Sec. 2. (a) The New Harmony and Wabash River bridge authority is established as a separate body corporate and politic of the state for the purposes set forth in section 6 of this chapter.

     (b) The bridge authority is an entity separate from the state or any entity responsible for appointing the initial members of the bridge authority. Though separate from the state and state entities, the bridge authority’s exercise of its powers constitutes an essential governmental, public, and corporate function when carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

     (c) The bridge authority has the power to make and enter into any contract that may be necessary to implement this chapter. The bridge authority’s contract power includes the ability to enter into an agreement or contract with the state of Illinois or any governmental entity in the state of Illinois to:

(1) jointly form the bridge authority; or

(2) grant to the bridge authority the power to own and operate assets in the state of Illinois that are transferred by the commission to the bridge authority.

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a contract made by the bridge authority is not subject to approval or ratification by any other board, body, or officer.

     (d) The bridge authority may exercise its powers with respect to the assets of the commission, including the power to contract with an entity, public or private, established in Illinois, to the extent permitted by Illinois law.

As added by P.L.185-2018, SEC.27.