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 of land for a public square and $50,000 to be used for State House construction. When Springfield was selected, its citizens agreed to make the required land and monetary donations and the new state capital was officially designated by an act of March 3, 1837.

That same act appointed three commissioners to supervise the first Springfield State House construction. However, 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 also was authorized to take possession of all building materials and the Auditor of Public Accounts was to receive all the commissioners' books, papers, maps, charts, and vouchers. The Treasurer and Secretary of State assumed responsibility for supervising building completion and an additional appropriation was authorized. The legislature made further biennial appropriations (1843-1851) for State House completion and an 1847 act named the Governor, Auditor of Public Accounts, and State Treasurer as commissioners to superintend the building's completion.

Additional appropriations for renovation and repairs continued until the construction of a new Springfield State House was authorized in 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 state repurchased the structure (1961) for restoration as a state historic landmark.

From the description of Record of actions of Board of Auditors to settle state house claims, 1841-1842. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 37596145