The county board of any county with a population of 1,000,000 or more may, before January 1, 1968, without referendum, incur an indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $10,000,000 for the purpose of hospital improvements, police equipment, and additional voting machines, and may levy a tax for the purpose of paying the principal and interest on such bonds.
55 ILCS 5/6-6001