The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State is a constitutional office of the U.S. state of Illinois, established in 1818 when Illinois achieved statehood. The Secretary of State serves as the state’s chief administrator and record keeper, managing one of the largest such offices in the nation. The office oversees numerous essential government functions, including vehicle and driver licensing, business registrations, state archives, and securities regulation. Key responsibilities of the office include administering driver services facilities throughout Illinois, issuing driver’s licenses and state ID cards, managing vehicle registrations and titles, and overseeing the state’s organ and tissue donor registry. The office also serves as the state librarian, maintaining the Illinois State Library and its network of public libraries. Additionally, it functions as the state archivist, preserving important government and historical documents. The Secretary of State Police, a division of the office, enforces vehicle-related laws and investigates various crimes, including identity theft and securities fraud. The office also administers several safety programs, including teen driver education and DUI prevention initiatives. As the keeper of the Great Seal of Illinois, the Secretary of State authenticates official state documents and acts as the state’s chief protocol officer for visiting dignitaries and official functions.