§4402. Franchises for railroads and appurtenances in municipalities of less than 75,000
The governing authority of any municipality having a population not exceeding seventy-five thousand, may grant a franchise to any person to locate, construct, and operate railroads, spur tracks, switch tracks, turn-outs, sidings, and other appurtenances, upon, through, and across the streets, alleys, and other public places in the municipality, for a term not to exceed twenty-five years from the date of the grant, under any conditions prescribed by the governing authority in the ordinance granting the franchise. This Section shall not apply to street car lines, or street railroads. If any existing franchise is extended by the governing authority before its expiration, the whole term of the franchise shall not exceed twenty-five years from the date of extension.