610 ILCS 5/27
An act entitled "An Act to amend 'an Act to provide for a general system of railroad incorporations,' approved November 5, 1849," approved February 13, 1857, and also all of an act entitled "An Act to provide for a general system of railroad incorporations," approved November 5, 1849, except the sections of the last named act numbered 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 45, and all laws in conflict with the provisions of this act, be and the same are hereby repealed: Provided, however, that all general laws of this state in relation to railroad corporations, and the powers and duties thereof, so far as the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall remain in force and be applicable to railroad incorporations organized under this act. The repeal of the acts and parts of acts mentioned in this section shall not be construed so as to affect any rights acquired thereunder; but all corporations formed or attempted to be formed under such acts or parts of acts, notwithstanding any defects or omissions in their articles of association, may, if they will adopt or have adopted this act, be entitled to proceed thereunder, and have all the benefits of this act; and all such corporations that have adopted or that will adopt this act, are hereby declared legal and valid corporations, within the provisions of this act, from the date of the filing of their respective articles of association. The fixing of the termini by any such corporation shall have the same effect as if fixed by the General Assembly. All corporations to which this act shall apply shall be held liable for, and shall carry out and fulfill all contracts made by them, or for, or on their behalf, or of which they have received the benefit, whether such corporation, at the time of the making of such contract or contracts, was organized, or had attempted to organize, under the general laws of the State of Illinois, or not; whether said contract was for right of way work and labor done, or materials furnished, or for the running of trains or carrying passengers or freight upon such road, or upon any other road in connection therewith. If such corporation has or does take possession of or use such right of way, labor or material so furnished by other persons or corporations, it shall be evidence of its acceptance of such contract so entered into by such person or corporation with said persons or corporations for its benefit. The corporation upon failing to pay the sum as it ought equitably to pay for such right of way, labor or materials, or failing to carry out such contracts so made with persons or corporations, it shall be held liable in a civil action for the recovery of the value of said right of way, labor or materials, and for damages for non-fulfillment of such contract, in any court of competent jurisdiction in any county through which the road of such corporation may be located. This act shall not in any manner legalize the subscription of any township, county or city to the capital stock of any railroad company, nor authorize the issuing of any bonds by any township, city or county in payment of any subscription or donation.
610 ILCS 5/27