In force Feb.[February] 26, 1841.
An ACT to extend the corporate powers of the corporation of Beardstown.
1May purchase real estate.
Proviso.
May hold lots
Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the corporation of the town of Beardstown, be, and they are hereby authorized to acquire by purchase or otherwise, any real estate
lying within three miles of said town: Provided, Said real estate embrace only such lands, known as waste and inundated lands; said corporation are also hereby authorized and empowered to purchase and hold such lots and parts
of lots inBeardstown as may be necessary and proper for the building of and erecting wharfs for said town.
To lease and sell lands.
By-laws and ordinances.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That said corporation shall have power and authority to sell or lease said lands in lots, and to appropriate
any lands belonging to said corporation to the purpose of draining said overflowed or waste lands, or to the erection of
wharfs as aforesaid, and said corporation are hereby further empowered to make any and all such by-laws or ordinances that may be necessary and proper for the purpose of regulating the
same; and for the purpose of carrying into effect the powers herein granted, and the
objects of this act not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State.2
Approved, February 26, 1841.
1Richard Murphy introduced HB 271 in the House of Representatives on February 16, 1841. The House passed the bill on February 20. The Senate concurred on February 25. On February 26, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 408, 445, 453, 509, 528, 530, 550; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 360-61, 405.
2Leaders of Beardstown had incorporated the town under provisions of a general incorporation act enacted
in 1831. In 1837, the General Assembly passed an act legalized this incorporation. HB 271 extended the corporate powers of the Beardstown corporation beyond those powers delineated
in section five of the 1831 act.
“An Act to incorporate the inhabitants of such towns as many wish to be incorporated,”
12 February 1831 The Revised Laws of Illinois (1833), 362-66.
Printed Document, 1 page(s), Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Twelfth General Assembly (Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1841), 340, GA Session 12-2,