610 ILCS 5/5
No such corporation shall be formed to continue more than 50 years in the first instance, but any railroad company formed under any law of the state may be renewed from time to time, for periods not longer than 50 years: Provided, that three-fourths of the votes cast at any regular election for that purpose shall be in favor of such renewal, and those desiring a renewal shall agree to purchase the stock of those opposed thereto at its current value.
Whenever any such election is held by any railroad company, a certificate, showing the proceedings of the meeting and verified by the president or a vice president of the corporation and the secretary thereof, with the seal of the corporation, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State within 30 days after the meeting, and upon the filing of such certificate and the payment of the same fees as is provided for in the "Business Corporation Act of 1983", as amended, for filing articles of amendment and issuing a certificate of amendment, and the payment of recording fees as required for recording any other document in the office of the Secretary of State, the duration of such corporation shall thereby be extended, in accordance with the vote of the stockholders, for an additional period not longer than 50 years: Provided, in case where such renewal is of any railroad company previously incorporated under a special act of the Legislature, then such renewal and extension of such company shall be under and subject to all the provisions of the general laws of this state relating to railroads, and such company shall have such powers only as provided for in this act.
610 ILCS 5/5