Any public health board established and maintained under "An Act to authorize cities and villages of more than 100,000 and less than 200,000 inhabitants to establish and maintain public health boards and to levy an annual tax therefor," approved March 4, 1937, as amended, which was in existence immediately prior to January 1, 1942 shall be treated as properly established under this Division 17 and shall be continued to be maintained under this Division 17 unless it is discontinued as provided in this Division 17. All cities and villages whose electors have approved the levy of an annual tax for a public health board under that Act may continue to levy the tax under this Division 17 without submitting the question of its levy to the electors for approval. The directors, assistants, or other employees appointed under that Act who were in office or employed immediately prior to January 1, 1942 shall continue in their offices and employments under this Division 17 until the respective terms for which they were elected or appointed have expired, subject to the applicable provisions of this Code or other Illinois statutes as to removal.
65 ILCS 5/11-17-12