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 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 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 the building's completion. An additional appropriation was authorized and the legislature made further 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 the 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 by the state as a historic landmark (1961).

From the description of Minutes of Board of Commissioners to Superintend the Completion of the State House, 1847-1853. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 37596169