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.

The State Treasurer took possession of all building materials while the Auditor of Public Accounts received the commissioners' records; and the Treasurer and Secretary of State assumed responsibility for supervising building completion. An additional appropriation was authorized and the legislature continued biennial appropriations for State House completion (1843-1851). Another act (1847) named the Governor, Auditor of Public Accounts, and State Treasurer as commissioners to superintend building completion.

Additional appropriations for renovation and repairs were made until new Springfield State House construction was authorized (1867). The first State House and public square were sold to Sangamon County which remodeled and used the building as a county courthouse until the structure was repurchased and restored as a historic landmark by the state (1961).

From the description of Ledger of expenses for completion of state house, 1841-1842. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 37596207