Whenever a municipality with a population of less than 500,000 is authorized as provided in this Division 45, the municipality may levy each year a tax not exceeding .04% of the value of the taxable property within the municipality, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, for the maintenance or employment of a municipal band for musical purposes or for the maintenance and conduct of programs in the performing arts, or both.
     This authority shall be initiated by a petition signed by electors equal in number to 5% of the number of votes cast at the last preceding regular municipal election. The petition shall be filed with the municipal clerk and shall request that the question set forth in Section 11-45-2 be submitted to the electors.
     However, municipalities authorized to levy this tax on July 1, 1967 shall have a rate limitation of .04% or the rate limitation in effect on that date whichever is greater.
     The foregoing limitations upon tax rates may be increased or decreased under the referendum provisions of the General Revenue Law of Illinois.