten days after the adoption thereof, certified copies of such maps shall be filed with the Department, in duplicate.

The Department shall examine the map with the airports located thereon, and if the Department finds the airports to be properly located and designated as to class and type, one of the maps shall be returned within thirty days to the county airport commission, with the approval of the Department endorsed thereon. If the Department finds that the airports selected and designated by the Commission do not adequately or efficiently facilitate travel by aircraft between the principal cities and trading points in each county with each other, and also with the principal cities and trading points in other counties, or the type or class of airport designated by the County Airport Commission is deemed to be improperly specified, the Department shall make such changes as will, in its judgment, best serve to facilitate such travel and shall within thirty days after the receipt thereof, return one of the maps with such changes shown thereon to the Commission.

If the map as submitted is approved by the Department or the Commission agrees with the changes made by the Department, the Commission shall, within thirty days after the receipt of the return of the map, so approved or changed by the Department, adopt such map as the Official Airports Plan and file a certified copy thereof with the county clerk and with the Department.

If the Commission does not agree with the changes made by the Department, it shall, within thirty days after the return of said map, file certified copies of the map as submitted to the Department and one of the maps with changes made by the Department shown thereon, with the county clerk. The county clerk shall present such maps to the county board at its next meeting. Such map shall then remain on file in the office of the county clerk until the next meeting of the county board, but for a period of not less than twenty days, and at that meeting the county board shall adopt one of the maps so filed as the Official Airport Plan. The plan prepared by the Commission shall be considered adopted if two-thirds of the membership of the Board votes in favor thereof, otherwise the map as changed by the Department shall become the Official Airport Plan. In either case, the county clerk shall place the map adopted as the Official Airport Plan, on file in his office and forward certified copies thereof to the Commission and the Department.

The airports designated on the map herein referred to as the "Official Airport Plan" shall be the airports to which this act applies, and it shall not apply to any other airports.

No changes shall be made in the location, or change in the class or type of the airports as shown in said Official Airport Plan, without the recommendation of the Commission, the approval of the Department and the consent of the county board.

If any Commission fails to prepare and submit the map showing the location, class and type of airports as aforesaid, the Department shall prepare such map and such map, when filed with the county clerk, shall become the "Official Airport Plan."

(Source: P.A. 80-1495.)

(620 ILCS 50/54) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 158)

Sec. 54. The Commission shall proceed to provide for the establishment of the airport or airports designated on the "Official Airport Plan" as rapidly as the public interest demands and consistent with the funds available or that the Commission deems such funds are likely to become available.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/55) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 159)

Sec. 55. Before any county shall be authorized to levy a tax or borrow money by the issuance of General Bonds or Revenue Bonds:

1. The Commission shall adopt general plans and specifications describing the airport or airports to be constructed, improved, acquired, maintained, or operated, the specific location thereof, the type of construction or improvement and shall make an estimate of the cost thereof and an estimate of the earnings, if any, and the net cost to the Commission.

2. The Commission shall transmit such plans, specifications and estimates as approved by the Department, to the county board.

3. If such plans, specifications and estimates sent to the county board are accompanied by a request that a tax be levied or money borrowed for the purpose of defraying part or all of the cost of such work, the Commission shall accompany such request with a resolution, in appropriate form, for adoption by the county board, which resolution shall among other things provide:

(a) In case the levy of a tax is requested, that the question of levying such tax be submitted to a vote of the people of such county at an election in accordance with the general election law; the rate of tax to be levied and the form of the question which shall be substantially as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------

Airports

Shall an annual tax of (here YES

insert rate) mill(s) on the

dollar of all the taxable ----------------------------

property of (Name of County)

be levied for airport purposes

as specified in "County Airport NO

Commission Request"?

--------------------------------------------------------------

(b) In case the issuance of General Bonds is requested, that the question of issuing such bonds and the raising of an additional tax for the payment of interest and principal thereon be submitted to a vote of the people of such county at a regular election in accordance with the general election law; the specified purposes for which the proceeds of the sale of such bonds are to be used; the maturity of such bonds, which shall be not less than 5 nor more than 20 years; the rate of interest, which shall not exceed the maximum rate authorized by the Bond Authorization Act, as amended at the time of the making of the contract, payable semi-annually, and the amount of such bonds to be issued, and the form of the proposition which shall be substantially as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------

Airports

Shall County Bonds for airport YES

purposes as specified in "County

Airport Commission, Request...." --------------------------

be issued to the amount of $....

and an additional tax levied for

the payment of interest and NO

principal of such bonds?

--------------------------------------------------------------

(c) In case the issuance of revenue bonds be requested, the amount to be issued, the maturity of such bonds and the interest cost and the source of the revenues to be pledged for the retirement of such bonds.

In submitting such request the Commission shall designate such requests as "County Airport Commission Request 'A', etc." and they may be so referred to in any proceedings growing out of this Act. The Commission may submit, if so marked, alternate ways and means of accomplishing the financing of the undertaking submitted, in which case such requests shall be designated "County Airport Commission Alternate A-1" etc.

With respect to instruments for the payment of money issued under this Section either before, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989, it is and always has been the intention of the General Assembly (i) that the Omnibus Bond Acts are and always have been supplementary grants of power to issue instruments in accordance with the Omnibus Bond Acts, regardless of any provision of this Act that may appear to be or to have been more restrictive than those Acts, (ii) that the provisions of this Section are not a limitation on the supplementary authority granted by the Omnibus Bond Acts, and (iii) that instruments issued under this Section within the supplementary authority granted by the Omnibus Bond Acts are not invalid because of any provision of this Act that may appear to be or to have been more restrictive than those Acts.

(Source: P.A. 86-4.)

(620 ILCS 50/56) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 160)

Sec. 56. The County Airport Commission may combine its request for any two or all of the means of financing the proposed undertaking in a single resolution if it deems it necessary and desirable to do so, and in case such request covers the levying of a tax and the issuance of bonds with the levy of an additional tax to pay principal and interest thereon, the proposition shall be in substantially the following form:

--------------------------------------------------------------

Airports

Shall an annual tax of

(here insert rate) mill(s)

on the dollar of all the

taxable property of (here YES

name County) be levied for

airport purposes and shall

county bonds for airport -----------------------------

purposes be issued to the

amount of $........ and an

additional tax levied for

the payment of interest and NO

principal of such bonds all

as specified in "County

Airport Commission Request"?

--------------------------------------------------------------

If the county board within 65 days after the receipt of a request or requests as aforesaid, does not act favorably upon a request or its alternate, the resolution accompanying such request shall be considered in full force and effect and to the same extent as if it were adopted by the county board, when a petition has been filed in the office of the county clerk signed by 10% of the voters of such county, provided the petition states that it is the desire of the signers thereof that the resolution accompanying County Airport Commission Request --, become effective.

No request shall be withdrawn by the Commission for a period of 90 days following the transmittal thereof to the county board, nor after the adoption of the resolution by the county board or by petition as herein provided. All such resolutions shall be without effect unless adopted within 18 months after being presented to the county board. The same question shall be submitted to a vote only once in each calendar year.

(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(620 ILCS 50/57) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 161)

Sec. 57. When a resolution directing that the question of levying a tax or borrowing money by the issuance of General Bonds, be submitted to a vote, has been adopted by the county board or by petition as in this Act provided, the county clerk shall certify the resolution and the question to the proper election officials, who shall submit the question to the voters at an election in accordance with the general election law.

(Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(620 ILCS 50/59) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 163)

Sec. 59. If a majority of all the votes cast upon the question shall be for the levy of the tax, the county board of such county shall thereafter annually levy such tax in the amount certified as necessary by the Commission but not to exceed the rate stated on the ballot, on all taxable property of such county, such tax to be levied and collected in like manner with the general taxes of such county and to form when collected, a fund to be known as the "County Airports Tax Fund" which said tax shall be in addition to all other taxes which such county is now, or hereafter may be, authorized to levy on the aggregate valuation of all property within such county, and the county clerk shall not consider this tax as authorized by this Act, as a part of the general tax levy for county purposes, and shall not include the same in the limitation of 1% of the assessed valuation upon which taxes are required to be extended.

If a county has adopted a proposition for the levy of a tax of less than 2 mills on the dollar, such tax may be increased to a rate not to exceed 2 mills on the dollar, by submitting the proposition to increase such tax to the voters of such county in the same manner as the original question was submitted. Provided, however, that the foregoing limitations upon tax rates may be increased or decreased under the referendum provisions of the General Revenue Law of Illinois.

The "County Airports Tax Fund" shall be used only for the purposes stated in the resolution calling the election authorizing the levy therefor.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 849.)

(620 ILCS 50/60) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 164)

Sec. 60. If a majority of all votes cast upon the question shall be for the issuing of bonds and the levying of an additional tax to pay the interest and principal of such bond, the county board shall issue and sell such amounts of said bonds as the Commission shall determine and certify, from time to time as being necessary to provide the means for accomplishing the purposes for which said bonds were voted. Such bonds shall be issued in conformity to the requirements and provisions of the resolution adopted for the purpose of calling said election, provided however the aggregate amounts of outstanding bonds issued under the provisions of this Act, shall at no time exceed 1% of the total value of all of the taxable property of the county as determined by the last assessment roll on which county general taxes was extended. The principal of such bonds shall be discharged within twenty years after the date of said election. Such bonds shall bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate that does not exceed that permitted in "An Act to authorize public corporations to issue bonds, other evidences of indebtedness and tax anticipation warrants subject to interest rate limitations set forth therein", approved May 26, 1970, as now or hereafter amended. The proceeds from the sale of each issue of bonds shall be deposited in the county treasury and identified as "County Airports Bond Fund No. ....." Such proceeds shall be used only for the purposes stated in the resolution calling the election authorizing the issuing of said bonds, and as specified in the certificate of the Commission as in this section provided.

(Source: P.A. 82-902.)

(620 ILCS 50/61) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 165)

Sec. 61. If the resolution adopted by the county board or by petition, provides for the issuance of revenue bonds or other evidence of indebtedness, the retirement of the principal thereof and the interest thereon, to be accomplished from sources other than direct county taxes, the county board shall issue and sell such amounts of such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness as the Commission shall determine and certify, from time to time as being necessary to provide the means for accomplishing the purposes for which such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness are to be issued as set forth in said resolution. Such bonds or other evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in conformity to the requirements and provisions of the said resolution authorizing such issuance. The principal of such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness shall be discharged within thirty years after the date of the adoption of said resolution. Such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness shall bear interest, payable semi-annually, at a rate not to exceed that permitted in "An Act to authorize public corporations to issue bonds, other evidences of indebtedness and tax anticipation warrants subject to interest rate limitations set forth therein", approved May 26, 1970, as now or hereafter amended. The proceeds from the sale of each issue of bonds shall be deposited in the county treasury and identified as "County Airports Revenue Bond Fund No. ....." Such proceeds shall be used only for the purposes stated in the said resolution and as specified in the certificate of the Commission as in this section provided. All such revenue bonds and other evidences of indebtedness shall not, in any event, constitute or be deemed an indebtedness of the county within the meaning of any constitutional provisions or statutory limitations as to debt, and it shall be so stated plainly on the face of each such bond or other evidence of indebtedness.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(620 ILCS 50/62) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 166)

Sec. 62. All fees and rents shall be paid into the county treasury and deposited in a fund to be known as the "Airport Revenue Fund." Subject to such covenants as may be entered into by the county through the issuance of revenue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, such moneys shall be used by the Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/63) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 167)

Sec. 63. Any person desiring to make any donation or legacy of any money, personal property, or real estate, for the benefit of any airport or for any airport purpose, shall have the right to vest the title to the money, personal property or real estate so donated, in the Commission, to be held and controlled by the Commission, when accepted, according to the terms of the deed gift or legacy of such property, and to such property, the Commission shall be held and considered to be special trustees.

(Source: P.A. 83-388.)

(620 ILCS 50/64) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 168)

Sec. 64. Title to all property, except such property, the title to which is vested in the Commission and under section 63, shall be taken in the name of the county and if acquired by right of eminent domain, the county shall have fee simple thereto.

No real estate shall be sold, traded or otherwise disposed of, except with the recommendation of the Commission, the approval of the Department and the consent of the county board thereto.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/65) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 169)

Sec. 65. In exercising its powers and duties under this Act, the Commission, each officer thereof, the Superintendent, and each employee or representative designated by it, shall have the right to enter upon the land of any person, municipality or other political subdivision and enter the buildings and structures thereon at all reasonable times, when and to the extent that their duty so requires in making surveys, ascertaining necessary facts and making investigations relating to airports.

(Source: P.A. 92-341, eff. 8-10-01.)

(620 ILCS 50/66) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 170)

Sec. 66. The fiscal year of the Commission shall correspond to the fiscal year of the county and in case of a joint Commission shall be the fiscal year of the county having the greater population.

The Commission shall make a progress report each month to the county board, and within one month after the close of such fiscal year, shall make a full and complete report of its activities and transactions.

The Commission, not later than thirty days prior to the end of the fiscal year, shall prepare a budget, and appropriation ordinance, in the same form and manner as is now prescribed by law for counties, and file the same with the county board, and shall certify to the county board the sum or sums necessary and require to be raised by taxation to defray the cost of constructing, operating, repairing, maintaining, improving and acquiring the airports under its jurisdiction for the next fiscal year.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/67) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 171)

Sec. 67. The funds of the county derived from fees and rents and raised by taxation shall not be subject to the provisions of "An Act in relation to the budgets of counties not required by law to pass an annual appropriation bill" approved July 10, 1933, as amended.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/68) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 172)

Sec. 68. When ten percent of the voters of each of two adjoining counties, file a petition with the Department requesting that such counties be joined for the purposes of this Act, the Department shall immediately notify the county clerks of such counties that such a petition has been filed, and if neither county board has elected a county airport commission as in this Act provided, no further action shall be taken by either county board in the creation of a Commission, until notified by the Department that such petition is insufficient or that the joining of the two counties will not be in the public interest. The signatures of the voters of one county shall not be intermingled with the signatures of the voters of the county to which it is to be joined.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/69) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 173)

Sec. 69. Upon the Department notifying such county boards that the petition is sufficient and that the joining of the two counties is in the public interest, each county board shall proceed with the election of Commissioners to serve as members of a Joint County Airports Commission. In determining the sufficiency of the petition, the Department shall take into consideration the relationship between the location of the principal cities and trading points in such counties and the nature of their present and future airport requirements; the nature of the terrain adjoining such cities and trading points to such needs; the effect of the joining of such counties to the then current national airport plan, the then current federal airways system, the then current State airport plan and the then current State airways system; and such other factors as under the circumstances, it regards as having an important bearing on whether such counties should be joined for airport purposes. The number of such commissioners to total nine, five of whom shall be elected by the county having the larger population, and four by the county having the lesser population. The nomination, election and qualifications of such airport commissioner, shall be as in the case of the creation of a county airport commission. Such joint commission shall be composed of two members of each county board, one "Aviation" member from each county, one "non-aviation" member from each county, and one "non-aviation" member to represent the county entitled to the fifth member, which shall come in alternate years from the smaller county.

The commission shall be organized as is provided in the case of a county airport commission, with the chairman of the county board of the county that elected the four members of the joint commission serving as temporary presiding officer. Three of such commissioners shall serve one year, three shall serve two years and three shall serve three years. In fixing the term of office of each of the commissioners, the commissioners shall arrange that the terms shall expire in such order as the requirements of this section demand. Nothing herein shall prevent an agreement between the county boards whereby the number of commissioners elected by each county may be fixed differently, provided that the number of commissioners of each class elected by each county board is not less than one.

Such joint commission shall have all the powers and duties as are in this act given to the county airports commission and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as if the two counties were a single unit.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

(620 ILCS 50/70) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 174)

Sec. 70. In the appointment of a county superintendent of airports, the joint commission shall proceed as is provided for a county airports commission, and the Department shall certify the eligible candidates to each of such county boards who may appoint the same candidate to be superintendent or if unable to agree on the same person, may elect different eligible candidates. If the same person is elected to so serve by both boards the compensation and necessary expense of such superintendent shall be shared as is hereinafter provided for other joint expenditures. In event the two county boards do not concur in the appointment of the same person, each county shall pay the entire compensation and expense of such superintendent. In event one county fails within ninety days after the certification of the eligible candidates to appoint one such person to the office of superintendent, the person elected by the other county shall serve for both counties and his compensation and expense shall be shared as a joint expense. If both counties fail to appoint one of such eligible candidates to serve as superintendent, within such ninety day period, the joint commission shall appoint one of such eligible candidates as superintendent, fix his salary and his compensation and necessary expense shall be shared by the two counties as aforesaid. In any case, such superintendent or superintendents shall act under the direction of the joint commission without respect to county lines and the consent of the county boards shall not be required.

In preparing and submitting resolutions to the county boards providing for the levying of taxes, the borrowing of money, and in the appropriation and expenditure of money, the joint commission shall determine the amount of money needed for joint airport purposes and the counties shall levy taxes to raise such amount of money, in their respective counties, at such rate, not to exceed one mill on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the counties as evidenced by the last assessment roll on which county general taxes were extended, in such proportion as the assessed valuation of the property of one county bears to that of the other county.

The county clerk of the county having the larger population shall act as clerk of the joint county airport commission and have custody of the records thereof. Nothing herein shall prevent an agreement between such county boards providing that the county clerk of the county having the lesser population shall so serve. Unless specifically prescribed in this section, the joint commission and the two county boards shall be governed by the requirements of this Act as it applies to a county airports commission and the county board.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

(620 ILCS 50/71) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 175)

Sec. 71. "An Act in relation to the establishment, maintenance and operation of aviation districts," approved July 21, 1941, and all acts and parts of acts which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/72) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 176)

Sec. 72. If any one or more of the provisions of this Act is declared unconstitutional or the application thereof is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision or provisions to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/73) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 177)

Sec. 73. The provisions of this Act shall be cumulative and shall be considered as conferring additional power on counties and as additions to and not as limitations upon the power of counties to acquire, construct, operate and maintain airports, the levying of taxes, issuance of general bonds and revenue bonds.

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)

(620 ILCS 50/74) (from Ch. 15 1/2, par. 178)

Sec. 74. This Act may be cited as the "County Airports Act."

(Source: Laws 1945, p. 594.)