Illinois Statutes Chapter 70. Special Districts § 605/9-4.1. Consolidation--Petition of Commissioners

§ 9-4.1. Consolidation--Petition of Commissioners. In addition to the method of consolidation provided in Section 9-2, the commissioners of contiguous districts may petition to consolidate the districts. Such petition must show: (a) the names of the districts proposed to be merged; (b) that the districts are contiguous; (c) the name of the proposed consolidated district and (d) the reasons for and the advantages to be derived from such consolidation. The petition shall be signed by a majority of the commissioners of each district proposed to be merged and shall be verified by at least one commissioner of each district proposed to be merged.

Time for hearing of the petition shall be fixed and notice thereof given as provided by Section 9-3.

At the hearing the court shall determine whether the districts are contiguous and whether such consolidation will be beneficial to a major portion of the lands in each district. If the court finds for the petitioners it shall order the merger of the districts into the consolidated district but if the court finds against the petitioners the petition shall be dismissed. In either event, the costs shall be taxed against the districts. The order shall be final. Separate or joint appeals may be taken by any of the parties affected thereby or by the commissioners of the districts, as in other civil cases.