Illinois Code § 4-30

§ 4-30.

Leasing right-of-way and other district property - Easements - Licenses. The commissioners of any drainage district, subject to the approval of the court, shall have power: (a) On such terms as the commissioners may determine to be for the best interest of the district, but subject to the rights of the owner of any underlying fee, to grant to the State or Federal Government or any agency of either, to any municipal corporation, public corporation, railroad company, public carrier, telegraph or telephone company, pipeline company or public utility company, or to any person or corporation, a license, easement or right-of-way on, over, along, through or across any drain, levee, drainage structure, right-of-way or real estate of such district for the purpose of constructing or establishing thereon any road, railroad, telephone, telegraph or power transmission line, pipeline, water transmission system, airstrip or airplane landing field or other similar works, provided that the use to be made of the license, easement or right-of-way so granted shall not impair, hinder, prevent or obstruct the use of such property for drainage or protection purposes or cause any material damage to the same. (b) To lease for such time, not exceeding 3 years, and upon such terms as the commissioners may determine is for the best interests of the district, the right-of-way of the levee -- any protection area and any other property or interest in property owned by the district, for any lawful purpose, including the pasturing of livestock on the right-of-way of the levee, provided that the use to be made of such property under such lease shall not cause any material damage to any levee or other drainage works of the district and will not impair, hinder, prevent or obstruct the use of such property for any district purpose. (c) To construct or to permit the construction of such fences as may be necessary to permit the use of the levee right-of-way for the pasturing of livestock whenever the commissioners determine that it is for the best interest of the district to construct such fences. (d) To join with the owner or owners of the fee in leasing any right-of-way of the district or to lease any real estate owned in fee by the district for the production of oil, gas, coal or other minerals on such terms as the commissioners determine is for the best interest of the district, provided that no drilling shall be permitted on any right-of-way or real estate of the district which will impair, hinder, prevent or obstruct the use of such right-of-way or real estate by the district for district purposes. Whenever the commissioners of any district desire to grant any license, easement or right-of-way or make any lease as hereinbefore provided in this section, they shall file a petition in the court praying for an order authorizing the same. Upon the filing of the petition it shall be presented to the court, which shall fix the date and hour for hearing. The clerk of the court shall give only such notice of the hearing as the court may direct. The proceedings at the hearing and the findings and order to be entered by the court shall be controlled by the provisions of Sections 4-23 and 4-24 insofar as the same may be applicable. (Source: Laws 1959, p. 1071.)