§ 9 — Revenue bonds

(a) The Authority shall have the continuing power to issue revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000,000 for the purpose of developing, constructing, acquiring, or improving projects, including those established by business entities locating or expanding property within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority, for entering into venture capital agreements with businesses locating or expanding within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority, for acquiring and improving any property necessary and useful in connection therewith, and for the purposes of the Employee Ownership Assistance Act. The bonds must be issued under the supervision of the Illinois Finance Authority, as set forth under Section 825-13.5 of the Illinois Finance Authority Act. For the purpose of evidencing the obligations of the Authority to repay any money borrowed, the Authority may, pursuant to resolution, from time to time issue and dispose of its interest bearing revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness and may also from time to time issue and dispose of such bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness to refund, at maturity, at a redemption date or in advance of either, any revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness pursuant to redemption provisions or at any time before maturity. All such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness shall be payable solely from the revenues or income to be derived from loans made with respect to projects, from the leasing or sale of the projects, or from any other funds available to the Authority for such purposes, including, when so provided by ordinance of the Authority authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds or notes. The revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness may bear such date or dates, may mature at such time or times not exceeding 35 years from their respective dates, may bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the maximum rate permitted by the Bond Authorization Act, may be in such form, may carry such registration privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable at such place or places, may be made subject to redemption in such manner and upon such terms, with or without premium as is stated on the face thereof, may be authenticated in such manner, and may contain such terms and covenants as may be provided by an applicable resolution. (b) The holder or holders of any revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by the Authority may bring suits at law or proceedings in equity to compel the performance and observance by any corporation or person or by the Authority or any of its agents or employees of any contract or covenant made with the holders of such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, to compel such corporation, person, the Authority, and any of its agents or employees to perform any duties required to be performed for the benefit of the holders of any such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness by the provision of the resolution authorizing their issuance and to enjoin such corporation, person, the Authority, and any of its agents or employees from taking any action in conflict with any such contract or covenant. (c) If the Authority fails to pay the principal of or interest on any of the revenue bonds or premium, if any, as the same become due, a civil action to compel payment may be instituted in the appropriate circuit court by the holder or holders of the revenue bonds on which such default of payment exists or by an indenture trustee acting on behalf of such holders. Delivery of a summons and a copy of the complaint to the Chairperson of the Board shall constitute sufficient service to give the circuit court jurisdiction of the subject matter of such a suit and jurisdiction over the Authority and its officers named as defendants for the purpose of compelling such payment. Any case, controversy, or cause of action concerning the validity of this Act relates to the revenue of the State of Illinois. (d) Notwithstanding the form and tenor of any such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness and in the absence of any express recital on the face of any such revenue bond, note, or other evidence of indebtedness that it is nonnegotiable, all such revenue bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness shall be negotiable instruments. Pending the preparation and execution of any such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, temporary revenue bonds, notes, or evidences of indebtedness may be issued as provided by ordinance. (e) To secure the payment of any or all of such revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, the revenues to be received by the Authority from a lease agreement or loan agreement shall be pledged, and, for the purpose of setting forth the covenants and undertakings of the Authority in connection with the issuance thereof and the issuance of any additional revenue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness payable from such revenues, income, or other funds to be derived from projects, the Authority may execute and deliver a mortgage or trust agreement. A remedy for any breach or default of the terms of any such mortgage or trust agreement by the Authority may be by mandamus proceedings in the appropriate circuit court to compel the performance and compliance therewith, but the trust agreement may prescribe by whom or on whose behalf the action may be instituted. (f) The revenue bonds or notes shall be secured as provided in the authorizing ordinance which may, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, include in addition to any other security a specific pledge or assignment of and lien on or security interest in any or all revenues or money of the Authority from whatever source which may by law be used for debt service purposes and a specific pledge or assignment of and lien on or security interest in any funds or accounts established or provided for by ordinance of the Authority authorizing the issuance of such revenue bonds or notes. (g) The State of Illinois pledges to and agrees with the holders of the revenue bonds and notes of the Authority issued pursuant to this Section that the State will not limit or alter the rights and powers vested in the Authority by this Act so as to impair the terms of any contract made by the Authority with such holders or in any way impair the rights and remedies of such holders until such revenue bonds and notes, together with interest thereon, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of such holders, are fully met and discharged. The Authority is authorized to include these pledges and agreements of the State in any contract with the holders of revenue bonds or notes issued pursuant to this Section. (h) Under no circumstances shall any bonds issued by the Authority or any other obligation of the Authority be or become an indebtedness or obligation of the State of Illinois or of any other political subdivision of or municipality within the State, nor shall any such bond or obligation be or become an indebtedness of the Authority within the purview of any constitutional limitation or provision, and it shall be plainly stated on the face of each bond that it does not constitute such an indebtedness or obligation but is payable solely from the revenues or income as aforesaid. (i) For the purpose of financing a project pursuant to this Act, the Authority shall be authorized to apply for an allocation of tax-exempt bond financing authorization provided by Section 11143 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59, as well as financing available under any other federal law or program.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 96-234, eff. 1-1-10.)