65 ILCS 5/11-122-3
For the purpose of acquiring street railways either by purchase or construction, as provided for in this Division 122, or for the equipment of any such street railways, any city may borrow money and issue its negotiable bonds therefor, pledging the faith and credit of the city. But no such bonds shall be issued unless the proposition to issue the bonds is first submitted to the electors of the city and approved by two-thirds of those voting thereon, nor shall the bonds be issued in an amount in excess of the cost to the city of the property for which the bonds are issued, ascertained as provided in this Division 122, and 10% of that cost in addition thereto.
In the exercise of the powers, or any of them, granted by this Division 122, a city has the power to acquire, take, and hold all necessary property, real, personal, or mixed, for the purposes specified in this Division 122, either by purchase or condemnation in the manner provided by law for the taking and condemning of private property for public use. However, in no valuation of street railway property for the purpose of any such acquisition, except of street railways now operated under existing franchises, shall any sum be included as the value of any earning power of that property or of the unexpired portion of any franchise granted by the city.
65 ILCS 5/11-122-3