A copy of the commission issued by the governor or by the president of the railroad company to any successor of any of the original trustees (or any of their successors) named in the Act of incorporation, certified by the Secretary of State under the great seal of the State, or by the commissioner of the land department of the railroad company or its president, under the common seal of the company, as the case may be, shall be sufficient prima facie evidence of the regular appointment and due authority of the person named as trustee in such commission.
8-1702.Appointment of trustees.
Article VIII. Evidence · Part 17. Title to Land of Illinois Central Railroad · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceTreats a properly certified copy of the commission appointing a successor Illinois Central Railroad trustee as sufficient prima facie proof of that trustee's regular appointment and authority.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/8-1702
Plain-English Summary
This section is the companion to Section 8-1701, addressing proof of a successor trustee's authority rather than land title itself. It covers any successor to one of the original trustees named in the Illinois Central Railroad's incorporating act, or any of their successors.
A copy of the commission appointing that trustee — issued by the governor or by the railroad's president — is sufficient prima facie evidence of the trustee's regular appointment and due authority, provided the copy is certified either by the Secretary of State under the state's great seal, or by the railroad's land-department commissioner or its president under the company's common seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whose appointment does this section make easier to prove?
A successor trustee to one of the original trustees named in the Illinois Central Railroad's incorporating act.
Who issues the commission this section refers to?
The governor, or the president of the railroad company.
How must the copy of the commission be certified?
By the Secretary of State under the state's great seal, or by the railroad's land-department commissioner or its president under the company's common seal.
What does a properly certified copy prove?
Sufficient prima facie evidence that the person named as trustee was regularly appointed and has due authority.
Does this section address land title itself?
No. That is Section 8-1701's role; this section is limited to proving a trustee's appointment and authority.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: illinois central railroad trustee appointmentrailroad trustee commission evidence illinoiscertified trustee commission prima facie evidence illinoisrailroad land trustee authority proof