Illinois Statutes Chapter 815. Business Transactions § 175/15-50. Evidentiary matters

(a) Certified copies of documents or records admissible in actions or proceedings under this Act. Copies of any statement or document filed with the Secretary of State, and copies of any records of the Secretary of State, certified to by the Secretary of State are admissible in any prosecution, action, suit or proceeding based upon, or arising out of or under, the provisions of this Act to the same effect as the original of the statement, document or record would be if actually produced.

(b) In any action, administrative, civil, or criminal, a certificate under the seal of the State of Illinois, signed by the Secretary of State, attesting to the filing of or the absence of the filing of any document or record with the Secretary of State under this Act, shall constitute prima facie evidence of the filing or of the absence of the filing, and shall be admissible in evidence in any administrative, criminal, or civil action.

(c) Any certificate pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this Section shall be furnished by the Secretary of State upon application therefor in the form and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule, and shall be accompanied by payment of a non-refundable certification fee in the amount specified by rule or order of the Secretary of State.