Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the Sta[te] of Illinois represented in the General assembly That in all cases when contractos upon the Illinois and Michigan Canal, or upon any of the public works authorized by the State have or may depart this life before completing the contract, and the representatives of such contractor shall relinquish their right to complete the contract, such representatives shall be paid the value of the work executed, according to the price stipulated for in the contract, but this provision shall not interfere with the remedy of the State or any board with whom the contract may have been made, for noncompliance with the contract except in respect to the completion of the work after the death of the contractor.