(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 1 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-1) Sec. 7-1-1. Annexation of contiguous territory. Any territory that is not within the corporate limits of any municipality but is contiguous to a municipality may be annexed to the municipality as provided in this Article. For the purposes of this Article any territory to be annexed to a municipality shall be considered to be contiguous to the municipality notwithstanding that the territory is separated from the municipality by a lake, river, or other waterway or the territory is separated from the municipality by a strip parcel, railroad or public utility right-of-way, or former railroad right-of-way that has been converted to a recreational trail, but upon annexation the area included within that strip parcel, right-of-way, or former right-of-way shall not be considered to be annexed to the municipality. For purposes of this Section, "strip parcel" means a separation no wider than 30 feet between the territory to be annexed and the municipal boundary. Except in counties with a population of more than 600,000 but less than 3,000,000, territory which is not contiguous to a municipality but is separated therefrom only by a forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land or open space that is part of an open space program, as defined in Section 115-5 of the Township Code, or conservation area, may be annexed to the municipality pursuant to Section 7-1-7 or 7-1-8, but only if the annexing municipality can show that the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area creates an artificial barrier preventing the annexation and that the location of the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area property prevents the orderly natural growth of the annexing municipality. Except for parcels of land less than one acre in size, it shall be conclusively presumed that the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area does not create an artificial barrier if the property sought to be annexed is bounded on at least 3 sides by (i) one or more other municipalities (other than the municipality seeking annexation through the existing forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area), (ii) forest preserve district property, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area, or (iii) a combination of other municipalities and forest preserve district property, federal wildlife refuge property, open land, open space, or conservation area. Except of parcels of land less than one acre in size, it shall also be conclusively presumed that the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area does not create an artificial barrier if the municipality seeking annexation is not the closest municipality within the county to the property to be annexed. The territory included within such forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area shall not be annexed to the municipality nor shall the territory of the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area be subject to rights-of-way for access or services between the parts of the municipality separated by the forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land, open space, or conservation area without the consent of the governing body of the forest preserve district or federal wildlife refuge. Parcels of land less than one acre in size may be annexed to the municipality pursuant to Section 7-1-7 or 7-1-8 if it would be contiguous to the municipality but for the separation therefrom by a forest preserve district, federal wildlife refuge, open land or open space that is part of an open space program, as defined in Section 115-5 of the Township Code, or conservation area. The changes made to this Section by Public Act 91-824 are declaratory of existing law and shall not be construed as a new enactment. For the purpose of this Section, "conservation area" means an area dedicated to conservation and owned by a not-for-profit organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any area owned by a conservation district. In counties that are contiguous to the Mississippi River with populations of more than 200,000 but less than 255,000, a municipality that is partially located in territory that is wholly surrounded by the Mississippi River and a canal, connected at both ends to the Mississippi River and located on property owned by the United States of America, may annex noncontiguous territory in the surrounded territory under Sections 7-1-7, 7-1-8, or 7-1-9 if that territory is separated from the municipality by property owned by the United States of America, but that federal property shall not be annexed without the consent of the federal government. For the purposes of this Article, any territory to be annexed to a municipality that is located in a county with more than 500,000 inhabitants shall be considered to be contiguous to the municipality if only a river and a national heritage corridor separate the territory from the municipality. Upon annexation, no river or national heritage corridor shall be considered annexed to the municipality. When any land proposed to be annexed is part of any Fire Protection District or of any Public Library District and the annexing municipality provides fire protection or a public library, as the case may be, the Trustees of each District shall be notified in writing by certified or registered mail before any court hearing or other action is taken for annexation. The notice shall be served 10 days in advance. An affidavit that service of notice has been had as provided by this Section must be filed with the clerk of the court in which the annexation proceedings are pending or will be instituted or, when no court proceedings are involved, with the recorder for the county where the land is situated. No annexation of that land is effective unless service is had and the affidavit filed as provided in this Section. The new boundary shall extend to the far side of any adjacent highway and shall include all of every highway within the area annexed. These highways shall be considered to be annexed even though not included in the legal description set forth in the petition for annexation. When any land proposed to be annexed includes any highway under the jurisdiction of any township, the Township Commissioner of Highways, the Board of Town Trustees, the Township Supervisor, and the Township Clerk shall be notified in writing by certified or registered mail before any court hearing or other action is taken for annexation. In the event that a municipality fails to notify the Township Commissioner of Highways, the Board of Town Trustees, the Township Supervisor, and the Township Clerk of the annexation of an area within the township, the municipality shall reimburse that township for any loss or liability caused by the failure to give notice. If any municipality has annexed any area before October 1, 1975, and the legal description in the petition for annexation did not include the entire adjacent highway, any such annexation shall be valid and any highway adjacent to the area annexed shall be considered to be annexed notwithstanding the failure of the petition to annex to include the description of the entire adjacent highway. When annexing territory separated from the municipality by a lake, river, or other waterway, the municipality also annexes the portion of the lake, river, or other waterway that would make the municipality and territory contiguous if the lake, river, or other waterway is under the jurisdiction and control of another unit of local government or the State, or the federal government if allowed under federal law, except for any territory within the corporate limits of another municipality. Any annexation, disconnection and annexation, or disconnection under this Article of any territory must be reported by certified or registered mail by the corporate authority initiating the action to the election authorities having jurisdiction in the territory and the post office branches serving the territory within 30 days of the annexation, disconnection and annexation, or disconnection. Failure to give notice to the required election authorities or post office branches will not invalidate the annexation or disconnection. For purposes of this Section "election authorities" means the county clerk where the clerk acts as the clerk of elections or the clerk of the election commission having jurisdiction. No annexation, disconnection and annexation, or disconnection under this Article of territory having electors residing therein made (1) before any primary election to be held within the municipality affected thereby and after the time for filing petitions as a candidate for nomination to any office to be chosen at the primary election or (2) within 60 days before any general election to be held within the municipality shall be effective until the day after the date of the primary or general election, as the case may be. For the purpose of this Section, a toll highway or connection between parcels via an overpass bridge over a toll highway shall not be considered a deterrent to the definition of contiguous territory. When territory is proposed to be annexed by court order under this Article, the corporate authorities or petitioners initiating the action shall notify each person who pays real estate taxes on property within that territory unless the person is a petitioner. The notice shall be served by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, at least 20 days before a court hearing or other court action. If the person who pays real estate taxes on the property is not the owner of record, then the payor shall notify the owner of record of the proposed annexation. (Source: P.A. 99-63, eff. 1-1-16; 100-53, eff. 1-1-18.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-1.1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-1.1) Sec. 7-1-1.1. Elector. For the purposes of this Division 1, "elector" means anyone registered to vote. (Source: P.A. 90-14, eff. 7-1-97.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-2) Sec. 7-1-2. (a) A written petition signed by a majority of the owners of record of land in the territory and also by a majority of the electors, if any, residing in the territory shall be filed with the circuit court clerk of the county in which the territory is located, or the corporate authorities of a municipality may initiate the proceedings by enacting an ordinance expressing their desire to annex the described territory. A person owning land underlying a highway shall not be considered an owner of record for purposes of this petition unless that person owns some land not underlying a highway proposed to be annexed in the petition for annexation. No tract of land in excess of 10 acres in area may be included in the ordinances of a municipality initiating the proceedings, however, without the express consent of the owner of the tract unless the tract (i) is subdivided into lots or blocks or (ii) is bounded on at least 3 sides by lands subdivided into lots or blocks. A tract of land shall be deemed so bounded if it is actually separated from the subdivision only by the right-of-way of a railroad or other public utility or at a public highway. The petition or ordinance, as the case may be, shall request the annexation of the territory to a specified municipality and also shall request that the circuit court of the specified county submit the question of the annexation to the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality or to the electors of the unincorporated territory, as the case may be. The circuit court shall enter an order fixing the time for the hearing upon the petition, and the day for the hearing shall be not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the filing of the petition or ordinance, as the case may be. (b) The petitioners or corporate authorities, as the case may be, shall give notice of the annexation petition or ordinance, as the case may be, not more than 30 nor less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall state that a petition for annexation or ordinance, as the case may be, has been filed and shall give the substance of the petition, including a description of the territory to be annexed, the name of the annexing municipality, and the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall be given by publishing a notice at least once in one or more newspapers published in the annexing municipality or, if no newspaper is published in the annexing municipality, in one or more newspapers with a general circulation within the annexing municipality and territory. A copy of this notice shall be filed with the clerk of the annexing municipality and the municipal clerk shall send, by registered mail, an additional copy to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the territory proposed to be annexed is situated. If a municipal clerk fails to send the notice to a highway commissioner as required by this subsection, the municipality shall reimburse the road district served by that highway commissioner for any loss or liability caused by that failure. Any notice required by this Section need not include a metes and bounds legal description of the territory to be annexed, provided that the notice includes: (i) the common street address or addresses and (ii) the property index number ("PIN") or numbers of all the parcels of real property contained in the territory to be annexed. (c) The petitioners or corporate authorities, as the case may be, shall pay to the clerk of the circuit court $10 as a filing and service fee, and no petition or ordinance, as the case may be, shall be filed until this fee is paid. (d) No petitioner may withdraw from this petition except by consent of the majority of the other petitioners, or where it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the signature of the petitioner was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation. (e) If a State charitable institution is situated upon a tract or tracts of land that lie partly within and partly without the corporate limits of any municipality, the corporate authorities of the municipality may by resolution without any petition or proceedings required by this Article but with the written consent of the Director of the State Department having jurisdiction of the institution, annex any part or all of the tracts lying without the corporate limits. (f) If real estate owned by the State of Illinois or any board, agency, or commission of the State is situated in unincorporated territory adjacent to a municipality, the corporate authorities of the municipality may annex any part or all of the real estate only with the written consent of the Governor or the governing authority of the board, agency, or commission, without any petition or proceedings required by this Article by resolution of the corporate authorities. This requirement does not apply, however, to State highways located within territory to be annexed under this Article. (Source: P.A. 97-336, eff. 8-12-11.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-3) Sec. 7-1-3. After the filing of the petition but not less than 5 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing, any interested person may file with the circuit clerk his objections (1) that the territory described in the petition or ordinance, as the case may be, is not contiguous to the annexing municipality, (2) that the petition is not signed by the requisite number of electors or property owners of record, (3) that the description of the territory contained in the petition or ordinance, as the case may be, is inadequate, or (4) that the objector's land is located on the perimeter of such territory, that he does not desire annexation, and that exclusion of his land will not destroy the contiguity of such described property with the annexing municipality. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 3740.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-4) Sec. 7-1-4. The cause shall be heard without further pleadings. At the hearing the objector may be heard in person or by counsel. Prior to hearing evidence on the validity of the annexation petition or ordinance, the court shall hear and determine any objection under sub-paragraph (4) of Section 7-1-3. If the court is satisfied that such objection is valid, it shall order the petition or ordinance to be amended to eliminate such objector's land from the territory sought to be annexed. Thereafter upon this hearing the only matter for determination shall be the validity of the annexation petition or ordinance, as the case may be, and the decision of the court shall be final. All petitions shall be supported by an affidavit of one or more of the petitioners, or some one on their behalf, that the signatures on the petition represent a majority of the property owners of record of land in the territory described and a majority of the electors of the territory therein described. Petitions so verified shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of such facts. If the court finds that (1) the annexation petition is not signed by the requisite number of electors or property owners of record; or (2) that the described property is not contiguous to the annexing municipality; or (3) that the description is materially defective; or (4) that the petition or ordinance, as the case may be, is otherwise invalid, the court shall dismiss the petition or ordinance, as the case may be. But if the court finds that the petition or ordinance, as the case may be, is valid, the court shall (1) enter an order describing the territory to be annexed, (2) find that the petition or ordinance, as the case may be, conforms to this Article, and (3) direct that the question of annexation be submitted to the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality or to the electors of the unincorporated territory, as the case may be, for final action. A certified copy of the order of the court directing that the question of annexation be submitted to the corporate authorities shall be sent to the clerk of the annexing municipality. Appeals shall lie from any final order of the court as in other civil actions. (Source: P.A. 81-448.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-5) Sec. 7-1-5. After the clerk receives the certified copy of the order of the court, the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall proceed to consider the question of the annexation of the described territory. A majority vote of the corporate authorities then holding office is required to annex. The vote shall be by "ayes" and "noes" entered on the legislative records. Except as is otherwise provided in Section 7-1-1, this decision shall be effective after the expiration of 30 days unless a referendum on the question is ordered by the corporate authorities or unless a petition for a referendum is filed. If no referendum is ordered by the corporate authorities and no petition for a referendum is filed, the municipal clerk shall, promptly after the expiration of the 30 days, send written notice of the annexation by registered mail to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the annexed territory is described. If a municipal clerk fails to send any notice to a highway commissioner as required by this Section, the municipality shall reimburse the road district served by that highway commissioner for any loss or liability caused by that failure. (Source: P.A. 87-533.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-5.1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-5.1) Sec. 7-1-5.1. (a) This Section shall apply when the following conditions are met with respect to any tract within the territory sought to be annexed: (1) the tract is commercial or industrial property; (2) the tract is owned by a single owner; (3) the tract is all or part of a parcel that lies on both sides of the Illinois and Michigan Canal; (4) the tract is all or part of a parcel containing more than 800 acres; and (5) the tract is located entirely within a county having a population of at least 300,000 but not more than 400,000. (b) If the conditions of subsection (a) are met, then the following shall apply: (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7-1-2, the notice of the annexation petition or ordinance, as the case may be, shall be given by the petitioner or corporate authorities, as the case may be, by publishing such notice in one newspaper of general circulation for 3 consecutive days, the third day of publication being not less than 30 and not more than 45 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing. (2) Every owner of record of commercial or industrial property of 50 acres or more which lies within the territory to be annexed shall be notified by the petitioner or corporate authorities, as the case may be, by certified mail, of the public hearing, any meeting of the corporate authorities where a vote is to be taken in regard to the proposed annexation, and any impending referendum to annex, at least 30 days prior to any such public hearing, meeting, or referendum. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7-1-5, the ordinance shall be enacted not less than 30 and not more than 45 days after the public hearing. (4) No territory shall be annexed by any proceeding which does not require the consent of the owner of record unless at least one-third of such territory is used and occupied for residential purposes at the time of annexation. (Source: P.A. 85-1421.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-5.2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-5.2) Sec. 7-1-5.2. Annexation of contiguous territory contributing to groundwater contamination. (a) The corporate authorities of a municipality adjoining unincorporated territory in which the majority of residential, business, commercial, and industrial structures and improvements are contaminating the groundwater of the State through the direct discharge of sanitary sewerage into underground mines and Class 5 injection wells, as defined by the Illinois Groundwater Pollution Control Code, may annex that territory, in whole or in part, after adopting an ordinance to that effect and filing it with the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the territory is located. The ordinance shall certify the following: (1) That the territory sought to be annexed is

contiguous to the municipality seeking annexation and not within the corporate boundaries of any other municipality.

(2) That a survey of all residential, business,

commercial, and industrial structures and improvements in the territory sought to be annexed has shown that a majority of those structures and improvements are discharging untreated sanitary sewerage directly into underground mines or Class 5 injection wells as defined by the Illinois Groundwater Pollution Control Code.

(3) That the corporate authorities of the

municipality seeking annexation have approved a plan for eliminating groundwater contamination by providing sanitary sewerage collection and treatment facilities to serve the territory sought to be annexed within 5 years from the date of annexation to the municipality.

(4) That no tract of land in excess of 10 acres has

been included in the ordinance without the express consent of the owner or owners of the tract.

The circuit court shall enter an order fixing the date and time for a hearing on the proposed annexation. The date for the hearing shall be not less than 20 nor more than 30 days after the filing of the ordinance. The corporate authorities shall give notice of the proposed annexation 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 shall give the substance of the ordinance, including a description of the territory to be annexed, the name of the annexing municipality, and the date fixed for the hearing. This notice shall be given by publishing it at least once in one or more newspapers published in the annexing municipality. A copy of this notice shall be filed with the clerk of the annexing municipality. The corporate authorities shall pay to the clerk of the circuit court $10 as a filing and service fee, and no ordinance shall be filed until this fee is paid. (b) After the filing of the ordinance, but not less than 5 days before the date fixed for the hearing, any interested person may file with the clerk of the circuit court objections (i) that the territory described in the ordinance is not contiguous to the annexing municipality, (ii) that all or a portion of the territory described in the ordinance is included within the boundaries of another municipality, (iii) that a majority of all residential, business, commercial, and industrial structures and improvements in the territory sought to be annexed are not discharging untreated sanitary sewerage directly into underground mines or Class 5 injection wells as defined by the Illinois Groundwater Pollution Control Code, (iv) that the corporate authorities of the municipality seeking annexation do not have a plan for eliminating groundwater contamination by providing sanitary sewerage collection and treatment facilities to serve the territory sought to be annexed within 5 years from the date of annexation to the municipality, (v) that the description of the territory contained in the ordinance is inadequate, or (vi) that a tract of land in excess of 10 acres has been included in the ordinance without the express consent of the owner or owners of the tract. (c) The cause shall be heard without further pleadings. At the hearing the objectors may be heard in person or by counsel. The court shall hear and determine only objections set forth in subsection (b). The only matters for determination at the hearing shall be the validity of the annexation ordinance, and the decision of the court shall be final. If the court finds (i) that the territory described in the ordinance is not contiguous to the annexing municipality, (ii) that all or a portion of the territory described in the ordinance is included within the boundaries of another municipality, (iii) that a majority of all residential, business, commercial, and industrial structures and improvements in the territory sought to be annexed are not discharging untreated sanitary sewerage directly into underground mines or Class 5 injection wells as defined by the Illinois Groundwater Pollution Control Code, (iv) that the corporate authorities of the municipality seeking annexation do not have a plan for eliminating groundwater contamination by providing sanitary sewerage collection and treatment facilities to serve the territory sought to be annexed within 5 years from the date of annexation to the municipality, (v) that the description of the territory contained in the ordinance is inadequate, or (vi) that a tract of land in excess of 10 acres has been included in the ordinance without the express consent of the owner or owners of the tract, then the court shall find the ordinance invalid and dismiss the petition. If the court finds that the ordinance is valid, the court shall (i) enter an order describing the territory to be annexed, (ii) find that the ordinance complies with this Section, and (iii) direct that the question of annexation be submitted to the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality for final action. A certified copy of the order of the court directing that the question of annexation be submitted to the corporate authorities shall be sent to the clerk of the annexing municipality. A final order of the court may be appealed as in other civil actions. (d) After the municipal clerk receives the certified copy of the court order, the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall proceed to consider the question of the annexation of the described territory. A majority vote of the corporate authorities then holding office is required to annex the territory. The vote shall be by "ayes" and "nays" entered on the legislative records of the municipality. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7-1-1, this decision of the corporate authorities shall be effective after the expiration of 30 days. (Source: P.A. 87-1196.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-5.3) Sec. 7-1-5.3. Planned unit development; rail-trail. When a developer petitions a municipality to annex property for a planned unit development of residential, commercial, or industrial sub-divisions that is located adjacent to a former railroad right-of-way that has been converted to a recreational trail ("rail-trail") that is owned by the State, a unit of local government, or a non-profit organization, the municipality shall notify the State, unit of local government, or non-profit organization and furnish the proposed development plans to the State, unit of local government, or non-profit organization for review. The municipality shall require the developer petitioning for annexation to reasonably accommodate the rail-trail and modify its proposed development plans to ensure against adverse impacts to the users of the rail-trail or the natural and built resources within the right-of-way. If the municipality does not require the developer to make a modification prior to annexation, the municipality shall provide a written explanation to the State, unit of local government, or non-profit organization owning the rail-trail. The intent of this review and planning process is to ensure that no development along a rail-trail negatively affects the safety of users or the natural and built resources within the right-of-way. (Source: P.A. 94-361, eff. 1-1-06.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-6) Sec. 7-1-6. (a) If the vote is in favor of annexing the described territory, the corporate authorities on their own motion may order a referendum on the question. If the corporate authorities reject annexation, or do not order a referendum, then within the 30 day period a petition may be filed with the municipal clerk requesting that the question of the annexation of the described territory be submitted to the electors of the annexing municipality. The petition shall be signed by electors of the annexing municipality equal in number to 10% of the entire vote cast for all candidates for mayor or president of the annexing municipality at the last preceding general municipal election. The municipal clerk shall certify the proposition to the proper election authority for submission to the electors at an election in accordance with the general election law and shall send, by registered mail, a notice of the date of the prospective referendum to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the described territory is situated. (b) If a majority of the electors voting on this question favor annexation, the decision of the corporate authorities, if in favor of annexation, shall be final. If a majority of the electors voting on this question favor annexation, after the corporate authorities have rejected annexation, the decision of the electors shall be final. In either case, the described territory shall thereupon be a part of the annexing municipality. (c) If the vote is against annexation, no further proceedings shall be had on that petition for annexation, and no action in favor of the annexation shall have any effect. After the referendum, the municipal clerk shall promptly send written notice of the results of the referendum by registered mail to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the described territory is situated. This, however, shall not prevent the subsequent annexation of the described territory upon another petition. (d) If a municipal clerk fails to send any notice to a highway commissioner as required by this Section, the municipality shall reimburse the road district served by that highway commissioner for any loss or liability caused by that failure. (Source: P.A. 87-533.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-7) Sec. 7-1-7. (a) If the court finds that an annexation ordinance is valid, the court shall enter an order directing the submission of the question of annexation of the unincorporated territory to the electors of that territory at an election in accordance with the general election law and directing the clerk of the annexing municipality to send, by registered mail, a notice of the date of the prospective referendum to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the territory proposed to be annexed is situated. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the question for submission. (b) If a majority of those casting ballots favor annexation, the described territory shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 7-1-1, thereupon be a part of the annexing municipality. Within 15 days after the referendum, the clerk of the annexing municipality shall promptly send written notice of the results of the referendum by registered mail to the highway commissioner of each road district within which the territory is situated. (c) If a municipal clerk fails to send any notice to a highway commissioner as required by this Section, the municipality shall reimburse the road district served by that highway commissioner for any loss or liability caused by that failure. (Source: P.A. 87-533; 88-355.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-8) Sec. 7-1-8. Any territory which is not within the corporate limits of any municipality but which is contiguous to a municipality at the time of annexation and which territory has no electors residing therein, or any such territory with electors residing therein, may be annexed to the municipality in the following manner: a written petition signed by the owners of record of all land within such territory and by at least 51% of the electors residing therein shall be filed with the municipal clerk. The petition shall request annexation and shall state that no electors reside therein or that at least 51% of such electors residing therein join in the petition, whichever shall be the case, and shall be under oath. The corporate authorities of the municipality to which annexation is sought shall then consider the question of the annexation of the described territory. A majority vote of the corporate authorities then holding office is required to annex. The vote shall be by "yeas" and "nays" entered on the legislative records. A copy of the ordinance annexing the territory together with an accurate map of the annexed territory shall be recorded with the recorder and filed with the County Clerk within the county wherever the annexed territory is located. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-9) Sec. 7-1-9. Whenever any contiguous, uninhabited, unincorporated territory is owned by any municipality, that territory may be annexed by that municipality by the passage of an ordinance to that effect, describing the territory to be annexed. A copy of the ordinance, with an accurate map of the annexed territory shall be recorded with the recorder of the county wherein the annexed territory is located and a document of annexation shall be filed with the county clerk and County Election Authority. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-10) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-10) Sec. 7-1-10. Any municipality by ordinance may annex any territory contiguous to it even though the annexed territory is dedicated or used for street or highway purposes under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois, or a county or township highway department if no part of the annexed territory is within any other municipality. After the passage of the ordinance of annexation a copy of the ordinance, with an accurate map of the territory annexed, certified as correct by the clerk of the municipality, shall be filed with the recorder of the county in which the annexed territory is situated and a document of annexation shall be filed with the county clerk and County Election Authority. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-10.5) Sec. 7-1-10.5. Disconnection or de-annexation of annexed highways. Notwithstanding any other law or regulation, if any highway that was, prior to annexation, a township highway is disconnected or de-annexed within one year after the original annexation, the jurisdiction of the highway shall revert back to the township that had jurisdiction immediately before the annexation. (Source: P.A. 100-350, eff. 8-25-17.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-11) Sec. 7-1-11. The following is an optional method of annexing any territory which, (1) is not less than one square mile in area; (2) contains at least 500 inhabitants; (3) is not included within any municipality; and (4) is contiguous to a municipality having not more than 100,000 inhabitants. Such territory may be annexed to a municipality of the specified sort as follows: A petition, signed by not less than 100 of the electors of the territory sought to be annexed and by the owners of record of more than 50% of such territory, shall be filed with the circuit court for the county in which the territory is situated. The petition shall request that the question of annexation of the territory described therein be submitted to the electors of the territory. No tract of land in excess of 10 acres in area shall be included in the annexation petition without the express consent of the owner thereof unless the tract is (1) subdivided into lots or blocks; or (2) bounded on at least 3 sides by lands subdivided into lots or blocks. The owner of record of land comprising any part of the perimeter of the territory sought to be annexed may apply to the court for the exclusion of his land from the territory described in such petition. The court shall grant such application if the exclusion of such land will not destroy the contiguity of the land sought to be annexed with the annexing municipality. After considering any such application, the court shall order the question submitted within the territory at an election in accordance with the general election law. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the question to the proper election authority for submission. The result of the election shall be entered of record in the court. If a majority of the votes cast on the question favor annexation, the court shall then give notice thereof to the corporate authorities of the proposed annexing municipality. The corporate authorities shall then vote on the question of such annexation and if a majority of their membership, by a vote recorded in the minutes, vote in favor of the annexation, an ordinance shall be passed annexing the territory. The clerk of the annexing municipality shall certify and file a copy of the annexation ordinance with a map showing the boundary lines of the territory annexed, with the recorder of the county in which the municipality is located and a document of annexation shall be filed with the county clerk and County Election Authority. If the question of such annexation does not receive the requisite majority vote of the corporate authorities, the municipal clerk shall certify the question at an election in accordance with the general election law. If a majority of persons voting upon the question vote for annexation, the described territory is annexed to the annexing municipality. The clerk of the annexing municipality shall certify and file a statement of the annexation proceeding with a map showing the boundary lines of the territory annexed, as provided in this section. If a majority of persons voting on the question vote against annexation, no further proceedings shall be had on the question for at least 22 months from the date of such election. (Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-12) Sec. 7-1-12. Upon a written petition which is signed by a majority of the owners of record of land in any contiguous unincorporated territory wholly bounded by 2 or more municipalities and after the notice required by this Section has been given, the specified territory may be annexed by any one of the specified municipalities by the passage of an ordinance providing therefor. The corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall cause notice of the filing of such petition to be published once, in a newspaper of general circulation within the territory to be annexed, not less than 10 days before the passage of the annexation ordinance. When the territory to be annexed lies wholly or partially within a township other than that township where the municipality is situated, the annexing municipality shall give at least 10 days prior written notice of the time and place of the passage of the annexation ordinance to the township supervisor of the township where the territory to be annexed lies. The ordinance shall describe the territory annexed, which may not exceed 1/3 the area of the annexing municipality before the annexation. A copy of the annexing ordinance and an accurate map of the annexed territory shall be recorded by the recorder of the county wherein the annexed territory is situated and a document of annexation shall be filed with the county clerk and County Election Authority. (Source: P.A. 86-769.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-13) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-13)Sec. 7-1-13. Annexation. (a) Whenever any unincorporated territory containing 60 acres or less, is wholly bounded by (a) one or more municipalities, (b) one or more municipalities and a creek in a county with a population of 400,000 or more, or one or more municipalities and a river or lake in any county, (c) one or more municipalities and the Illinois State boundary, (d) except as provided in item (h) of this subsection (a), one or more municipalities and property owned by the State of Illinois, except highway right-of-way owned in fee by the State, (e) one or more municipalities and a forest preserve district or park district, (f) if the territory is a triangular parcel of less than 10 acres, one or more municipalities and an interstate highway owned in fee by the State and bounded by a frontage road, (g) one or more municipalities in a county with a population of more than 800,000 inhabitants and less than 2,000,000 inhabitants and either a railroad or operating property, as defined in the Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/11-70), being immediately adjacent to, but exclusive of that railroad property, (h) one or more municipalities located within a county with a population of more than 800,000 inhabitants and less than 2,000,000 inhabitants and property owned by the State, including without limitation a highway right-of-way owned in fee by the State, or (i) one or more municipalities and property on which a federally funded research facility in excess of 2,000 acres is located, that territory may be annexed by any municipality by which it is bounded in whole or in part, by the passage of an ordinance to that effect after notice is given as provided in subsection (b) of this Section. Land or property that is used for agricultural purposes or to produce agricultural goods shall not be annexed pursuant to item (g). Nothing in this Section shall subject any railroad property to the zoning or jurisdiction of any municipality annexing the property under this Section. The ordinance shall describe the territory annexed and a copy thereof together with an accurate map of the annexed territory shall be recorded in the office of the recorder of the county wherein the annexed territory is situated and a document of annexation shall be filed with the county clerk and County Election Authority. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as permitting a municipality to annex territory of a forest preserve district in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more without obtaining the consent of the district pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act nor shall anything in this Section be construed as permitting a municipality to annex territory owned by a park district without obtaining the consent of the district pursuant to Section 8-1.1 of the Park District Code.(b) The corporate authorities shall cause notice, stating that annexation of the territory described in the notice is contemplated under this Section, to be published once, in a newspaper of general circulation within the territory to be annexed, not less than 10 days before the passage of the annexation ordinance, and for land annexed pursuant to item (g) of subsection (a) of this Section, notice shall be given to the impacted land owners. The corporate authorities shall also, not less than 15 days before the passage of the annexation ordinance, serve written notice, either in person or, at a minimum, by certified mail, on the taxpayer of record of the proposed annexed territory as appears from the authentic tax records of the county. When the territory to be annexed lies wholly or partially within a township other than the township where the municipality is situated, the annexing municipality shall give at least 10 days prior written notice of the time and place of the passage of the annexation ordinance to the township supervisor of the township where the territory to be annexed lies. If the territory to be annexed lies within the unincorporated area of a county, then the annexing municipality shall give at least 10 days' prior written notice of the time and place of the passage of the annexation ordinance to the corporate authorities of the county where the territory to be annexed lies.(c) When notice is given as described in subsection (b) of this Section, no other municipality may annex the proposed territory for a period of 60 days from the date the notice is mailed or delivered to the taxpayer of record unless that other municipality has initiated annexation proceedings or a valid petition as described in Section 7-1-2, 7-1-8, 7-1-11 or 7-1-12 of this Code has been received by the municipality prior to the publication and mailing of the notices required in subsection (b). (Source: P.A. 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10; 96-1048, eff. 7-14-10; 96-1049, eff. 7-14-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11; 97-446, eff. 8-19-11.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-14) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-14) Sec. 7-1-14. Whenever real estate owned by any school district is situated in unincorporated territory adjacent to any municipality it may be annexed thereto as follows: The board of directors or board of education of the school district shall adopt a resolution recommending the annexation of such real estate by the municipality. The resolution shall contain a complete description of such real estate. The resolution shall direct the clerk or secretary of the school board to transmit a copy thereof to the corporate authorities of the municipality. If such corporate authorities, by a majority vote of the members then holding office, enact an ordinance providing for annexation of such real estate, it shall be considered as annexed. The ordinance shall describe the territory annexed, and a copy thereof and an accurate map of such territory shall be recorded in the office of the recorder of the county or counties wherein the annexed territory is situated. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-15) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-15) Sec. 7-1-15. Any municipality may be annexed to another municipality to which it adjoins, by ordinances passed by a majority vote of all the aldermen, trustees, or commissioners then holding office in each municipality desiring annexation. These ordinances shall specify the terms of the annexation, and they shall be a binding contract if, but only if: (1) the annexation provided in these ordinances is certified by the clerk to the proper election authority who shall submit the question to a vote of the electors of both municipalities at an election in accordance with the general election law; and if (2) the annexation is approved in each municipality by a majority of all the voters voting on that question in each municipality. If the ordinances fail to specify the terms of annexation or specify only partially the terms of annexation, the provisions of this article relating to the annexation of one municipality to another shall apply but not as to any terms agreed to in the ordinances of annexation. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shall the municipality of YES.... be annexed to the municipality -------------------------of....?NO-------------------------------------------------------------- Annexation shall neither affect nor impair any rights or liabilities either in favor of or against either municipality. Actions founded upon any right or liability may be commenced despite the annexation and, together with pending actions, may be prosecuted to final judgment and the enforcement thereof as if annexation had not taken place. (Source: P.A. 84-546.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-16) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-16) Sec. 7-1-16. Where a municipality adjoins another municipality in one or more portions of its boundaries, it may be annexed thereto as follows, notwithstanding that territory not a part of either of the municipalities may lie between or be surrounded by the municipalities: A petition shall be presented to the circuit court for the county, wherein the annexing municipality is situated, asking that the question of annexation be submitted to the electors of both municipalities. The petition shall be signed by not less than 10% of the total number of electors of the municipality sought to be annexed who voted at the last preceding general municipal election or 250 such electors, whichever figure is the smaller. Furthermore, if a majority of those voting, in a municipality sought to be annexed, upon the question of annexation vote against the annexation of that municipality when the question is first submitted, any petition thereafter presented to the court for the annexation of the same municipality shall be signed by not less than 1/8 of the electors of that municipality who voted at the last preceding general municipal election. The court thereupon shall order the question of annexation submitted to the electors of both municipalities at an election to be held in each municipality. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the question to the proper election authorities at an election in accordance with the general election law for submission. No election on the question of annexation shall be held within 22 months after the same question has been voted upon. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-17) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-17) Sec. 7-1-17. The question cast at this election shall be in substantially the following form: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shall the municipality of YES.... be annexed to the -------------------------------municipality of....? NO-------------------------------------------------------------- If, in each municipality, a majority of the electors voting upon the question of annexation vote for annexation, the annexation shall, except as is otherwise provided in Section 7-1-1, be effective and the jurisdiction of the annexing municipality shall extend over the territory of the annexed municipality. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-18) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-18) Sec. 7-1-18. The municipality to which the whole of another municipality is annexed under Section 7-1-16 and 7-1-17 shall assume and pay all debts and liabilities, and shall perform all contracts of the annexed municipality. Upon annexation, the title to all property which belonged to the annexed municipality vests in the annexing municipality, to be held, however, for the same purposes and uses, and subject to the same conditions as before annexation. The annexing municipality shall assume and pay all debts and liabilities and shall perform all contracts of all school districts and townships wholly within the annexing municipality as it has been enlarged. The annexing municipality is vested with the title to all property belonging to all school districts and townships wholly within the enlarged annexing municipality, to be held, however, for the same purposes and uses and subject to the same conditions as before annexation. If the bonds of the annexed municipality, or of any school district or township now wholly within the enlarged annexing municipality, have been registered with the State Auditor of Public Accounts, the county clerk of the county wherein the annexing municipality is situated shall certify forthwith the fact of the annexation to the State Auditor. The State Auditor thereafter shall not certify any tax rate to the county clerk, nor shall the county clerk thereafter extend any tax rate, for the payment of the bonds, or interest thereon, merely upon the taxable property in the municipality that has been annexed, or in the school district or township that is wholly within the enlarged annexing municipality. All property in the enlarged annexing municipality, without discrimination between the territory in the annexed and the annexing municipalities, shall be subject to taxation to pay the debts, bonds, and obligations of the municipality. If a portion of a school district or township is within and a portion is without the annexed municipality, the debts and liabilities of that school district or township shall be paid and the property divided in the same manner as is provided in Sections 7-1-31 and 7-1-32. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-18.5) Sec. 7-1-18.5. Maintenance of sanitary sewers. A municipality located in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more to which territory is annexed after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly is responsible for the operation and maintenance of any existing sanitary sewerage system serving the annexed territory, unless the sanitary sewerage system is under the jurisdiction of another unit of local government other than the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. (Source: P.A. 92-255, eff. 8-3-01.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-19) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-19) Sec. 7-1-19. When the whole of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, and the annexed municipality has passed the annual appropriation ordinance, but not an ordinance levying a tax for the purpose of collecting a sufficient sum of money to defray the total amount of appropriations for all corporate purposes for that fiscal year, the annexing municipality may include the amount of the appropriations of the annexed municipality in the annual tax levy of the annexing municipality, the same as though the appropriations had been made by the annexing municipality. The fund derived from this part of the tax levy shall be used by the annexing municipality for the purpose for which the appropriations were made by the annexed municipality. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-20) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-20) Sec. 7-1-20. The annexation of the whole of a municipality to another municipality, shall not adversely affect proceedings for the collection or enforcement of any tax or special assessment, but they shall proceed to a finality as though no annexation had taken place. The proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the treasurer of the annexing municipality, to be used, however, for the purpose for which the tax was levied or assessed. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-21) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-21) Sec. 7-1-21. All suits pending in any court on behalf of or against any municipality, when the whole municipality is annexed to another municipality, may be prosecuted or defended in the name of the annexed municipality. All judgments obtained for any annexed municipality shall be collected and enforced by the annexing municipality for its benefit. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-22) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-22) Sec. 7-1-22. Upon the annexation of the whole of a municipality to another municipality, all public books, papers, and documents filed in any office or with any officer of the annexed municipality, shall be transferred to and filed in the appropriate office or with the appropriate officer of the annexing municipality, as the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall direct. All persons having possession of these books, papers, and documents shall deliver them to and file them in or with the appropriate office or officer. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-23) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-23) Sec. 7-1-23. Upon the annexation of the whole of a municipality to another municipality, all policemen and firemen lawfully in the employ of the annexed municipality shall be transferred to and become a part of the police department and fire department, respectively, of the annexing municipality. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-24) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-24) Sec. 7-1-24. On petition in writing, signed by one-half of the electors and one-half of the owners of record of land in any territory, not exceeding in area 160 acres, situated within any municipality, which territory is contiguous to another municipality, the corporate authorities of the municipality within which the territory is situated, may consent, by ordinance, that this territory be disconnected from such municipality and annexed to the other municipality to which the territory is contiguous. The ordinance must be passed by a majority vote of the corporate authorities of the disconnecting municipality. Thereupon the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality, by ordinance passed by a majority vote, may annex the territory. The territory, however, shall not be disconnected from the municipality of which it is a part until it is annexed to the municipality to which it is contiguous. The clerk of the annexing municipality, within 90 days after the passage of the annexing ordinance, shall file for recordation a certified copy of the ordinance, with an accurate map of the territory annexed, with the recorder of the county in which the annexed territory is situated. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-25) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-25) Sec. 7-1-25. Any unoccupied territory, lying along the boundary line between 2 adjoining municipalities, may be excluded from one of the adjoining municipalities and annexed to the other adjoining municipality, as follows: The corporate authorities of the excluding municipality shall adopt an ordinance providing for such exclusion, and the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall adopt an ordinance providing for the annexation of this territory. Upon the adoption of these ordinances, the territory is thereby excluded from the one municipality and annexed to the other. The chief executive officer of each municipality thereupon shall file for recordation an accurate map of the excluded or added territory, as the case may be, together with a certified copy of the ordinance for exclusion or annexation with the recorder of the county in which the excluded or added territory, as the case may be, is situated. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-26) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-26) Sec. 7-1-26. Any territory containing 60 acres or less lying along one or both sides of the boundary line between 2 adjoining municipalities, and contiguous to a third municipality may be excluded from one or both of the adjoining municipalities and annexed to the third contiguous municipality, as follows: The corporate authorities of the excluding municipalities or municipality shall, by majority vote of the corporate authorities then holding office, adopt an ordinance providing for such exclusion, and the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality shall adopt an ordinance providing for the annexation of this territory. Upon the adoption of these ordinances, the territory is thereby excluded from the excluding municipalities and added to the annexing municipality. The chief executive officer of each municipality thereupon shall file for recordation an accurate map of the excluded or added territory, as the case may be, together with a certified copy of the ordinance for exclusion or annexation with the recorder of the county in which the excluded or added territory, as the case may be, is situated. The ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the excluding and annexing municipalities and shall contain a notice of (1) the specific number of voters required to sign a petition requesting the question of disconnection and annexation to be submitted to the electors; (2) the time in which such petition must be filed; and (3) the date of the prospective referendum. The clerks of the municipalities in which the territory is sought to be disconnected or annexed shall provide a petition form to any individual requesting one. Whenever any disconnection and annexation shall be effected as provided in this Section any taxpayer in such area disconnected and annexed may, within 10 days after adoption of the annexing ordinance, file with the clerk of the circuit court in the county wherein the disconnected and annexed area is located a petition signed by not less than 10% or 100, whichever is lesser, of the electors of the area disconnected and annexed, requesting the submission to a referendum of the following proposition: "Shall the territory (here describe it) be disconnected from the municipality of .... and annexed to the municipality of ....?" The circuit court, if it finds the petition to be in conformity with law, shall order that the proposition be submitted at an election to be conducted in accordance with the general election law. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the proposition to the proper election authority for submission. If a majority of the voters voting on the proposition vote in favor thereof, such disconnection and annexation shall be valid and binding. If a majority of the vote is against such proposition the disconnection ordinance adopted by the disconnecting municipality and the annexation ordinance adopted by the annexing municipality shall be void. (Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-27) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-27) Sec. 7-1-27. Territory, within a municipality, which (1) is not less than one-half square mile in area, but less than the whole of the municipality, and which (2) is contiguous to another municipality, may be annexed to the latter municipality as follows: A petition, signed by not less than 100 of the electors of the territory, shall be presented to the circuit court for the county wherein the annexing municipality is situated. The petition shall describe the territory and request that the question of the annexation of the territory be submitted to the electors of the territory and also to the electors of the disconnecting and annexing municipalities. If the petition is in conformity with the law, the court shall order the question of annexation of the territory submitted to the specified electors at a general municipal election to be held in each of the municipalities affected. The clerk of the circuit court shall certify the question for submission. No election for the annexation of any part of a municipality to another municipality shall be held within 22 months after a proposition to annex the whole or any part of a municipality to another municipality has been voted upon at any election. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-28) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-28) Sec. 7-1-28. The question shall be in substantially the following form: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shall the territory (heredescribe it) be disconnected YESfrom the municipality of....--------------------------and annexed to the municipality NOof....?-------------------------------------------------------------- The certificate shall include in the results statements of the total vote cast at the election and the vote for and against the proposition in each municipality and in the territory sought to be annexed alone. If a majority of the voters in the territory sought to be annexed, voting upon the proposition at any election, vote against disconnection and annexation, any petition thereafter presented to the court for disconnection and annexation of the same territory shall be signed by not less than 1/8 of the electors of the territory sought to be annexed. If a majority of the voters of each municipality, as well as a majority of the voters within the limits of the territory sought to be annexed, voting upon the question of disconnection and annexation, vote "Yes", the jurisdiction of the annexing municipality is extended over the territory sought to be annexed, and the disconnecting municipality loses jurisdiction over the territory. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-29) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-29) Sec. 7-1-29. If, as provided in Sections 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 7-1-27 and 7-1-28, petitions are presented to the court for the annexation of the whole and also for the annexation of a part or parts of a municipality to another municipality, the court shall order submitted to the electors the question specified in each petition. If the result of the voting at the election is against annexation of the whole, but favors annexation of a part, which is contiguous to the annexing municipality, this part is annexed to the annexing municipality, despite the unfavorable vote as to the annexation of the whole municipality. The same shall be true if the vote favors annexation of 2 or more parts, if the parts form a contiguous territory which is also contiguous to the annexing municipality. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-30) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-30) Sec. 7-1-30. Whenever a part of a municipality has been annexed to an adjoining township, which is wholly within the limits of another municipality, under the Township Code, the annexed territory may be annexed to the municipality within which the township lies as follows: A petition may be presented to the county board of the county within which is situated the annexing municipality. It shall be signed by a majority of the electors of the territory annexed to the township. If the county board finds that the petition is signed by a majority of the electors of the territory, it shall annex the territory to the designated municipality by resolution. Thereupon, except as is otherwise provided in Section 7-1-1, the limits and the authority of the annexing municipality shall be extended to include the territory previously annexed to the township. (Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-31) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-31) Sec. 7-1-31. After a part of a municipality is disconnected and annexed to another municipality, the indebtedness and liabilities of the municipality from which the part is disconnected shall be assumed and paid by the enlarged annexing municipality, in the same proportion as the taxable property in the disconnected part bears to the taxable property in the municipality from which the part was disconnected as it existed immediately before the disconnection, according to the last assessment for taxation. This duty to assume and pay a proportionate share of indebtedness and liabilities shall also apply to the indebtedness and liabilities of the school district or township in which the disconnected part was situated. The amount of the indebtedness and liabilities to be assumed and paid by the enlarged annexing municipality shall be determined by the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality and of the municipality from which a part was disconnected, or, as the case may be, by the school authorities of the school district or township in which the disconnected part was situated. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-32) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-32) Sec. 7-1-32. If the specified authorities agree as to the amount to be paid by the enlarged annexing municipality, each of the authorities concerned shall pass an ordinance or a resolution reciting the amount to be paid. A certified copy of the ordinance or resolution shall be filed by the clerk of the annexing municipality with the county clerk of the county in which the annexing municipality is situated. The county clerk shall send a certified copy to the State Auditor of Public Accounts. This ordinance or resolution shall be conclusive as to the amount of indebtedness and liabilities to be assumed and paid by the enlarged annexing municipality. If the authorities cannot agree, the matter shall be determined by the circuit court of the county in which the annexing municipality is situated, upon a petition of either municipality or of any taxpayer of either municipality. The court shall hear the controversy without further pleadings, and without a jury, and then shall pronounce a judgment in accordance with the rule of apportionment stated in Section 7-1-31. A certified copy of the judgment shall be filed with the clerk of each municipality and with the county clerk of the county in which the annexing municipality is situated. The county clerk shall send a certified copy of the judgment to the State Auditor of Public Accounts. The judgment shall be final and conclusive as to the indebtedness and liabilities to be assumed and paid by the enlarged annexing municipality. The State Auditor shall not thereafter certify any tax rate to the county clerk, nor shall the county clerk extend any tax rate upon the taxable property of the annexed part for the payment of any of the bonds, or interest thereon, issued by the municipality from which the part was disconnected. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 3740.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-33) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-33) Sec. 7-1-33. Upon annexation, the title and possession of all municipal and school property located in the annexed part vests in the annexing municipality. There shall be an adjustment of the municipal and school properties owned by the municipality, school district, or township from which a part is disconnected in order that all of this property may be divided between that municipality, school district, or township and the enlarged annexing municipality, on the same basis and by the same authorities or court as is provided in Sections 7-1-31 and 7-1-32 for a division of indebtedness and liabilities. If the public property that becomes vested in the enlarged annexing municipality because of its location in the part that was disconnected and annexed exceeds in value the proportionate part to which the annexing municipality is thus entitled, then the enlarged annexing municipality shall pay to the municipality, school district, or township, as the case may be, a sum equal to the difference between what it received and what it should have received on the basis specified in Sections 7-1-31 and 7-1-32 for the division of indebtedness and liabilities. Likewise, if the public property located in that part of the municipality, school district, or township, that remains after the disconnection occurs, exceeds in value the proportionate part to which the municipality, school district, or township is entitled, then the municipality, school district, or township, as the case may be, shall pay to the enlarged annexing municipality a sum equal to the difference between what it received and what it should have received on the basis specified in Sections 7-1-31 and 7-1-32 for the division of indebtedness and liabilities. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-34) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-34) Sec. 7-1-34. If a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, and if before the annexation the corporate authorities of the divided municipality have made the annual tax levy for the fiscal year in which the annexation occurs, all taxes payable under this levy shall be paid to the treasurer of the divided municipality. But this treasurer shall pay to the treasurer of the annexing municipality that part of all taxes collected on account of the property located in the annexed territory, under the specified levy, as the unexpired part of the fiscal year for the divided municipality bears to its total fiscal year. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-35) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-35) Sec. 7-1-35. If a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, and if proceedings were instituted before annexation to make improvements in or on streets within the annexed territory by special assessment or special taxation, the proceedings may be carried to a finality, whether the whole improvement is within the annexed territory or not. If the whole improvement is made within the annexed territory, the amount collected by the proceedings shall be paid over to the annexing municipality, to be used by that municipality for the purpose for which the proceedings were instituted. If only a part of the improvement is made within the annexed territory, the municipality from which the territory is disconnected may proceed with the improvement as though no annexation had taken place. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-36) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-36) Sec. 7-1-36. After a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, proceedings theretofore instituted to take land for the purpose of opening any street, alley, or other public way, within the annexed territory may proceed to a finality, if the annexing municipality so elects. If the annexing municipality elects to proceed, the proceedings shall be continued in the name of the municipality from which the territory has been disconnected as though the annexed territory had not been disconnected. All funds received from any special assessment or special tax levied or assessed for the special purpose shall be paid to the annexing municipality, to be used by that municipality for the purpose for which the funds were collected. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-37) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-37) Sec. 7-1-37. After a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, both the annexed territory and the divided municipality shall have a right to service from any waterworks, gas, or electric light system, owned, prior to annexation, by the municipality that has been divided, on the same terms, that existed before annexation. The annexed territory or the divided municipality may have its right terminated by the joint action of the corporate authorities of the annexing municipality and of the divided municipality. If they cannot agree, the question of termination shall be determined by the circuit court of the county within which the annexing municipality is situated, on the petition of any interested person. The court shall determine the question without a jury, and shall enter judgment as right and justice require. This judgment shall be appealable as in other civil cases. (Source: P.A. 83-345.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-38) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-38) Sec. 7-1-38. If a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, and if the corporate authorities of the divided municipality and of the annexing municipality cannot agree by ordinance as to their respective rights and duties arising out of the disconnection and annexation, the circuit court of the county within which either municipality is situated, upon petition of either municipality, shall hear and determine the questions in dispute. The court shall enter judgment as the right of the matter may demand and this judgment shall be appealable as in other civil cases. No petition under this section may be filed within 60 days after the annexation, or request the determination of questions arising under Sections 7-1-31 through 7-1-33 and Section 7-1-37. (Source: P.A. 84-547.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-39) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-39) Sec. 7-1-39. After a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, any mayor, president, alderman, trustee, clerk, treasurer, or attorney for the disconnecting municipality, who resides in the detached territory, shall continue in office as an officer of the disconnecting municipality until his successor has been elected at the next regular municipal election in this municipality and has qualified for office, or has been appointed and has qualified following this election. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-40) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-40) Sec. 7-1-40. After any territory is annexed to or disconnected from any municipality, the chief executive officer of the municipality or of the county board, as the case may be, whenever not otherwise provided in this Code, shall within 90 days file for recordation, in the recorder's office of the county where the territory is situated and also in the county where the annexing and divided municipalities are situated, a certified copy of the ordinance, court order or resolution of annexation or disconnection, together with an accurate map of the territory annexed or disconnected. (Source: P.A. 79-1361.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-41) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-41) Sec. 7-1-41. After either the whole or a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, and, despite the construction of sewers in the annexed territory by special assessment, before annexation, the annexing municipality may construct additional sewers or a drainage system by the creation of drainage districts within the annexed territory by special assessment or special taxation. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-42) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-42) Sec. 7-1-42. Redistricting after annexation. (a) If the increase in population resulting from the annexation of any territory to a city under the aldermanic form of government is sufficient to entitle that city to an increase in the number of aldermen as provided in Section 3.1-20-10, the corporate authorities shall redistrict the city in accordance with Sections 3.1-20-15 and 3.1-20-25. Section 3.1-20-10 shall govern as to the hold-over aldermen. (b) If the increase in population is not sufficient to entitle the city to an increase in the number of aldermen, the corporate authorities shall make the annexed territory a part of the ward or wards that it adjoins. (c) If a village of over 25,000 population is divided into 6 districts as provided in Section 3.1-25-75, the corporate authorities shall make any territory annexed to the village a part of the districts that the territory adjoins. (d) Nothing contained in this Section 7-1-42 shall prevent the corporate authorities of any municipality from redistricting the municipality according to law. Whenever the enlarged annexing municipality is redistricted, the corporate authorities are under no duty to treat the annexed territory as a unit and they may divide it as if it had always been a part of the municipality. (e) The number of inhabitants determined by the last national, state, or school census in the annexed territory and in the annexing municipality controls in the application of this Section. (Source: P.A. 87-1119.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-44) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-44) Sec. 7-1-44. All valid ordinances or resolutions of, and all valid decisions determined through a referendum of the voters in, the whole or a part of any municipality which is annexed in whole or part to another municipality, regulating or prohibiting the sale of alcoholic liquor shall remain valid, notwithstanding the annexation, until validly changed by a compliance with "An Act relating to alcoholic liquors," approved January 31, 1934, as heretofore and hereafter amended. However, the local liquor control commission and commissioner of the annexing municipality shall have jurisdiction over the annexed territory. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-45) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-45) Sec. 7-1-45. If the whole or a part of a municipality is annexed to another municipality, all municipal officers, exercising power or authority over the annexed territory before annexation, whether or not the terms for which they have been elected have expired, shall cease to exercise power or authority over the annexed territory. The power and authority of all officers of the annexing municipality shall extend over the territory annexed, immediately upon annexation. (Source: P.A. 77-1295.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-46) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-46) Sec. 7-1-46. Neither the People of the State of Illinois nor any person, firm or corporation, public or private, nor any association of persons shall commence an action contesting either directly or indirectly the annexation of any territory to a municipality unless initiated within one year after the date such annexation becomes final or within one year of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1965 whichever date occurs latest. This amendatory Act of 1965 shall apply to annexations made prior to the effective date of the Act as well as those made on or after the effective date. Where a limitation of a shorter period is prescribed by statute such shorter limitation applies. The limitation set forth in this section shall apply to any annexation, even where the judge, body or officer annexing the territory did not at the time of such annexation have jurisdiction of the subject matter, and irrespective of whether such annexation may otherwise be defective or void, except that the limitation of this Section shall not apply to annexations of territory which was not contiguous at the time of annexation and is not contiguous at the time an action is brought to contest such annexation. (Source: P.A. 82-211.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-47) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-47) Sec. 7-1-47. Automatic zoning classification. The corporate authorities of any municipality may provide by ordinance that when territory is annexed to such municipality, the territory automatically is classified to the highest restrictive zoning classification providing principally for residential use under the annexing municipality's zoning ordinance. (Source: P.A. 90-481, eff. 8-17-97.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-48) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-1-48) Sec. 7-1-48. For all annexations under this Article 7: (a) Except as may be otherwise expressly restricted, territory comprising more than one parcel of record, or more than one unsubdivided parcel, or more than one portion of a parcel, or owned by more than one owner of record, or any combination of the foregoing, may be annexed in a single annexation proceeding; (b) If any annexation shall not be in compliance with applicable requirements of this Article 7, and if such non-compliance relates only to one or more parcels or portions of the territory annexed or to be annexed, but does not relate to the entire annexation proceeding or to a substantial portion of the total area annexed, such annexation shall nonetheless be valid as to the remainder of the annexed territory, unless the exclusion or disconnection of the non-complying area would destroy the contiguity of any of the remaining territory; (c) In any proper proceeding, upon a judicial determination of partial invalidity of an annexation which has otherwise been completed, the court may, as equity may require, order the disconnection of the invalidly annexed parcels or portions, in which event the municipality shall promptly prepare and record a plat of disconnection of such area with the recorder of the county in which the land is situated, and shall immediately notify the county clerk of such disconnection. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-1-49) Sec. 7-1-49. Automatic annexation. As provided in Section 8 of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act, 60 days before the sale of any surplus real estate that is located in unincorporated territory and that is contiguous to only one municipality, the sanitary district shall notify in writing the contiguous municipality of the proposed sale. Before the sale of the real estate, the municipality shall notify in writing the sanitary district that the municipality will or will not annex the surplus real estate. If the contiguous municipality will annex such surplus real estate, then it shall be automatically annexed to the contiguous municipality coincident with the completion of the sale of that real estate by the sanitary district. (Source: P.A. 89-502, eff. 6-28-96.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 2 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-1) Sec. 7-2-1. Any 2 or more incorporated contiguous municipalities wholly or substantially situated in a single county may be united into one incorporated city by a compliance with Sections 7-1-16 and 7-1-17, with the following exceptions: (1) The petition (a) shall be signed by electors of each of the municipalities seeking a union, (b) shall state the name by which the united municipality is to be known, and (c) shall state the form of municipal government under which the united municipality is to be governed. (2) The question shall be in substantially the following form: -------------------------------------------------------------- Shall the city, village, orincorporated town (as thecase may be) of............and the city, village, orincorporated town (as the caseYESmay be) of..........., (andin this manner as far asnecessary, filling blanks withthe names of the municipalitiesto be united), be united ---------------------------into a single municipalityunder the name of..........with the........... form ofmunicipal government (fillingthe blank with the word NO"Aldermanic" or "Commission"or the words "Managerial WithAldermen Chosen From Wards OrDistricts" as the case may be)?-------------------------------------------------------------- No other proposition shall appear thereon. If the majority of the votes cast in each municipality specified in the petition is in favor of the proposition, the municipalities are united. (Source: P.A. 87-278.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-2) Sec. 7-2-2. A certified copy of the canvass of the votes of the election on the proposition stated in Section 7-2-1, made by the proper officers, shall be transmitted to the clerk of each municipality involved in the election, and to the county clerk of the county in which the election was held. Each clerk shall transcribe the certified copy upon his official records. The mayor or the president of the board of trustees of each municipality, if the vote is in favor of the union, shall immediately issue a proclamation declaring the existence of the union. The united municipalities shall be governed by Sections 7-2-3 through 7-2-27. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-3) Sec. 7-2-3. If municipalities are united by compliance with Section 7-2-1, the union shall not be affected by a failure of officers to perform the duties set forth in Section 7-2-2. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-4) Sec. 7-2-4. All courts shall take judicial notice of a union of municipalities effected by a compliance with Section 7-2-1. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-5) Sec. 7-2-5. Each municipality that becomes a part of a united city upon compliance with Section 7-2-1 shall thereafter be known as the Borough of .... (original name of municipality). A change of name of any borough may be effected, however, by a compliance with Sections 2-4-1 through 2-4-8. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-6) Sec. 7-2-6. Municipalities which have united under Section 7-2-1 shall be deemed to have adopted the City Election Law, as heretofore and hereafter amended. Within 10 days after compliance with Section 7-2-1, the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court or any Judge of that Circuit designated by the Chief Judge within which the boroughs are situated shall create a board of election commissioners as provided in the City Election Law. This board shall perform all duties necessary for holding the first and subsequent elections in the boroughs and in the united city. (Source: P.A. 80-571.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-7) Sec. 7-2-7. The day of the first election of officers of the united city shall be the next regular election date at which municipal officers are scheduled to be elected as provided in the general election law, occurring not less than 90 days after the proclamation of the union or, if a municipal primary is required, not less than 150 days thereafter. The regular general municipal election shall occur thereafter at the time provided in the general election law. (Source: P.A. 81-1490.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-8) Sec. 7-2-8. The terms of all popularly elected officers in the boroughs shall expire 30 days after the first election of officers as provided in Sections 7-2-6 and 7-2-7. Until the expiration of their terms of office as provided herein, all elected officers in the boroughs shall continue to exercise all duties imposed by law, and shall take whatever steps are necessary and consistent with the provisions of this Division to effectuate the union of the municipalities. The terms of all popularly elected officers of the united city at the first election shall begin at the end of 30 days after the first election. The terms of the popularly elected officers of the united city shall end 30 days after the regular election at which their successors are chosen but if the successor to any such officer fails to qualify prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, the officer whose term thus expires shall continue to hold office and perform the duties of his office until such time as a successor qualifies for office. All appointed officers of each borough shall retain their offices and perform their duties in the borough for which they were appointed, until superseded by successors appointed for the united city. However, these appointed officers who are not superseded shall obey the orders of the officers of the united city. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 1267.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-9) Sec. 7-2-9. Each borough shall retain and pay any debt or liability which exists immediately prior to the formation of the united city. The title to and revenue from all property of each borough is transferred to the united city, except so much thereof as may be necessary to pay any debt or liability which existed immediately prior to the formation of the united city. With respect to the property transferred, the united city may consolidate, interconnect and manage any municipally owned facility, utility, water, sewerage or sewerage disposal system, provided that such consolidation, interconnection or management does not adversely affect the rights of any existing bond holders. If the bonds of any municipality, before it becomes a borough, have been registered with the State Auditor of Public Accounts, as required by law, the county clerk of the county in which the borough is located shall certify forthwith the fact of the formation of the union to the Auditor. The Auditor shall continue to certify any existing tax rate, and the county clerk shall continue to extend such existing tax rate upon the taxable property of the particular borough alone until the payment of the principal or interest of the bonds of the borough is complete. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the united city from incurring indebtedness for the city as a whole after its formation. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 1267.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-10) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-10) Sec. 7-2-10. If any municipality, before it becomes a borough, has enacted its annual appropriation ordinance, but has not enacted an ordinance levying a tax that is sufficient to produce revenue equal to its appropriations for the current fiscal year, then the corporate authorities of the united city may include the estimated deficit in the amount for which the annual tax levy of the united city will make provision. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-11) Sec. 7-2-11. The formation of a union as provided in Section 7-2-1 shall not adversely affect the collection of any revenue or the enforcement of any tax or special assessment, levied or assessed in any municipality that has become a borough of a united city. Proceedings to collect revenues and enforce such taxes or special assessments may be instituted and carried on in the name of the municipality. All such revenues, taxes and special assessments that are collected, shall be paid over to the treasurer of the united city, but they shall be used for the purpose for which they were levied or assessed. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 1267.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-11.1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-11.1) Sec. 7-2-11.1. Where a tax rate or rates have been authorized by referendum in any municipality that has become a borough of a united city as provided in Section 7-2-1, proceedings to levy, collect and enforce such taxes in all boroughs of the united city may be instituted and carried on in the name of the united city. All such taxes that are collected shall be paid over to the treasurer of the united city, but they shall be used for the purpose for which they were levied in all of the boroughs of the united city. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 2684.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-12) Sec. 7-2-12. All suits pending in any court on behalf of or against any municipality, when it becomes a borough of a united city, may be prosecuted or defended in the name of the municipality. Judgments in favor of the municipality may be collected or enforced in the name of the municipality but the proceeds shall be paid over to the treasurer of the united city. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-13) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-13) Sec. 7-2-13. If any municipality, before it becomes the borough of a united city, has instituted proceedings to improve any street or alley or to construct any authorized public works by special assessment or special taxation, the proceedings may be carried to finality in the name of the municipality. Likewise, any proceeding by such a municipality to take land in order to open a street or alley or to construct authorized public works may be carried to finality in the name of the municipality. Proceedings to collect and enforce any resulting special assessments or taxes and the disposition of the proceeds thereof shall be governed by Section 7-2-11. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-15) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-15) Sec. 7-2-15. All policemen and firemen lawfully in the employment of any municipality that becomes a borough of a united city shall become members of the police or fire department, respectively, of the united city. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-16) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-16) Sec. 7-2-16. All valid ordinances or resolutions of and all valid decisions determined through a referendum of the voters in any municipality which becomes a borough of a united city, regulating or prohibiting the sale of alcoholic liquor shall remain valid, notwithstanding the formation of the union, until validly changed by a compliance with "An Act relating to alcoholic liquors," approved January 31, 1934, as heretofore and hereafter amended. The local liquor control commissioner of any municipality, which becomes a borough of a united city, shall continue as such until superseded by the mayor of the united city. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-17) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-17) Sec. 7-2-17. If annexation of any territory is made to a united city, it shall become a part of the borough to which it is contiguous. If it is contiguous to 2 or more boroughs, it shall be apportioned between them by ordinance of the united city. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-18) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-18) Sec. 7-2-18. A municipality contiguous to a united city may be annexed to the united city as a borough thereof, by a compliance with Sections 7-1-1 through 7-1-45. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-19) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-19) Sec. 7-2-19. Whenever a united city is formed by a compliance with Section 7-2-1 and the decision is in favor of an aldermanic form of municipal government, the united city shall be governed, after the first election held in compliance with Section 7-2-7, by a council composed of a mayor and a board of aldermen selected by the electors of the united city as provided by the provisions of this Code relating to the election of city officers, except that all elections in a united city are controlled by the City Election Law as provided in Section 7-2-6. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-20) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-20) Sec. 7-2-20. If the decision at the election under Section 7-2-1 is in favor of the commission form of municipal government, the united city shall be governed, after the first election held in compliance with Section 7-2-7, by a council, consisting of a mayor and a board of 4 commissioners. One commissioner shall be elected by the electors in each borough. If there are less than 4 boroughs, the remainder of the commissioners shall be elected by the electors of the united city. The nomination petitions of the candidates for the commissioners who are to be elected by the electors in a particular borough shall be signed only by electors of that particular borough. In other respects the nomination and election of officers shall be conducted in compliance with Sections 4-3-1 through 4-3-18. Likewise the tenure of office shall be the same as that provided in Section 4-3-4. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-21) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-21) Sec. 7-2-21. In addition to the requirements of the general election law, a distinct ballot shall be printed for each borough for the primary election. At the top of the ballot shall be the following: CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION FOR MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS AT LARGE OF THE UNITED CITY OF..... Under the sub-title of FOR MAYOR shall be placed the following: (VOTE FOR ONE). If any commissioner at large is to be nominated there shall be placed below the names of the candidates for mayor another sub-title in the singular or plural form, depending on the facts, the following: FOR COMMISSIONER AT LARGE. Following this sub-title there shall be an instruction in this form, to be altered, however, to conform to the facts. (VOTE FOR ONE). Following the names of the candidates for commissioner at large, if any, there shall be another sub-title in the following form: FOR COMMISSIONER FROM THE BOROUGH OF..... Following this sub-title there shall be the following direction: (VOTE FOR ONE). In other respects the form of the ballot shall be controlled by Section 4-3-10. (Source: P.A. 81-1490.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-22) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-22) Sec. 7-2-22. To determine the number of nominees who shall be placed on the ballot under each sub-title at the general city election, the number of officers who will be chosen under each sub-title shall be multiplied by 2. Only those candidates at the primary election shall be nominees under each sub-title at the general city election who have received the 2 highest number of votes, where but one officer is to be elected, the 4 highest where but 2 officers are to be elected, and in this manner as far as necessary. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-23) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-23) Sec. 7-2-23. If a candidate nominated at a primary election for a particular office dies or withdraws before the general city election, the vacancy on the ballot shall be filled with the name of the candidate for the same office who ranked next highest in the number of votes received at the primary to those who were determined to be the nominees for the office sought by the dead or withdrawing candidate. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-24) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-24) Sec. 7-2-24. The ballots for the election of officers at the general city election in a united city shall be prepared in accordance with the general election law, and in accordance with Section 4-3-16, with the following changes: (1) Following the names of the candidates for mayor there shall be printed a sub-title: FOR COMMISSIONER (or COMMISSIONERS) AT LARGE. Following this sub-title shall be an instruction in this form: (Vote for one) or (Vote for not more than 2), as the case may be. The names of the candidates for commissioner at large shall follow this instruction. (2) Following the names of the candidates at large shall be printed another sub-title: FOR COMMISSIONER FROM THE BOROUGH OF..... Following this sub-title shall be an instruction in this form: (Vote for one) and following this instruction shall be printed the names of the 2 nominees. Sections 7-2-20 through 7-2-24 are applicable only to united cities under a commission form of government. (Source: P.A. 95-862, eff. 8-19-08.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-25) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-25) Sec. 7-2-25. Every valid ordinance of a municipality that becomes a borough of a united city shall remain valid within that borough until repealed by an ordinance of the united city either expressly or impliedly by legislation on the same subject. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-26) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-26) Sec. 7-2-26. The formation of a united city under Section 7-2-1 shall not effect a union of the schools in the boroughs of the united city. The united city before the schools themselves are united shall not be responsible for any school debt or any school obligation in a municipality that becomes a borough or in a borough after the formation of the united city. Each school in a borough, until the schools themselves are united, shall be governed, as far as possible, as if the united city had not been formed. Statutes providing that school officials may act only with the concurrence of the city council shall not apply to schools in a united city until the schools are united in compliance with statutes governing schools. However, after the formation of a united city, and before the school themselves are united, the name of each school district therein shall be amended by substituting the word "Borough" in place of the word "City," "Village," or "Town". (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-27) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-27) Sec. 7-2-27. At any general municipal election, the question of the dissolution of the united city may be submitted to the electors by a compliance, as near as may be, with Sections 7-6-1 through 7-6-6. However, the petition in such cases shall request that the dissolution of the united city be submitted to the electors of the united city and the question shall be in the following form: -------------------------------------------------------------- SHALL THE UNITED YES CITY OF....... ---------------------------------------- BE DISSOLVED?NO-------------------------------------------------------------- (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-2-28) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-2-28) Sec. 7-2-28. Whenever a united city is formed by a compliance with Section 7-2-1 of municipal government with aldermen chosen from wards or districts, the united city shall be and the decision is in favor of a managerial form governed, after the first election held in compliance with Section 7-2-7, by a council composed of a mayor and a board of aldermen selected by the electors of the united city as provided by the provisions of this Code relating to the election of city officers, except all elections in a united city are controlled by the City Election Law as provided in Section 7-2-6, and by a municipal manager appointed by the council as provided in Article 5. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 1267.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 3 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-1) Sec. 7-3-1. Within one year of the organization of any municipality under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Article 2 of this Code, any territory which has been included therein may be disconnected from such municipality if the territory sought to be disconnected is (1) upon the border, but within the boundary of the municipality, (2) contains 20 or more acres, (3) if disconnected will not result in the isolation of any part of the municipality from the remainder of the municipality, and (4) if disconnected will not be a territory wholly bounded by one or more municipalities or wholly bounded by one or more municipalities and a river or lake, (5) if disconnected, the growth prospects and plan and zoning ordinances, if any, of such municipality will not be unreasonably disrupted, (6) if disconnected, no substantial disruption will result to existing municipal service facilities such as, but not limited to, sewer systems, street lighting, water mains, garbage collection and fire protection, (7) if disconnected the municipality will not be unduly harmed through loss of tax revenue in the future. The procedure for disconnection shall be as follows: A written petition directed to the circuit court of the county in which the territory proposed to be disconnected is located and if such territory is located in more than one county then to the circuit court of the county in which the greater part of such territory may be located, which petition shall be signed by a majority of the electors, if any, residing within the territory and also signed by a majority of the owners of record of land in such territory, and also representing a majority of the area of land in such territory, shall be filed with the clerk of the court within one year of the organization of any municipality under the provisions of Divisions 2 and 3 of Article 2 of this Code. The petition shall set forth the description of the territory to be detached from such municipality, shall allege the pertinent facts in support of the disconnection of such territory and shall pray the court to detach the territory from the municipality. (Source: P.A. 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-2) Sec. 7-3-2. Upon the filing of the petition as provided in Section 7-3-1, the court shall set the same for public hearing which date of public hearing shall be within 30 days of the date of the filing of the petition. The court shall give at least 10 days notice of such hearing by publishing notice thereof once in a newspaper published in the municipality from which the territory is sought to be detached, or if there is no such newspaper published in such municipality, then such notice shall be published once in a newspaper having a general circulation within such municipality, the date of such publication to be not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the public hearing. The notice (1) shall refer to the petition filed with the court, (2) shall describe the territory proposed to be disconnected, (3) shall indicate the prayer of the petition and the date, time and place at which the public hearing will be held and (4) shall further indicate that the municipality and any persons residing in or owning property in the territory involved or in the municipality from which such territory is sought to be disconnected shall have an opportunity to be heard on the prayer of the petition. Notice of the filing of the petition, the substance of which shall be as hereinabove prescribed for the published notice shall also be mailed to the presiding officer of the municipality from which the territory is sought to be disconnected. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 3740.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-3) Sec. 7-3-3. The public hearing may be continued from time to time by the court. After such public hearing and having heard any and all persons desiring to be heard, including the municipality and any and all persons residing in or owning property in the territory involved or in the municipality from which such territory is sought to be disconnected, if the court shall find that all the allegations of the petition are true, the court shall grant the prayer of the petition and shall enter an order disconnecting the territory from the municipality, which order shall be entered of record in the court and the clerk of the court shall file a certified copy of such order with the clerk of the municipality from which such territory has been detached. If the court shall find that the allegations contained in the petition are not true then the court shall enter an order dismissing the same. However, the disconnection of any territory from the municipality shall not exempt such territory from taxation for the purpose of paying any indebtedness incurred by the corporate authorities of the municipality prior to the filing of the petition for disconnection and such territory shall be assessed and taxed to pay such indebtedness until such indebtedness is completely paid, the same as though the territory had not been disconnected. (Source: P.A. 83-343.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-4) Sec. 7-3-4. Any territory, within any municipality, which is upon the border but within the boundary of the municipality may be disconnected from the municipality, in the discretion of its corporate authorities as follows: A written petition, signed by owners of record representing a majority of the area of land in such territory, shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality, requesting that the specified territory be disconnected from the municipality. The petition shall be filed at least 30 days before it is considered by the corporate authorities. The petition shall be accompanied with the certificate of the proper county clerk, showing that all city taxes or assessments due up to the time of presenting the petition are fully paid. The corporate authorities, in their discretion, may disconnect the territory from the municipality, by an ordinance passed by a majority of the members elected to the city council, or board of trustees, as the case may be. (Source: P.A. 83-656.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-5) Sec. 7-3-5. A copy of the ordinance disconnecting territory from any municipality, certified by the clerk of that municipality, shall within 90 days be filed for recordation in the Recorder's office and with the County Clerk of the county in which the disconnected territory is situated. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 3135.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-6) Sec. 7-3-6. The owner or owners of record of any area of land consisting of one or more tracts, lying within the corporate limits of any municipality may have such territory disconnected which (1) contains 20 or more acres; (2) is located on the border of the municipality; (3) if disconnected, will not result in the isolation of any part of the municipality from the remainder of the municipality; (4) if disconnected, the growth prospects and plan and zoning ordinances, if any, of such municipality will not be unreasonably disrupted; (5) if disconnected, no substantial disruption will result to existing municipal service facilities, such as, but not limited to, sewer systems, street lighting, water mains, garbage collection, and fire protection; (6) if disconnected, the municipality will not be unduly harmed through loss of tax revenue in the future; and (7) does not contain any territory designated as part of a redevelopment project area as that term is defined in subsection (p) of Section 11-74.4-3 of this Code or any territory otherwise subject to tax increment financing by the municipality. Item (7) applies to petitions and actions pending on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly as well as petitions and actions commenced on or after that date. The procedure for disconnection shall be as follows: The owner or owners of record of any such area of land shall file a petition in the circuit court of the county where the land is situated, alleging facts in support of the disconnection. The municipality from which disconnection is sought shall be made a defendant, and it, or any taxpayer residing in that municipality, may appear and defend against the petition. If the court finds that the allegations of the petition are true and that the area of land is entitled to disconnection it shall order the specified land disconnected from the designated municipality. If the circuit court finds that the allegations contained in the petition are not true, the court shall enter an order dismissing the petition. An area of land, or any part thereof, disconnected under the provisions of this Section from a municipality which was incorporated at least 2 years prior to the date of the filing of such petition for disconnection shall not be subdivided into lots and blocks within one year from the date of such disconnecting. A plat of any such proposed subdivision shall not be accepted for recording or registration within such one year period, unless the land comprising such proposed subdivision shall have been thereafter incorporated into a municipality. (Source: P.A. 100-1134, eff. 11-28-18.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-6.1) Sec. 7-3-6.1. Notice to the payor of real estate taxes. When territory is proposed to be disconnected by court order under this Article, the corporate authorities or petitioners initiating the action shall notify each person who pays real estate taxes on property within that territory unless the person is a petitioner. The notice shall be served by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, at least 20 days before a court hearing or other court action. If the person who pays real estate taxes on the property is not the owner of record, then the payor shall notify the owner of record of the proposed disconnection. (Source: P.A. 89-666, eff. 8-14-96.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-6.2) Sec. 7-3-6.2. Split lots. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the owner or owners of record of a split residential lot may disconnect a portion of the lot which (i) is a residentially zoned and platted lot currently lying partially within the corporate limits of and governed by 2 or more municipalities or lying within the unincorporated area of a county and also within the corporate limits of one or more municipalities, and contains less than 20 acres; (ii) is located on the border of the municipality; and (iii) if disconnected, will not result in the isolation of any part of the municipality from the remainder of the municipality. The owner or owners seeking to disconnect a portion of a split lot from a municipality must petition the court in the manner provided in Section 7-3-6 of this Code. In determining whether a lot shall be disconnected under this Section, the court may consider the following: (i) if disconnected, the growth prospects and planning and zoning ordinances, if any, of the municipality will not be unreasonably disrupted; (ii) if disconnected, no substantial disruption will result to existing municipal service facilities, such as, but not limited to, sewer systems, street lighting, water mains, garbage collection, and fire protection; and (iii) if disconnected, the municipality will not be unduly harmed through loss of tax revenue in the future.An area of land, or any part thereof, disconnected under the provisions of this Section from a municipality which was incorporated at least 2 years prior to the date of the filing of the petition for disconnection shall not be subdivided into lots or blocks within one year from the date of disconnection. A plat of any such proposed subdivision shall not be accepted for recording within such one-year period, unless the land comprising such proposed subdivision shall have been thereafter annexed into a municipality. (Source: P.A. 93-1007, eff. 1-1-05.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-7) Sec. 7-3-7. The disconnection of any such area of land shall not exempt it from taxation for the purpose of paying any indebtedness contracted by the corporate authorities of the municipality, prior to the filing of the petition for disconnection. On the contrary, the territory shall be assessed and taxed to pay such indebtedness until this indebtedness is completely paid, the same as though the territory had not been disconnected. Except for this purpose, no county clerk shall include disconnected territory within the limits of the municipality from which the territory has been disconnected. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-3-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-3-8) Sec. 7-3-8. Whenever the boundaries of any municipality, containing part or all of any special charter school district, are changed, the clerk of such municipality shall, within 5 days after such boundary change becomes final, notify the school board of any school district which may be affected thereby and the county superintendent of schools specifying the details of such boundary change, including its effective date. Such notices shall be sent by certified mail. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 4 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-1) Sec. 7-4-1. The corporate authorities in all municipalities have jurisdiction in and over all places within one-half mile of the corporate limits for the purpose of enforcing health and quarantine ordinances and regulations. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-2) Sec. 7-4-2. All property which (1) is owned by a municipality, and (2) lies outside the corporate limits of the municipality, and (3) does not lie within the corporate limits of any municipality, shall be subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of the municipality in all respects the same as the property owned by the municipality which lies within the corporate limits thereof. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-3) Sec. 7-4-3. Whenever, as a result of the annexation of the whole of a municipality to another municipality with a population of more than 200,000, unincorporated territory, not a part of either of these municipalities, has been wholly surrounded by the enlarged municipality, the jurisdiction of the enlarged municipality shall extend over the unincorporated territory so surrounded to the same extent as if that territory had been annexed at the same time as the municipality whose annexation caused the territory to be so surrounded. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-4) Sec. 7-4-4. The corporate authorities in all municipalities have jurisdiction over all waters within or bordering upon the municipality, to the extent of 3 miles beyond the corporate limits, but not beyond the limits of the State. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize a municipality to exercise zoning power or otherwise restrict the use of private property outside of the corporate limits of the municipality. (Source: P.A. 95-852, eff. 8-18-08.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-5) Sec. 7-4-5. Each municipality which is situated in 2 or more counties, has jurisdiction over the entire territory embraced within its corporate limits for all municipal purposes. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-6) Sec. 7-4-6. Whenever this Code or any other Act of this State provides that a suit or proceeding affecting the title or possession of land or the assessment or collection of taxes, shall be commenced by a municipality in any court of the county in which the municipality is situated, the reference is to the county in which the land affected or upon which the taxes are assessed or to be assessed and collected is situated. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-7) Sec. 7-4-7. The territory which is embraced within the corporate limits of adjoining municipalities within any county in this State shall be a police district. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-4-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-4-8) Sec. 7-4-8. The police of any municipality in such a police district have full authority and power as peace officers and may go into any part of the district to exercise that authority and power. For these purposes the mayor of any municipality in the district, and the chiefs of police therein, shall use the police forces under their control anywhere in the district. (Source: P.A. 90-593, eff. 6-19-98; 91-319, eff. 7-29-99.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 5 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-5-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-5-1) Sec. 7-5-1. Whenever a municipality incorporated under any general or special law is in danger of losing all or the greater portion of the land within its corporate limits by reason of the washing away of the bank of any river, or whenever the inhabitants of any limited territory who, as inhabitants of that territory, have land within this State held as a common by virtue of a grant by any person or government having power to make that grant, are in danger of losing all or the greater portion of the territory by reason of the washing away of the bank of any river, that municipality or those inhabitants may acquire by gift or purchase suitable real estate to which the site of that municipality, or of the residence of those inhabitants may be removed. However, this real estate shall be within 3 miles of the former nearest limit of that municipality or territory and shall not be more than is reasonably necessary for the purposes of a new site. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-5-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-5-2) Sec. 7-5-2. Whenever a municipality or territory is endangered as specified in Section 7-5-1, upon written petition, describing the property sought to be acquired, and signed by not less than three-fourths of the electors of that municipality or territory, and by the owners in fee simple of not less than one-half in value of the remaining territory within the limits of that municipality or territory, the corporate authorities of that municipality, or the trustees of the lands held as a common, by ordinance, may authorize acquisition of the title to the real estate described in the petition. Upon the passage of the ordinance, that municipality or the inhabitants of that territory may acquire the title to the real estate described in the petition and ordinance, either by gift or by purchase. A deed of conveyance to the municipality by its corporate name, or to the trustees of the land held as a common, shall vest the title to this real estate for the purposes of this article. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-5-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-5-3) Sec. 7-5-3. A copy of the ordinance specified in Section 7-5-2 and an accurate map of the property shall be certified by the mayor or president of the municipality, as the case may be, or by the trustees of the land held as a common, and shall be filed with the recorder in the county where the acquired real estate is situated. When this ordinance and map are so certified and filed, the acquired real estate, whether actually adjoining the former site or territory or not, shall be a part of that municipality or territory, and the inhabitants of the acquired real estate shall be entitled to all the corporate rights, powers, annuities, commons, benefits, and franchises, which the inhabitants of that municipality or territory originally possessed, or to which they were entitled. (Source: P.A. 83-358.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 6 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-1) Sec. 7-6-1. Any municipality, incorporated under any general or special law, may be dissolved as follows: Whenever electors in the municipality, equal to a majority of the total vote at the last preceding general municipal election, file a petition with the clerk of the municipality requesting the submission of the question whether the municipality will dissolve its incorporation, that question shall be certified by the clerk to the proper election authorities who shall submit the proposition to the electors of the municipality. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-2) Sec. 7-6-2. The question shall read substantially as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------- "Shall the municipal YES corporation of........... ------------------------------- be dissolved?" NO-------------------------------------------------------------- The result shall be entered upon the municipal records. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-3) Sec. 7-6-3. If a majority of the votes cast on the question are "yes," the municipality is dissolved. But if a majority of the votes cast on the question are "no," the corporate authorities shall proceed with the affairs of the municipality as though the referendum had never been held. After a defeat, however, the proposition shall not be submitted to a vote in the same municipality for a period of 22 months. (Source: P.A. 81-1489.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-4) Sec. 7-6-4. If the vote is in favor of a voluntary dissolution of the municipality there shall be no further elections for municipal officers. The officers acting at the time of this vote shall close up the business affairs of the municipality, and make the necessary conveyances of the title to the municipal property. They may levy and collect taxes for the purpose of paying the debts and obligations of the municipality, but they shall not create any new obligation against the municipality. All money remaining after the business affairs of the municipality have been closed up and all the debts and obligations of the municipality have been paid, shall be paid to the school treasurer for the township or school unit, as the case may be, in which the municipality, or a greater part thereof, was situated. This money shall become a part of the school fund of the school district in which the municipality was situated. If the municipality was situated in more than one school district, the trustees of the schools for the specified township or unit shall direct the treasurer for that township or unit to distribute and credit the fund to the specified districts, in the same proportion as the amounts of the assessed valuation of property in these districts, according to the last assessment in these districts, bear to each other. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 854.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-5) Sec. 7-6-5. If the vote is in favor of dissolution, the acting corporate authorities of the dissolved municipality shall give notice of the result of the election to the secretary of state within 10 days after the election. They shall also file within the same time a copy of this notice with the county clerk of the county in which the dissolved municipality was situated. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-6) Sec. 7-6-6. After the acting corporate authorities of the dissolved municipality (1) have paid all of the debts and obligations of the municipality, (2) have closed up all of the municipal business, and (3) the surplus money, if any, has been paid to the school treasurer for the proper township or school unit, then the acting corporate authorities shall file with the county clerk of the county in which the dissolved municipality was situated, a statement under oath, showing all of the closing up transactions. When this statement is filed, the duty to close up the municipal business is terminated, and all officers of the municipality, whether the terms for which they were elected have expired or not, shall thereupon cease to have any power or authority. (Source: Laws 1963, p. 854.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-7) Sec. 7-6-7. Upon application by the county board of any county to the circuit court, and after a hearing upon such notice as may be directed by such court, any municipality which has less than 50 inhabitants according to the last preceding Federal census may be ordered by the court to dissolve. After service of such order upon the corporate authorities of the municipality acting at that time they shall proceed to close up the business affairs of the municipality as expeditiously as possible and in the same manner as is provided by Sections 7-6-4, 7-6-5 and 7-6-6 in the case of voluntary dissolution. The court may enforce compliance with its order by proceedings for contempt. If ever there is in existence any municipality in which the Bureau of the Census did not determine the population when the last preceding decennial census was taken, the county board of the county in which such municipality is located may, at county expense, arrange with the Bureau of the Census to take a special census of such municipality. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-6-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-6-8) Sec. 7-6-8. All courts shall take judicial notice of (1) the existence of Illinois municipalities, (2) of the counties in which they are situated, (3) of the changes made in the municipal territory, and (4) of the dissolution of municipalities. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 576.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 7 Div. 7 heading)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-1) Sec. 7-7-1. Application of Division. This Division shall apply to consolidations of municipalities in this State in counties with less than 200,000 inhabitants, is alternative to any other method of unification allowed by law, and implements the provisions of Article VII, Section 12 of the Illinois Constitution. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-2) Sec. 7-7-2. Definitions. In this Division: (a) "Consolidation" means the process by which 2 or more municipalities are simultaneously dissolved and a new municipality is incorporated. (b) "Consolidating municipality" means a municipality or municipalities which undergo consolidation, thereby being dissolved. (c) "Consolidated municipality" means the municipality which is created by consolidation. (d) "Consolidation ordinance" means an ordinance to be approved by referendum as provided in this Division which shall define the form of government of the consolidated municipality and provide for the orderly succession of powers, functions, assets, liabilities and personnel of the consolidating municipalities to the consolidated municipality. (e) "Transition committee" means a committee composed of the Mayor or Village President or designee thereof of each consolidating municipality. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-3) Sec. 7-7-3. Power to Consolidate. Any 2 or more municipalities, located in one or more counties each with less than 200,000 inhabitants according to the most recent federal census, which are contiguous or which upon consolidation shall be contiguous, may consolidate by compliance with this Division. Any 2 or more municipalities shall be deemed contiguous for purposes of this Division notwithstanding that they are separated by a park district or a forest preserve district, or by a railroad or public utility right-of-way or a highway or a toll highway under the jurisdiction of any township or any department or division of the State of Illinois, but upon consolidation, such park district, forest preserve district, right-of-way, highway or toll highway shall not be considered to be part of the consolidated municipality. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-4) Sec. 7-7-4. Public Question; Consolidation Ordinance. A public question for consolidation shall be initiated in accordance with Section 28-7 of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended. Each petition or resolution shall be accompanied by and shall incorporate by reference a proposed consolidation ordinance, which shall be identical, except as to matters of form, for each consolidating municipality. The consolidation ordinance shall be entitled "Ordinance Providing for the Consolidation of the Cities, Villages or Incorporated Towns of (here insert the names of the consolidating municipalities) Into a Single Municipality with the Interim Name of (insert proposed interim name of consolidated municipality)". The ordinance in its proposed form shall be placed on file with the clerk of each of the consolidating municipalities. The clerk of each consolidating municipality shall place such ordinance on file and make it available for public inspection. The consolidation ordinance shall provide, at a minimum, for the following: (1) the minimum number of municipalities or the specific municipalities in which the approval of the voters shall be necessary to effect the consolidation; (2) procedures for the selection of the permanent name of the consolidated municipality; (3) the compensation of the corporate authorities of the consolidated municipality; (4) the date the consolidation shall be effective; (5) procedures for the orderly succession of powers, functions, assets, liabilities and personnel and the merger of the administrative offices of the consolidating municipalities; (6) the dates for election of the initial corporate authorities and other elected officers of the consolidated municipality; (7) the identity of the members of the transition committee; and (8) a form of government for the consolidated municipality, including: (i) the powers and functions of the various officers; (ii) their terms of office, whether those terms shall be staggered and if so, the procedure for staggering the terms of the initial officers; (iii) the manner of selection of the officers; and (iv) if the form of government is other than a form established by this Code, whether the positions of treasurer and clerk are elective or appointive. The consolidation ordinance may contain such other matters as are necessary or appropriate for the purposes of implementing the consolidation. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-5) Sec. 7-7-5. Form of government. The consolidation ordinance may specify any form of government established by this Code or may define any other form of government not prohibited by law. It is the intention of this Section to permit the adoption of an existing form of government or the creation of a new form of government pursuant to Article VII of the Illinois Constitution. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-6) Sec. 7-7-6. Publication of consolidation ordinance. At any time not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the referendum thereon, the consolidation ordinance shall be published by the clerk in a newspaper of general circulation in each of the consolidating municipalities. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-7) Sec. 7-7-7. Referendum. A consolidation ordinance shall be effective only upon its approval by a referendum conducted pursuant to Section 28-7 of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-8) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-8) Sec. 7-7-8. Approval of Referendum by Voters in Less Than All of the Consolidating Municipalities. Unless otherwise provided in the consolidation ordinance, if the consolidation referendum is approved by the voters in less than all of the consolidating municipalities, the consolidation shall only be effective as to those municipalities in which the referendum is approved and which are contiguous as of the date of the consolidation. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-9) Sec. 7-7-9. Form of Question. The question to be submitted to the voters of each consolidating municipality for approval shall be in substantially the following form: --------------------------------------------------------------Shall the city, village or incorporatedtown (as the case may be) of.............be consolidated with the cities, villagesor incorporated towns of ................(and in this manner as far as necessary YESfilling the blanks with the names ofmunicipalities to be consolidated) to forma single municipality with the form ofgovernment and according to the terms ofthat certain "Ordinance Providing For theConsolidation of the Cities, Villages or ----------------Incorporated Towns of ..... intoa Single Municipality with the InterimName of ..... "(filling the blankswith appropriate words from the title ofthe consolidation ordinance) filed withthe city, village or incorporated town NOof ..... on .....? (here fillingin the blanks with the name of themunicipality which has filed theconsolidation ordinance and the dateof filing)-------------------------------------------------------------- No other proposition shall appear thereon. The reference in the proposition to the consolidation ordinance shall be deemed proper notice to the electors of what is contemplated by the proposition. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-10) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-10) Sec. 7-7-10. Transition Matters. (a) The corporate authorities of each municipality in which the consolidation ordinance has been approved by the voters shall adopt the consolidation ordinance at their first regular meeting following the election and declaration of the results thereof. Thereafter, the consolidation ordinance shall take effect as an intergovernmental agreement of the municipalities in which it is effective. (b) The transition committee shall hold its initial meeting within 5 days after approval of the consolidation ordinance by the voters and its adoption by each of the consolidating municipalities. The transition committee shall exercise those powers and perform those functions set forth in the consolidation ordinance to effect the orderly succession of powers, functions, assets, liabilities and personnel, to effect the merger of the administrative offices of the consolidating municipalities, and to propose a permanent name for the consolidated municipality. (c) The transition committee shall prepare a code of ordinances for the consolidated municipality which shall set forth the powers and duties of the corporate authorities thereof. The code of ordinances and a permanent name for the consolidated municipality shall be submitted for approval by the corporate authorities of the consolidated municipality at their initial organizational meeting. (d) Unless otherwise provided expressly or impliedly in the consolidation ordinance, every valid ordinance of a consolidating municipality shall upon consolidation remain valid within the territory of that consolidating municipality until repealed expressly or impliedly by legislation of the consolidated municipality on the same subject. (e) Proposed Permanent Name. In determining the permanent name of the new municipality the transition committee and the Secretary of State shall follow insofar as applicable the provisions of Section 2-1-7 of this Code. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-11) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-11) Sec. 7-7-11. Elections of Initial Officers of Consolidated Municipalities. (a) The day of the first election of officers of the consolidated municipality shall be the next consolidated election established pursuant to Section 2A-1.1 of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended, following the consolidation referendum. The day of the first primary election of officers of the consolidated municipality shall be the next consolidated primary election pursuant to Section 2A-1.1 of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended, following the consolidation referendum. (b) The first election of officers of the consolidated municipality shall be conducted in accordance with The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended, except that the duties of the local election official and boards set forth in The Election Code shall be performed by the officers designated in subsection (c) of this Section and the nominating petitions shall meet the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section. All elections after such first election of officers shall be conducted in accordance with The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended. (c) For the first election of officers of the consolidated municipality, the municipal clerk of one of the consolidating municipalities in which the consolidation ordinance was approved by referendum, who shall be designated by the consolidation ordinance, shall perform the duties required of the local election official by The Election Code. For such first election of officers, the municipal clerks of all of the municipalities in which the consolidation ordinance was approved by referendum shall constitute an electoral board to perform the duties required of the municipal officers electoral board by The Election Code and shall also constitute a canvassing board to perform the duties required of officers charged by The Election Code with the duties of canvassing returns. (d) For the first election of officers of the consolidated municipality, with respect to the number of signatures required by The Election Code for nominating petitions for partisan candidates, the number of qualified primary electors in each consolidating municipality in which the consolidation ordinance was approved by referendum shall be added together to derive a sum which shall be deemed the number of qualified primary electors of the consolidated municipality. For such first election of officers, with respect to the number of signatures required by The Election Code for nominating petitions for independent candidates and candidates of newly formed political parties, the number of voters in each consolidating municipality in which the consolidation ordinance was approved by referendum who voted at the next preceding regular election in each consolidating municipality shall be added together to derive a sum which shall be deemed the number of persons voting in the next preceding election in which the consolidated municipality voted as a unit. (e) The earliest date for circulation of nominating petitions for the first election of officers of the consolidated municipality and the filing date for such petitions shall be as established by The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended; provided, however, that nothing in The Election Code or in this Code shall be construed as preventing the circulation of nominating petitions for such first election prior to the date of the consolidation referendum, so long as the requirements of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended, relating to the earliest date for such circulation are otherwise met. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)

(65 ILCS 5/7-7-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 7-7-12) Sec. 7-7-12. Time and Effect of Consolidation. (a) Consolidation shall occur immediately upon the taking of office of the corporate authorities of the consolidated municipality. The consolidated municipality shall immediately be incorporated and shall thenceforth be deemed a municipality incorporated pursuant to this Code. Upon incorporation, the chief executive officer of the consolidated municipality shall comply with Section 2-1-5 of this Code relating to records of incorporation. (b) Simultaneously with the incorporation of the consolidated municipality, the consolidating municipalities are dissolved. Except for the notice procedures contained in Section 7-6-5 of this Code, dissolution procedures in this Code shall not apply. (c) The terms of offices of the elected officials of the consolidating municipalities, if they otherwise would have expired, shall be extended until the elected officials of the consolidated municipality take office. Provided, however, that no consolidation ordinance shall provide for or result in such an extension of office to a date more than one year following the date of the referendum. (d) The consolidated municipality shall have the territory and inhabitants, and shall succeed to all rights and property of every kind and description, as well as all obligations and liabilities of every kind and description, of the consolidating municipalities. No consolidation shall adversely affect any vested right held by any person in respect of any consolidating municipality. No suit or prosecution of any kind involving a consolidating municipality shall be affected by any consolidation except insofar as it is necessary to substitute parties. However, when a change in the form of government makes applicable a provision in this Code that gives a different remedy in such suit or prosecution, the remedy shall be cumulative to the remedies before provided. (e) Except as hereinafter provided, the consolidated municipality shall assume and pay all debts and liabilities, and shall perform all contracts of the consolidating municipalities. Upon consolidation, the title to all property which belonged to the consolidating municipalities vests in the consolidated municipality, to be held, however, for the same purposes and uses, and subject to the same conditions as before consolidation. (f) With respect to the property of the consolidating municipalities, the consolidated municipality may merge, interconnect and manage any municipally owned facility, utility, water, sewerage or sewerage disposal system, provided that such merger, interconnection or management does not adversely affect the rights of any existing bond holders. The county clerk shall continue to extend tax rates existing as of the date of consolidation upon the taxable property of the consolidating municipality alone until the payment of the principal or interest of the bonds of the consolidating municipality is complete. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent the consolidated municipality from incurring indebtedness for the consolidated municipality as a whole after its consolidation. (Source: P.A. 85-1159.)