70 ILCS 1860/3.1
It is declared that the main purpose of this Act is to promote economic development, including industrial, commercial and transportation activities, thereby reducing the evils attendant upon unemployment and enhancing the public health and welfare of this State.
All property of every kind belonging to the Port District shall be exempt from taxation, provided that taxes may be assessed and levied upon a lessee of the District by reason of the value of a leasehold estate separate and apart from the fee or upon such improvements as are constructed and owned by others than the District. All property of the District shall be construed as constituting public property owned by a municipal corporation and used exclusively for public purposes within the provisions of Section 15-155 of the Property Tax Code.
70 ILCS 1860/3.1