Illinois. Board of Mental Health Commissioners

The Board of Public Welfare Commissioners was created in 1917 to serve as independent advisory board to both Governor and Department of Public Welfare (l. 1917, p. 26). Civil Administrative Code further empowered Board to study entire public welfare field and to publish statistics annually on mental health and crime. Board also investigated and reported upon policies of Department andinstitutions under its jurisdiction as well as surveying conditions at all state charitable, penal and reform institutions.

With creation of Department of Public Safety in 1941 Board also acquired investigative authority over institutions under Department of Public Safety's control (l. 1941, vol. 1, p. 1214). When Department of Mental Health assumed duties of Department of Public Welfare in 1961 Board's name changed to Board of Mental Health Commissioners (l. 1961, p. 2659).