70 ILCS 405/11
After the Department has made and recorded a determination that there is need, in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, for the organization of a district in a particular territory and has defined the boundaries thereof, it shall consider the question whether the operation of a district within such boundaries with the powers conferred upon soil and water conservation districts in this Act is administratively practicable and feasible. To assist the Department in the determination of such administrative practicability and feasibility, it shall within a reasonable time after entry of the determination that there is need for the organization of the proposed district and the determination of the boundaries thereof, hold a referendum within the proposed district upon the proposition of the creation of the district, and cause due notice of any such referendum to be given.
The question shall be submitted upon ballot in substantially the following form:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Place an X in the square opposite the proposition for which you desire to vote. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For creation of a soil and water conservation district of the lands described below and situated in the county or counties of (here in- sert name of county or counties). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Against creation of a soil and water conservation district of the lands described below and situated in the county or counties of (here insert name of county or counties). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Here insert description.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only owners of land lying within the boundaries of the proposed district as determined by the Department shall be eligible to vote in such referendum, and each such owner of land shall have one vote. Owners of land may vote in person or by absentee ballot.
In all cases where a petition for the organization of a district carries the names of more than 55 per cent of the land owners within the proposed district, the Department may determine the question of whether the operation of the district is administratively practicable and feasible without holding a referendum.
70 ILCS 405/11