Whenever, immediately prior to January 1, 1942, authority of law existed in corporate authorities to levy special assessments or special taxes for local improvements, and for that purpose to use the proceedings provided by Article 9 of an act entitled “An Act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages,” approved April 10, 1872, as amended, or by “An Act concerning local improvements,” approved June 14, 1897, as amended, such corporate authorities are authorized to make use of the provisions of this Division 2 for the purpose, with the same effect, and to the same extent as heretofore authorized to use the provisions of either mentioned act. Any such corporate authorities as may be on and after January 1, 1942, authorized by law to levy such special assessments or special taxes, whether otherwise expressly authorized thereto or not, may make use of the provisions of this Division 2 in like manner.
     If, in any such case, a board of local improvements, as required in this Division 2, does not exist, the corporate authorities shall take such steps for a public hearing, on the subject of the proposed improvement, to be paid for by special assessment or special taxation, as are required in this Division 2 of the board of local improvements, and they shall act as such a board in the manner provided in this Division 2, as nearly as may be, both in originating the improvement and in executing the work and making payment therefor.