Illinois Statutes Chapter 65. Municipalities § 5/11-119.2-2. Legislative findings

(a) that adequate, economical and reliable sources of natural gas are essential to the orderly growth and prosperity of municipalities in the State of Illinois and that a shortage of such sources would endanger the safety, health and welfare of the residents of the State of Illinois and the growth and development of its municipalities;

(b) that municipal utility systems operating in the State of Illinois for the purpose of supplying natural gas have sustained greatly increased capital and operating costs, thereby adversely affecting the availability of adequate, economical and reliable sources of natural gas;

(c) that it is desirable for the State of Illinois to authorize municipal utility systems to jointly plan, finance, own and operate facilities relating to natural gas, plants and systems through the creation of joint agencies in order to achieve economies and efficiencies not possible for municipalities acting alone;

(d) that the joint planning, financing, ownership and operation of facilities relating to natural gas, plants and systems and the issuance of revenue bonds as provided herein is for a public use and serves a valid public purpose and is a means of achieving economy, adequacy and reliability in the supply of natural gas and meeting the future needs of the State of Illinois and its residents; and

(e) that the intent and policy of the General Assembly when enacting this Division is to enable municipal utility systems to jointly plan, finance, own and operate facilities for the exploration, production, acquisition, storage, transmission or distribution of natural gas and related facilities or other facilities necessary or convenient for the planning and operation of a system for production, acquisition, storage, transmission or distribution of natural gas.