70 ILCS 2205/13

The board of trustees shall have power to lay out, locate, establish and construct one or more levees or embankments of such size, material and character as may be required to protect said district against overflow from any river, or tributary stream, or water-course, and to lay out, establish and construct all such other or additional improvements or works as may be auxiliary or incidental thereto, or promotive of the sanitary purposes contemplated in this act; and shall have power thereafter to maintain, repair, change, enlarge and add to such levees, embankments, improvements and work as may be necessary or proper to meet future requirements for the accomplishment of the purposes aforesaid.