Illinois Statutes Chapter 55. Counties § 5/5-15003. Department of public works

A. The county board may employ a superintendent of public works and such other employees for the administration of the department as may be necessary. The superintendent shall be a registered professional engineer, hold a degree in engineering from an accredited institution of higher learning, or have at least 10 years of professional, management-level experience in either a municipal or county public works department. The superintendent shall have complete authority to supervise and manage the department. At least one employee in the public works department shall be a professional engineer licensed under the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

B. Each county public works department shall be managed by a board of public works, consisting of 5 members appointed by the President and Chairman of the county board, with the approval of the county board, for a 3 year term, except that of the first appointees, 2 shall serve for one year, 2 for 2 years, and one for 3 years. The term of office of original appointees shall be regarded as beginning on July 1, following their appointment, and the term of all members shall continue until their successors are appointed. At least 2 members must be elected officials of municipalities within the county whose terms of office within the municipalities will not expire prior to the termination of appointment hereunder, one member must be a member of the county board whose term of office will not expire prior to the termination of appointment hereunder, one member must be a trustee of a Sanitary District within the county whose term of office will not expire prior to the termination of appointment hereunder, and one member must be chosen to represent the Conservation and Public Health interests. The members of the board shall receive compensation as provided by the county board. The board of public works may employ a superintendent of public works and any other employees for the administration of the department as may be necessary. The superintendent must be a registered professional engineer, hold a degree in engineering from an accredited institution of higher learning, or have at least 10 years of professional, management-level experience in either a municipal or county public works department. Any county may advance general funds for necessary studies or engineering for a project to be financed by revenue bonds and be reimbursed by the proceeds of such bonds. Any county may purchase such bonds with funds derived solely from the County Retailers Occupation Tax.