Under the Constitution of 1818 the authority to approve or veto bills passed by the General Assembly was assigned to the Council of Revision, the members of which were the Governor and the justices of the state Supreme Court. After passage by a majority of both chambers of the General Assembly, bills were presented to the Council for consideration and revision. If a majority of the Council objected to a bill it could be returned within ten days to the originating chamber. If upon reconsideration the bill received a majority of votes in both chambers of the General Assembly the bill became law. If the Council failed to take action within ten days after receiving a bill it became law without Council approval.
Beginning in 1831 the Secretary of State or his appointee acted as clerk to the Council of Revision (L. 1831, p. 169). The 1848 Constitution abolished the Council of Revision and assigned its functions regarding the approval or veto of bills solely to the Governor.
From the description of Minutes of Council proceedings, 1819-1847. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 36310461
