Section 70 ILCS 2805/27 - Preventing pollution of waters(a) The board of trustees of any such sanitary district shall have power and authority to prevent the pollution of any waters from which a water supply may be obtained within said sanitary district, and shall have the right and power to appoint and support a sufficient police force, the members of which shall have and may exercise police powers over the territory within such sanitary district and over the territory included within a radius of fifteen miles from the intake of any such water supply, for the purpose of preventing the pollution of said waters, and over any interference with any of the property of such sanitary district: Provided, that before compelling a change in any method of disposal of sewage so as to prevent the said pollution of any water, the board of trustees of such sanitary district shall first have provided means to prevent the pollution of said water from sewage or refuse originating from their own sanitary districts. (b) Where any such sanitary district has constructed a sewage disposal plant and the board of trustees of such district finds that it will conduce to the public health, comfort or convenience, said board shall have power and authority to build and maintain a dam or dams or other structures in any river or stream flowing in or through such district at any point or points within the boundaries of such district or within three miles outside the boundaries thereof so as to regulate or control the flow of the waters of such river or stream and the tributaries thereof, but shall not take or damage private property without making just compensation as provided for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act . (c) After the construction of such sewage disposal plant, if said board finds that it will conduce to the public health, comfort or convenience, such board of trustees shall have power by whatever means necessary to remove debris, refuse and other objectionable matter from, keep clean and wholesome, and dredge, dam, deepen or otherwise improve the channel, bed or banks of any such river or stream, or any portion thereof, within the boundaries of any such sanitary district or within three miles outside the boundaries thereof. (d) The board of trustees of any sanitary district organized under this Act is authorized to apply to the circuit court for injunctive relief or mandamus when, in the opinion of the board of trustees, such relief is necessary to prevent the pollution of any waters from which a water supply may be obtained within the district. (e) The sanitary district shall have the power and authority to prevent the pollution of any waters from which a water supply may be obtained by any city, town or village. The sanitary district, acting through the chief administrative officer of such sanitary district, shall have the power to commence an action or proceeding in the circuit court in and for the county in which the district is located for the purpose of having the pollution stopped and prevented either by mandamus or injunction. The court shall specify a time, not exceeding 20 days after the service of the copy of the petition, in which the party complained of must answer the petition, and in the meantime, the party be restrained. In case of default in answer or after answer, the court shall immediately inquire into the facts and circumstances of the case and enter an appropriate order in respect to the matters complained of. An appeal may be taken in the same manner and with the same effect as appeals are taken in other actions for mandamus or injunction.Amended by P.A. 094-1055, § 95-10-270, eff. 1/1/2007.