Illinois Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State
source
Agency name	Illinois Secretary of State
Jurisdiction	Illinois General Assembly, Governor of Illinois
Headquarters	Springfield, Illinois
Minister responsible	Jesse White

Illinois Secretary of State. The Illinois Secretary of State is one of the six elected constitutional officers of Illinois, and is the keeper of the Great Seal of Illinois. The office is responsible for maintaining records of the official acts of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor of Illinois, including Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives bills, and is also responsible for the administration of the state's vehicle registration and driver's license system, as well as overseeing the state's library system, including the Illinois State Library. The current Illinois Secretary of State is Jesse White, who has been in office since 1999 and has worked with Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich, and Pat Quinn.

History

The office of the Illinois Secretary of State has a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of the state, with notable figures such as Shadrach Bond and Ninian Edwards serving in the role. The office has been involved in numerous significant events, including the Black Hawk War and the American Civil War, and has worked closely with other state officials, including Governor of Illinois Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The Illinois Secretary of State has also played a key role in the development of the state's infrastructure, including the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Illinois Central Railroad. The office has worked with various organizations, including the Illinois State Historical Society and the Chicago History Museum, to preserve the state's history and cultural heritage, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site and the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

Duties and responsibilities

The Illinois Secretary of State has a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including maintaining records of the official acts of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor of Illinois, as well as administering the state's vehicle registration and driver's license system, which involves working with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The office is also responsible for overseeing the state's library system, including the Illinois State Library, which provides resources and support to libraries across the state, including the Chicago Public Library and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign library. Additionally, the Illinois Secretary of State is responsible for maintaining the state's archives, which include documents and records from the Illinois State Archives and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The office works closely with other state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois State Police, to ensure the smooth operation of state government, including the administration of the Illinois Lottery and the Illinois Gaming Board.

List of officeholders

There have been numerous individuals who have served as Illinois Secretary of State, including Jesse White, James R. Thompson, and Alan J. Dixon. Other notable officeholders include Paul Powell, who served from 1965 to 1970, and Michael Howlett, who served from 1973 to 1977. The office has been held by individuals from both the Democratic and Republican parties, including Adlai Stevenson II and Richard B. Ogilvie. The list of officeholders includes George H. Ryan, Jim Edgar, and George W. Dunn, who have all played important roles in shaping the state's history and government, including the Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Supreme Court.

Organization and divisions

The office of the Illinois Secretary of State is organized into several divisions, including the Driver Services Division, which is responsible for administering the state's driver's license system, and the Vehicle Services Division, which is responsible for maintaining records of vehicle registrations and titles, and works with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. The office also includes the Index Division, which is responsible for maintaining records of the official acts of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor of Illinois, and the Library Division, which oversees the state's library system, including the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Library Association. The office is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, and has additional offices in Chicago, Illinois and other locations throughout the state, including the James R. Thompson Center and the Willis Tower.

Elections and succession

The Illinois Secretary of State is elected to a four-year term, with elections held in November of even-numbered years, as specified in the Illinois Constitution. The office is subject to the Illinois Election Code, which is administered by the Illinois State Board of Elections. In the event of a vacancy in the office, the Governor of Illinois is responsible for appointing a replacement, as specified in the Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Compiled Statutes. The office has been the subject of several notable elections, including the 1998 Illinois elections and the 2010 Illinois elections, which involved candidates such as Jesse White and Robert Enriquez. The office works closely with other state agencies, including the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Human Services, to ensure the smooth operation of state government, including the administration of the Illinois Medicaid program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Category:Illinois state government