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From: "Trev" <>
Subject: [ILHAMILT-L] Poor House
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2003 13:48:17 -0600


Public care of the poor in Illinois began in 1819. In that year, the General
Assembly passed a law mandating public care and maintenance of those unable
to support themselves and without family support. County overseers of the
poor farmed out care of the destitute to private citizens. [Laws of Illinois
1819, p. 127]

In 1839, this system was reauthorized. County commissioners' courts were
also authorized to establish county poorhouses, at their own discretion, to
replace the farm-out system; to hire keepers of the poor, and to levy a
property tax for poorhouse support. [Laws of Illinois 1839, p. 138] This
poorhouse authorization was renewed in 1845 and 1861. [Illinois Revised
Statutes 1845, p. 402; Laws of Illinois 1861, p. 181]

An 1874 law required all keepers (superintendents) of county poorhouses to
keep books of account. [Illinois Revised Statutes 1874, p. 754] The
superintendent was required to keep a record showing the name of each person
admitted to the county poorhouse; the time of his admission and discharge;
the place of his birth; whether his dependence resulted from idiocy, lunacy,
intemperance, or other causes, stating the cause; and is required, at the
same time each year, to file with the county clerk of his county a copy of
the same, together with a statement showing the average number of persons
kept in the poorhouse each month during the year. [Illinois Revised Statutes
1874, p. 758]

In 1917, counties were authorized to establish joint poorhouses and poor
farms with other counties; and in 1919, the county poorhouses' names were
changed to county homes. [Laws of Illinois 1917, p. 638; Laws of Illinois
1919, p. 698] The county home law was renewed in 1935 and 1945. [Laws of
Illinois 1935, p. 1055; Laws of Illinois 1945, p. 1139]

In 1949, the Public Assistance Code was passed, making relief of the
indigent a function of the new county departments of welfare. County homes
were reauthorized only for care of infirm or chronically ill persons;
counties were specifically forbidden from placing destitute but physically
healthy persons in the county homes. [Laws of Illinois 1949, p. 404] In
1967, the Public Aid code repealed the county home laws and deauthorized the
county homes remaining in Illinois. [Laws of Illinois 1967, p. 118]

(By 1870-1880 most counties had established a designated poor house. Before
that they were farmed out (or contracted too) a county resident for care and
sometimes this was in their own home...)

See http://www.poorhousestory.com/other_poorhouses.htm for state by state,
and county Poor Houses...

Best Regards, Trev


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