Drainage

Drainage Districts.  We represent a large number of drainage districts organized in Iroquois, Ford, and Champaign counties.  We prepare the documentation needed for the lawful operation of the districts each year.  We also advise the drainage commissioners regarding matters requiring court action.  Drainage commissioners can find a list of their annual responsibilities among the documents we provide below.

Landowners.  We assist landowners in drainage matters such as drainage tile agreements between farm tenants and their landlords, and drainage easement agreements among landowners.  In addition, we advise clients on general drainage rights and responsibilities.

Below are links to external content for your convenience. ​

Prevailing Wage - IL Department of Labor -  prevailing wage rates by county

Prevailing Wage Note:  As of September 25, 2017, the Department of Labor has posted technical corrections to its rates effective immediately.  In Iroquois County, "Operating Engineer" and "Skilled Laborer" were corrected; in Ford County, "Operating Engineer" rates were corrected.

Please notify contractors engaged in public works by your agency of these rate updates, which take effect immediately.

​Illinois Association of Drainage Districts ( IADD )

Open Meetings Act -  Attorney General Training

Freedom of Information Act -  Attorney General Training

Freedom of Information Act -  Attorney General Sample Forms & Letters ​

Illinois General Assembly -  Illinois Drainage Code

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NEW:  Public Act 100-0107 Law effective Jan 01, 2018, regarding local government consolidation.   This law makes changes to many parts of Illinois Law, including: the Election Code, the Township Code, the Home Equity Assurance Act, the Street Light District Act, and the Illinois Highway Code.   

As it applies to Drainage Districts, this law also makes changes to the Counties Code by expanding the law codified at  55 ILCS 5/5-44, effective in 2013, (which applied only to DuPage, Lake, and McHenry Counties), so that it will, upon its effective date, apply to all counties in Illinois (new 55 ILCS 5/5-44010).  This portion of the Counties Code is entitled "Local Government Reduction and Efficiency" and allows County Boards to dissolve "units of local government", defined below, under certain circumstances (see 55 ILCS 5/5-44025 for powers granted by the law): 

"Unit of local government" or "unit" means any unit of local government located entirely within one county, to which the county board chairman or county executive directly appoints a majority of its governing board with the advice and consent of the county board…. (New 55 ILCS 5/5-44020)

"Governing board" means the individual or individuals who constitute the corporate authorities of a unit of local government. (New 55 ILCS 5/5-44020)

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Commissioners who are concerned their District may be dissolved by the County Board may employ the portion of the Drainage Code that provides for a petition and referendum procedure to change from appointment to election.   70 ILCS 605/4-8

Below are documents available for download.  These are intended to be used only in conjunction with competent legal advice.  Please contact the attorney for your drainage district before employing any of the documents, forms, or advice contained herein.