70 ILCS 915/ - Illinois Medical District Act.

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(70 ILCS 915/0.01) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5000) Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Medical District Act. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5001) Sec. 1. Creation of District. There is created in the City of Chicago a medical center district, hereinafter called the District, whose boundaries are Ashland Boulevard on the East, a line co-incidental with Congress Street extending from Ashland Boulevard in a westerly direction to Oakley Boulevard on the north, Oakley Boulevard on the west, and a line coincidental with the north line of the property at or near 14th and 15th Streets owned or used by the Chicago Northwestern Transportation Company, its successor and assigns for railroad purposes on the south. The District is created to attract and retain academic centers of excellence, viable health care facilities, medical research facilities, emerging high technology enterprises, and other facilities and uses as permitted by this Act. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5002) Sec. 2. Illinois Medical District Commission. (a) There is hereby created a political subdivision, unit of local government, body politic and corporate under the corporate name of Illinois Medical District Commission, hereinafter called the Commission, whose general purpose in addition to and not in limitation of those purposes and powers set forth in other Sections of this Act shall be to: (1) maintain the proper surroundings for a medical

center and a related technology center in order to attract, stabilize, and retain therein hospitals, clinics, research facilities, educational facilities, or other facilities permitted under this Act;

(2) provide for the orderly creation and expansion of

(i) various county, and local governmental facilities as permitted under this Act, including, but not limited to, juvenile detention facilities, (ii) other ancillary or related facilities which the Commission may from time to time determine are established and operated for any aspect of the carrying out of the Commission's purposes as set forth in this Act, or are established and operated for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of human ailments and injuries, whether physical or mental, or to promote medical, surgical, and scientific research and knowledge as permitted under this Act, (iii) medical research and high technology parks, together with the necessary lands, buildings, facilities, equipment, and personal property therefore, and (iv) other facility development to generate and maintain revenue streams sufficient to fund the operations of the Commission and for the District, and to provide for any cash reserves as the Commission shall deem prudent.

(b) The Commission shall have perpetual succession, power to contract and be contracted with, to sue and be sued in its corporate name, but judgment shall not in any case be issued against any property of the Commission, to have and use a common seal, and to alter the same at pleasure. All actions sounding in tort against the Commission shall be prosecuted in the Court of Claims. The principal office of the Commission shall be in the city of Chicago, and the Commission may establish such other offices within the state of Illinois at such places as to the Commission shall seem advisable. Such Commission shall consist of 7 members, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, 2 by the Mayor of Chicago, and one by the President of the County Board of Cook County. All members shall hold office for a term of 5 years and until their successors are appointed as provided in this Act; provided, that as soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Governor shall appoint 4 members for terms expiring, respectively, on June 30, 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955. The terms of all members heretofore appointed by the Governor shall expire upon the commencement of the terms of the members appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission occurring by reason of the death, resignation, disqualification, removal or inability or refusal to act of any of the members of the Commission shall be filled by the person who had appointed the particular member, and for the unexpired term of office of that particular member. A vacancy caused by the expiration of the period for which the member was appointed shall be filled by a new appointment for a term of 5 years from the date of such expiration of the prior 5 year term notwithstanding when such appointment is actually made. The Commission shall obtain such personnel as to the Commission shall seem advisable to carry out the purposes of this Act and the work of the Commission. The Commission may appoint a General Attorney and define the duties of that General Attorney. The Commission shall hold regular meetings annually for the election of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer and for the adoption of a budget. Special meetings may be called by the President or by any 2 members. Each member shall take an oath of office for the faithful performance of his duties. Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Commission shall submit, to the General Assembly not later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, a detailed report covering its operations for the 2 preceding calendar years and a statement of its program for the next 2 years. The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act. (Source: P.A. 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

(70 ILCS 915/2.1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5003) Sec. 2.1. Grants; loans; contracts. The Commission may apply for and accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the State of Illinois, the federal government, any State or federal agency or instrumentality, or any other person or entity to be used for any of the purposes of the District and enter into any agreement with the State of Illinois, the federal government, any State or federal instrumentality, or any person or entity in relation to the grants, matching grants, loans, or appropriations. The Commission also may, by contractual agreement, accept and collect assessments or fees for District enhancement and improvements, common area shared services, shared facilities, or other activities or expenditures in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/3) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5004) Sec. 3. Property; acquisition. The Commission is authorized to acquire the fee simple title to real property lying within the District and personal property required for its purposes, by gift, purchase, or otherwise, and title thereto shall be taken in the corporate name of the Commission. The Commission may acquire by lease such real and personal property found by the Commission to be necessary for its purposes and to which the Commission finds that it need not acquire the fee simple title for carrying out of such purposes. All real and personal property within the District, except that owned and used for purposes authorized under this Act by medical institutions or allied educational institutions, hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, dormitories or homes for the nurses, doctors, students, instructors or other officers or employees of the aforesaid institutions located in the District, or any real property which is used for offices or for recreational purposes in connection with the aforesaid institutions, or any improved residential property within a currently effective historical district properly designated under a federal statute or a State or local statute that has been certified by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Treasury as containing criteria which will substantially achieve the purpose of preserving and rehabilitating buildings of historical significance to the district, may be acquired by the Commission in its corporate name under the provisions for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(70 ILCS 915/3.5) Sec. 3.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(70 ILCS 915/4) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5005) Sec. 4. The Commission may, in its corporate capacity, construct or cause or permit to be constructed in such District, hospitals, sanitariums, clinics, laboratories, or any other institution, building or structure or other ancillary or related facilities which the Commission may, from time to time, determine are established and operated for the carrying out of any aspect of the Commission's purpose as set forth in this Act, or are established and operated for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of human ailments and injuries, whether physical or mental, or to promote medical, surgical, and scientific research and knowledge, or for any uses the Commission shall determine will support and nurture facilities, and uses permitted by this Act, or for such nursing, extended care, or other facilities as the Commission shall find useful in the study of, research in, or treatment of illnesses or infirmities peculiar to aged people, after a public hearing to be held by any Commissioner or other person authorized by the Commission to conduct the same, which Commissioner or other person shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations and take the testimony of witnesses and receive such documentary evidence as shall be pertinent, the record of which hearing he shall certify to the Commission, which record shall become part of the records of the Commission, notice of the time, place, and purpose of such hearings to be given by a single publication notice in a secular newspaper of general circulation in the city of Chicago at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, or for such institutions as shall engage in the training, education, or rehabilitation of persons who by reason of illness or physical infirmity are wholly or partially deprived of their powers of vision or hearing or of the use of such other part or parts of their bodies as prevent them from pursuing normal activities of life, or office buildings for physicians or dealers in medical accessories, or dormitories, homes or residences for the medical profession, including interns, nurses, students or other officers or employees of the institutions within the District, or for the use of relatives of patients in the hospitals or other institutions within the District, or for the rehabilitation or establishment of residential structures within a currently effective historic district properly designated under a federal statute or a State or local statute that has been certified by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Treasury as containing criteria which will substantially achieve the purpose of preserving and rehabilitating buildings of historic significance to the district, or in the area of such District located west of South Damen Avenue and north of West Polk Street, commonly known as the Chicago Technology Park or such other areas of the District as the Commission shall designate, for research, development and resultant production, in any of the fields of medicine, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, physics and genetically engineered products, for biotechnology, information technology, medical technology, or environmental technology, or for the research and development of engineering or for computer technology related to any of the purposes for which the Commission may construct structures and improvements within the District. The Commission shall administer and exercise ultimate authority with respect to the development and operation of the Chicago Technology Park, and any extensions or expansion thereof. In addition, the Commission may create a development area within the area of the District located south of Roosevelt Road, called the District Development Area in this Act. Within the District Development Area the Commission may cause to be acquired or constructed commercial and other types of development, public and private, if the Commission determines that the commercial developments are ancillary to and necessary for the support of facilities within the District and any other purposes of the District, after a public hearing held by a commissioner or the person authorized by the Commission to conduct the hearing. The Commissioner or other authorized persons shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, take the testimony of witnesses, receive pertinent evidence, and certify the record of the hearing to the Commission. The record of the hearing shall become part of the Commissions records. Notice of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing shall be given by a single publication notice in a secular newspaper of general circulation in the City of Chicago at least 10 days before the date of the hearing. In addition to the powers set forth above, the Commission may sell, lease, develop, operate, and manage for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, either public or private, all or any part of the land, buildings, facilities, equipment, or other property included in the District Development Area and any medical research and high technology park or the designated commercial development area upon the terms and conditions the Commission may deem advisable, and may enter into any contract or agreement with any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, either public or private, or any combination of the foregoing, as may be necessary or suitable for the creation, marketing, development, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, financing, operation and maintenance, and management of the District Development Area and any technology park or designated commercial development area; and may sell or lease to any person, firm, partnership, or corporation, either public or private, any part or all of the land, building, facilities, equipment, or other property of the park or the designated commercial development area upon the rentals, terms, and conditions as the Commission may deem advisable; and may finance all or part of the cost of the Commission's development and operation of the District Development Area as well as any park or the designated commercial development area, including the creation, marketing, development, purchase, lease, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, remodeling, addition to, extension, and maintenance of all or part of the high technology park or the designated commercial development area, and all equipment and furnishings, by legislative appropriations, government grants, contracts, private gifts, loans, bonds, receipts from the sale or lease of land for the operation of the District and any high technology park or the designated commercial development area, rentals, and similar receipts or other sources of revenue legally available for these purposes. The Commission shall promulgate rules concerning the procurement of contracts and purchases. The Commission also may defray the expenses of the operation of the District Development Area and technology park, improvements to the District Development Area and technology park, provision of shared services, common facilities and common area expenses, benefiting owners and occupants of property within the District Development Area and the technology park by general assessment, special assessment, or the imposition of service or user fees. As to the entities eligible to be members of the advisory District Member Council, such assessments or impositions may be undertaken only with District Member Council consent as provided in Section 8. For a period of 6 years after July 1, 1995, the Commission may acquire any real and personal property within the Development Area of the District by immediate vesting of title, commonly referred to as "quick-take", pursuant to Sections 7-103 through 7-112 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (Source: P.A. 97-825, eff. 7-18-12.)

(70 ILCS 915/4.5) Sec. 4.5. Quick-take powers. For a period of 9 months after November 1, 1993, for the purpose of acquiring a site for the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory at Chicago, on the block bounded by Roosevelt Road on the north, Wolcott Street on the east, Washburn Street on the south, and Damen Avenue on the west in Chicago, Illinois, the Commission may, by the exercise of quick-take eminent domain by immediate vesting of title under Sections 7-103 through 7-112 of the Code of Civil Procedure, acquire any real or personal property or any interest in that property that the Commission is authorized to acquire under Section 4 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 88-526.)

(70 ILCS 915/4.10) Sec. 4.10. The Commission may provide relocation assistance to persons and entities displaced by the Commission's acquisition of property and improvement of the District. The Commission is also authorized to acquire private real property by gift or voluntary purchase without the District if the Commission finds that the acquisition by gift or voluntary purchase is reasonably necessary to further and carry out the purposes of this Act. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/5) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5006) Sec. 5. To obtain the funds necessary for financing the acquisition of land, the acquisition or construction of any building hereinabove mentioned, and for the operation of the District as is in this Act set forth, the Commission may borrow money from any public or private agency, department, corporation or person, and mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the property or funds of the Commission. In evidence of and as security for funds borrowed, the Commission may issue revenue bonds in its corporate capacity to be payable from the revenues derived from the operation of the institutions or buildings, owned, leased, or operated by or on behalf of the Commission, but the bonds shall in no event constitute an indebtedness of the Commission or a claim against the property of the Commission. Such bonds may be issued in such denominations as may be expedient, and in such amounts and at such rates of interest as the Commission shall deem necessary to provide sufficient funds to pay all the costs of acquiring land, the construction, acquisition, equipping and operation of buildings within the District, including engineering and other expenses. Such bonds shall be executed by the president of the Commission, attested by the secretary thereof and sealed with the Commission's corporate seal. In case either of said officers of the Commission who shall have signed or attested any of such bonds shall have ceased to be such officer before delivery of such bonds, the signature of such officer shall be valid and sufficient to the same effect as if such officer had remained in office at the time of such delivery. The Commission shall furnish the State Comptroller with a record of all bonds issued under this Act. (Source: P.A. 97-825, eff. 7-18-12.)

(70 ILCS 915/5b) Sec. 5b. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00. Repealed by P.A. 97-825, eff. 7-18-12.)

(70 ILCS 915/6) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5009) Sec. 6. The Commission may sell, convey, transfer, or lease any title or interest in real estate owned by it to any person or persons, to be used, subject to the restrictions of this Act, for the purposes stated in Section 4, or for the purpose of serving persons using the facilities offered within the District or for carrying out of any aspect of the Commission's purpose as set forth in Section 2 of this Act, subject to such restrictions as to the use thereof as the Commission shall determine will carry out the purpose of this Act. To assure that the use of the real property so sold or leased is in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall inquire into and satisfy itself concerning the financial ability of the purchaser to complete the project for which said real estate is sold or leased in accordance with a plan to be presented by the purchaser or lessee, which plan shall be submitted, in writing, to the Commission. Such purchaser or lessee shall under such plan undertake (1) to use the land for the purposes designated in the plan so presented; (2) to commence and complete the construction of the buildings or other structures to be included in the project within such periods of time as the Commission fixes as reasonable; and (3) to comply with such other conditions as the Commission shall determine are necessary to carry out the project. Any real property sold by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall be sold at its use value, which may be more or less than its acquisition cost, and which use value represents the value at which the Commission determines, after a hearing by the Commission or by such person as the Commission designates to hold such hearing, such real property should be made available for sale or rental in order that it may be developed for the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act. In determining the use value of the real property, the Commission shall take into consideration whether or not said property is to be used by a wholly or partially tax supported body created under the laws of the State of Illinois, by any department of the State government or any political subdivision of the State, by a charitable institution, or by a private person or institution operating for profit; and the Commission shall also consider the contribution that the project will make toward the development of the District and the furtherance of the purposes of this Act in determining such use price, provided, however, that the Commission may convey the fee simple title to land acquired by it, without the payment of any consideration, to the State of Illinois, any political subdivision thereof or to any body politic and corporate or public corporation created under the laws of the State of Illinois for the carrying out of any function of the State. At any hearing for the purpose of the Commission's making the aforesaid determinations, an investigation should be made and such witnesses and documentary evidence examined as will have bearing on the use value of the property to be sold or leased as is herein provided. The Commission shall designate a Commissioner or other person of legal age to conduct the hearing provided for herein, and such Commissioner or other person so designated by the Commission shall give reasonable notice to the interested parties of the time, place and purpose for the holding of such hearing. Such Commissioner or other person designated by the Commission to hold such hearing shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, and shall cause to be taken the testimony of witnesses and the production of papers, books, records, accounts and documents; and the person so designated to hold such hearing shall certify to the Commission the record of the proceedings held before him in connection with such hearing. Such record of proceedings shall become a part of the records of the Commission. All conveyances and leases authorized in this Section shall be on condition that, in the event of use for other than the purposes prescribed in this Act, or of nonuse for a period of one year, title to such property shall revert to the Commission. All conveyances and leases made by the Commission to any corporation or person for use of serving the residents or any person using the facilities offered within the District shall be on condition that in the event of violation of any of the restrictions as to the use thereof as the Commission shall have determined will carry out the purposes of this Act, that title to such property shall revert to the Commission. However, if the Commission finds that financing necessary for the acquisition or lease of any real estate or for the construction of any building or improvement to be used for purposes prescribed in this Act cannot be obtained if title to the land or building or improvement is subject to such reverter provision, which finding shall be made by the Commission after public hearing held pursuant to a single publication notice given in a secular newspaper of general circulation in the City of Chicago at least 10 days prior to the date of such hearing, such notice to specify the time, place and purpose for such hearing, and upon such finding being made, the Commission may cause such real property to be conveyed free of such reverter provision, provided that at least 5 members of the Commission vote in favor thereof. The Commission may also provide in the conveyances, leases, or other documentation provisions for notice of such violations or default and the cure thereof for the benefit of any lender or mortgagee as the Commission shall determine are appropriate. If, at a regularly scheduled meeting, the Commission resolves that a parcel of real estate leased by it, or in which it has sold the fee simple title or any lesser estate, is not being used for the purposes prescribed in this Act or has been in nonuse for a period of one year, the Commission may file a law suit in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located to enforce the terms of the sale or lease. In the event a reverter of title to any Property is ordered by the court pursuant to the terms of this Act, the interest of the Commission shall be subject to any then existing valid mortgage or trust deed in the nature of a mortgage, but in case the title is acquired through foreclosure of such mortgage or trust deed or by deed in lieu of foreclosure of such mortgage or trust deed, then the title to the property shall not revert, but shall be subject to the restrictions as to use, but not any penalty for nonuse, contained in this Act with respect to any mortgagee in possession or its successor or assigns. No conveyance of real property shall be executed by the Commission without the prior written approval of the Governor. Commission property leased or occupied by others for purposes permitted under this Act or Commission property held for redevelopment shall not constitute "property" for the purposes of the State Property Control Act. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/6.01) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5010) Sec. 6.01. Prior to the holding of any public hearing prescribed in Section 6 of this Act, or any meeting regarding the passage of any resolution to file a law suit, the Commission shall give notice to such grantee or lessee, or his or their legal representatives, successors or assigns, of the time and place of such proceeding. Such notice shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the Secretary of the Commission, or by any person authorized by the Commission to sign the same, setting forth any act or things done or omitted to be done in violation, or claimed to be in violation, of any restriction as to the use of such property, whether such restriction be prescribed in any of the terms of this Act or by any restriction as to the use of such property determined by the Commission pursuant to the terms of this Act. Such notice of the time and place fixed for such proceeding shall also be given to such person or persons as the Commission shall deem necessary. Such notice may be given by registered mail, addressed to such grantee, lessee, or to their legal representatives, successors or assigns, at the last known address of such grantee, lessee, or their legal representatives, successors or assigns. (Source: P.A. 83-858.)

(70 ILCS 915/6.03) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5012) Sec. 6.03. The Commission shall have power to adopt reasonable and proper rules and regulations relative to the exercise of its powers, and proper rules to govern its proceedings, and to regulate the mode and manner of all hearings held by it or at its direction, and to alter and amend same. (Source: Laws 1947, p. 1191.)

(70 ILCS 915/6.04) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5013) Sec. 6.04. Copies of all official documents, findings and orders of the Commission, certified by a Commissioner or by the Secretary of the Commission to be true copies of the originals thereof, under the official seal of the commission, shall be evidence in like manner as the originals. (Source: Laws 1947, p. 1191.)

(70 ILCS 915/6.06) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5015) Sec. 6.06. Any party may obtain a judicial review of final orders or decision of the Commission in the circuit court of the county in which the property involved in such proceeding is situated, or if such property is situated in more than one county, then of any one of such counties, only under and in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all existing and future amendments and modifications thereof, and the rules now or hereafter adopted pursuant thereto. Such circuit court shall take judicial notice of all the rules of practice and procedure of the Commission. (Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(70 ILCS 915/7) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5017) Sec. 7. The Commission may set apart any part of the District as a park and may construct, control and maintain the same or may provide by contract with the Chicago Park District or the City of Chicago for the construction, control and maintenance of any area within such District set apart as a park. (Source: Laws 1941, vol. 1, p. 303.)

(70 ILCS 915/8) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5018) Sec. 8. Master plan; improvement and management of District; building regulations; zoning. The Commission shall prepare a comprehensive master plan for the orderly development of all property within the District. The Commission shall so improve and manage such District as to provide conditions most favorable for the special care and treatment of the sick and injured and for the study of disease and for any other purpose in Section 4 of this Act. The Commission shall, by ordinance in the manner hereinafter set forth, classify, regulate and restrict the location and construction of all buildings within the District, shall regulate the height and size of such buildings, determine the area of open space within and around such buildings, fix standards of construction, control and regulate additions to or alterations of existing buildings and prohibit the use of buildings and structures incompatible with the character of the District, to the end that adequate light, air, quietness and safety from fire and from the communication of diseases and other dangers may be secured: Provided, that the power herein conferred shall not be so exercised as to deprive any owner of any existing property of its use or maintenance for the purpose to which it is now lawfully devoted nor to limit the expansion, design, location, maintenance, use, or occupancy of real property to be used by any governmental body, agency, or instrumentality in any manner set forth in this Section, provided that the property is devoted to any use or purpose permitted under this Act. Further provided, the power herein conferred shall not be exercised to restrict the use for any State or county purpose of any buildings existing within the District as of May 1, 1995 and either owned, operated, or managed on behalf of the county or by the Department of Central Management Services or for which the Department of Central Management Services shall be otherwise responsible as provided by law. The Commission shall request the City Plan Commission of the City of Chicago to recommend appropriate zoning regulations for the District which co-ordinate with the zoning of the surrounding sections of the City of Chicago. If, at the end of 60 days following such request, an ordinance has not been submitted to the Commission, the Commission may prepare a zoning ordinance either with or without the advice of the City Plan Commission. When such zoning ordinance is ready for adoption, the Commission shall cause notice of a public hearing to be posted in at least 4 conspicuous places within the District, at least 10 days before the date of such hearing. It shall also publish notice of such hearing in some newspaper of general circulation in the City of Chicago for 3 consecutive days. The hearing shall be held not earlier than ten days after the date of the last publication. Both types of notice shall contain the time and place of such hearing and the place where copies of the proposed ordinance may be examined. The hearing shall be held at the time and place specified and shall be adjourned from time to time until all interested parties have had an opportunity to be heard. The Commission shall invite the Chicago Plan Commission to attend such hearing and shall ask for suggestions of the Chicago Plan Commission as to the modification of the proposed ordinance. But all ordinances adopted by the Commission shall be subject to all restrictions upon the use and maintenance of property within the District prescribed by the Chicago zoning ordinance. After the adoption of said zoning ordinance or any other proper ordinance of the Commission, it may institute any appropriate action to prevent or abate any unlawful act within the District. Any government body, agency, or instrumentality owning or occupying property within the District may consent to be bound in whole or in part by the provisions of such master plan or development ordinance adopted by the Commission or the City. The Commission may establish an advisory council of 2 representatives of each of the major district members owning or occupying facilities within the District totaling a minimum of 500,000 square feet. Council members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of their respective governing boards. The council may assist the Commission in the fulfillment of its statutory purposes and responsibilities and the maintenance of the District. At the Commission's request, the council may review and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to the comprehensive master plan to be adopted by the Commission or any plan of development or occupancy of its facilities within the District presented to the Commission by any governmental body, agency, or instrumentality. The Commission may upon a unanimous request of the council provide for shared services and facilities within the District for members of the council. The Commission may provide, contract, and construct facilities and charge and collect fees necessary to supply these shared services and facilities so approved. The Commission may utilize any powers specified within this Act regardless of geographic boundary for or in support of a specific project, activity, or development if that request is made by a unanimous recommendation of all of the members of the member council. (Source: P.A. 89-356, eff. 8-17-95.)

(70 ILCS 915/9) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5019) Sec. 9. This Act shall not be construed to limit the jurisdiction of the City of Chicago to territory outside the limits of the District nor to impair any power now possessed by or hereafter granted to the City of Chicago or to cities generally except such as are expressly granted to the Commission by Section 8 of this Act. The property of the Commission shall be exempt from taxation, and shall be subject to condemnation by the State and any municipal corporation or agency of the state for any State or municipal purpose under the provisions for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

(70 ILCS 915/10) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5020) Sec. 10. Disposition of money. The Commission is authorized to use all money received from the sale or lease of any property, in excess of the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the obligation of any revenue bond issued pursuant to Section 5 and may also use all money received as rentals for the purposes of planning, acquisition, and development of property within the District and operation, maintenance and improvement of property of the Commission and for all purposes and powers set forth in this Act. The Commission shall annually cause to be audited by a certified public accountant all records and accounts of the Commission pertaining to the operation of the District. The Commission shall provide the General Assembly with the audits and shall post a copy on the Commission's website. (Source: P.A. 97-825, eff. 7-18-12; 98-37, eff. 6-28-13.)

(70 ILCS 915/11) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5021) Sec. 11. If any provision of this act is held invalid, such provision shall be deemed to be excised from this act and the invalidity thereof shall not affect any of the other provisions of this act. If the application of any provision of this act to any person or circumstance is held invalid, it shall not affect the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid. (Source: Laws 1947, p. 1191.)

(70 ILCS 915/12) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5022) Sec. 12. The Attorney General of the State of Illinois shall be the legal advisor to and shall prosecute or defend, as the case may be, all actions brought by or against the Commission. (Source: Laws 1953, p. 1019.)