Illinois. Office of Secretary of State

The Office of Secretary of State, successor to the territorial Secretary, was established by the 1818 Constitution to keep both the state archives and a register of the Governor's official acts. The Secretary was appointed by the Governor until the 1848 Constitution made the office elective. In 1873, the Dept. of Archives and Index was created to "make and keep proper indexes to the executive records and all public acts, resolutions, papers and documents" filed with the Secretary of State. This Dept. concerned itself primarily with the care of current records until the establishment of an Archives Division within the State Library in 1921 allowed for the transfer of non-current records from the Index Dept.

When the Secretary of State was required to submit a biennial report to the Governor (1872), it became necessary to hire a bookkeeper to maintain the Secretary of State accounts. An Accounting Department was created (1927) to receive all fees collected by the Secretary. The bookkeeper continued to work independently until 1947, when the two offices were merged into one unit. Duties were again divided in 1957 between Accounting-Budget Division and Accounting-Revenue Division. These divisions became part of Fiscal Control Department (1973) which was created to receive and bank all revenues; maintain permanent expenditure record, prepare budges and to account for all capital expenditures for buildings and grounds, furniture and equipment under the Secretary's jurisdiction.

From 1840-1847 Illinois office of Secretary of State was held by Stephen A. Douglas, Lyman Trumbull and Thompson Campbell.

Illinois has had four constitutions since becoming a state in 1818: the first state constitution was in effect from 1818 until 1848; the second (1848-1870); the third (1870-1970) and the fourth (1970- ). Additionally, there were Constitutional Conventions in 1862 and 1922, but the constitutions from these two conventions were not ratified by the voters.

The Office of Secretary of State, successor to the territorial Secretary, was established by the Constitution of 1818 to keep the state archives and a register of the official acts of the Governor. The Secretary of State was appointed by the Governor until the Constitution of 1848 made the office elective. The Secretary was instructed to perform "such other duties as shall be assigned him by law," including maintaining the acts of the General Assembly, specified official records of the executive branch, and the Great Seal of Illinois.

The Office of Secretary of State, successor to the territorial Secretary, was established by the Constitution of 1818 to keep both the state archives and a register of the Governor's official acts. The Secretary of State was appointed by the Governor until the Constitution of 1848 made the office elective. In 1873, the Dept. of Archives and Index was created to "make and keep proper indexes to the executive records and all public acts, resolutions, papers, documents" filed with the Secretary of State. Among these records were files of deeds, abstracts and leases for state property.

The Secretary of State, successor to the territorial Secretary (1818- ) was appointed by the Governor until the 1848 Constitution made it an elective office. The Secretary administers various acts (e.g., Illinois Motor Vehicle Code); distributes official publications and serves as State Librarian, State Archivist, Court of Claims clerk, and custodian of capitol complex buildings and grounds. He is constitutionally required to maintain General Assembly acts, executive branch records and the Great Seal of Illinois. Until 1973, the Secretary supervised state elections; acted as Superintendent of Common Schools (1845-1854), State Sealer of Weights and Measures (1843-1883) and clerk to the Council of Revision (1831-1848).

When the Secretary of State was required to submit a biennial report to the Governor (1872), it became necessary to hire a bookkeeper to maintain the Secretary of State accounts. An Accounting Department was created (1927) to receive all fees collected by the Secretary. The bookkeeper continued to work independently until 1947, when the two offices were merged into one unit. Duties were again divided in 1957 between Accounting-Budget Division and Accounting-Revenue Division. These divisions became part of Fiscal Control Department (1973) which was created to receive and bank all revenues; maintain permanent expenditure records; prepare budgets and to account for all capital expenditures for buildings and grounds, furniture and equipment under the Secretary's jurisdiction.

Elected official who is in charge of licensing drivers, registering vehicles, issuing charters and certificates of authority for corporations, registering securities dealers, brokers, agents and solicitors, caring and maintaining the state capitol, and acting as the state librarian and head of the Illinois State Library.

After the enactment of a statute in 1872 requiring the Secretary of State to submit a biennial report to the Governor, it became necessary for the Secretary to employ a bookkeeper to maintain all accounts of his office (L. 1871, p. 749). In 1927 an Accounting Department was created by appropriation to receive all fees collected by the Secretary of State (L. 1927, p. 105). Until 1947 the bookkeeper continued to keep separate accounts of expenditures. At this time both offices were merged into one unit. These duties again were divided in 1957 between the Accounting-Budget Division and the Accounting-Revenue Division. In 1973 these divisions became part of the Fiscal Control Department which was created to receive and bank all Secretary of State revenues, maintain permanent records fo all expenditures, prepare the budget for submission to the General Assembly, and to account for all capital expenditures for buildings and grounds, furniture, and equipment under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State, successor to the territorial Secretary (1818- ) was appointed by the Governor until the 1848 Constitution made it an elective office. Performing "such other duties as shall be assigned him by law," the Secretary has administered various acts (e.g., Illinois Motor Vehicle Code; Illinois Business Corporation Act) and serves as State Librarian, State Archivist, clerk of the Court of Claims, and custodian of capitol complex buildings and grounds. He is constitutionally required to maintain the acts of the General Assembly, specified executive branch records and the Great Seal of Illinois; and distribute official publications. Until 1973, the Secretary supervised state elections; acted as Superintendent of Common Schools (1845-1854), State Sealer of Weights and Measures (1843-1883) and clerk to the Council of Revision (1831-1848).

When the Secretary of State was required to submit a biennial report to the Governor (1872), it became necessary to hire a bookkeeper to maintain the Secretary of State accounts. An Accounting Department was created (1927) to receive all fees collected by the Secretary. The bookkeeper continued to work independently until 1947, when the two offices were merged into one unit. Duties were again divided in 1957 between Accounting-Budget Division and Accounting-Revenue Division. These divisions became part of Fiscal Control Department (1973) which was created to receive and bank all revenues; maintain permanent expenditure record, prepare budgets and to account for all capital expenditures for buildings and grounds, furniture and equipment under the Secretary's jurisdiction.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts (e.g., Business Corporation Act; Railroad Act) by issuing charters for domestic (in-state) and permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amounts; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts (e.g., Business Corporation Act; Railroad Act). To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic ( in-state) and permits for foreign ( out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amounts; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amounts; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.

Until the adoption of the 1848 Constitution, all Illinois corporations were chartered by General Assembly special acts. Although the Secretary of State was authorized to charter and regulate specific corporation types, many firms continued to obtain General Assembly charters. After the 1870 Constitution prohibited corporation formation by special acts, an 1871 statute gave the Secretary of State exclusive corporation chartering and regulating responsibility. But the first corporation clerks were not hired until 1895, when the Corporations Division was created.

The Corporation Division administers Illinois general corporation acts including: Business Corporation Act of 1933; General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act of 1943; Cooperative Act of 1915; Agricultural Cooperative Act of 1923, and Railroad Act of 1872. To execute these acts' provisions, the Corporation Division issues charters for domestic (in-state) corporations; issues permits for foreign (out-of-state) corporations to do business in Illinois; maintains records (e.g., officers; authorized capital stock amount; bylaw changes; dissolutions) of all corporations operating in Illinois; files certified annual reports; assesses and collects franchise taxes and other fees.