Illinois § 5-109

§ 5-109.

When the county board determines that the public and economic interest is served by vacating a county highway or part of it, it may vacate that highway or part of it by resolution adopted by the favorable vote of 2/3 of the members of the county board, subject to the approval of the Department. The vote of each member shall be entered on the records of the county board. Prior to acting on such vacation resolution, the county board shall give at least 10 days' notice of the time and place of the county board meeting at which said resolution is to be considered, by publication in at least one newspaper published in the township or road district, or in the absence of such published newspaper, in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the township or road district, or in the absence of such generally circulated newspaper at the time prescribed for notice, by posting notices in 5 of the most public places in the township or road district in the vicinity of the road to be vacated. The resolution may provide that it is not effective until the owners of property abutting on the highway or part of it to be vacated pay compensation in an amount which, in the judgment of the county board, is not in excess of the fair market value of a similar acreage abutting the highway. If there are public service facilities on the highway or part of it, the resolution shall reserve to the public body or public utility owning the facilities, the property, rights of way and easements existing at the time of vacating the highway for the maintenance, renewal and reconstruction of the same. The determination of the county board that the nature and extent of the public and economic interest to be served warrants the vacation, reconstruction or relocation pursuant to this Section or Section 5-110 of the Code of any county highway or part of it, is conclusive, and the passage of the resolution is sufficient evidence of that determination, whether recited in the resolution or not. The relief to the public from further burden and responsibility of maintaining a highway or part of it constitutes a public and economic interest authorizing the vacation or relocation. When property is damaged by the vacation of a county highway or part of it, the damage shall be ascertained and paid as provided by law. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 3388.)