Illinois Board of State House Commissioners (Second Springfield State House)

The Illinois General Assembly appointed seven commissioners to supervise the construction of a new State House in Springfield (1867). Construction began in 1868 but the 1870 Constitution limited construction expenditures to $3.5 million and provided that no additional appropriations could be made without approval by statewide referendum. When the spending limit was reached (1876), the building's exterior was nearly complete but the interior was substantially unfinished. Work was suspended due to a lack of funds; the commissioners' salaries were suspended (1877); and the board officially abolished (1879). Appropriation authorization referendum were defeated in 1878, 1880, and 1882 but the 1883 legislation calling for another vote authorized the Governor to appoint three commissioners to superintend building completion. Following the referendum's passage (1884) and appropriation confirmation (1885), the new commissioners assumed office and continued their work until the State House was completed (1888).