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

Under an "Act to permanently locate a seat of government for the State of Illinois," the General Assembly voted on a permanent state capital site (Feb. 28, 1837), a selection contingent upon the designated city's citizens' donation of at least two acres for a public square and $50,000 to be used for State House construction. When Springfield was selected, its citizens agreed to met the land and monetary requirements and the new state capital was officially designated by an act of March 3, 1837.

That same act appointed three commissioners to supervise Springfield State House construction but financial difficulties arose, and the commissioners were dismissed by the General Assembly (1841). The Auditor of Public Accounts, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer were then appointed to audit and adjust the former commissioners' accounts. All arrearages were to be reported to the Attorney General who was authorized to bring suit against any commissioner whose accounts were found delinquent.

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