Upon petition of the directors of any district, the Department may authorize that district to nominate and elect directors at annual meetings of the owners or occupiers of land, or both, lying within the district rather than according to the provisions of Section 20. Such meetings shall be held on or before March 1 of each year and directors elected at such meetings shall take office in the same manner as those elected pursuant to Section 20.
70 ILCS 405/20.01