The Illinois State Archives Collection Chicago City Council Proceedings Files, 1833-1871 is located at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Per the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) website:

“ The Proceedings contain all business of the Chicago City Council including, petitions, resolutions, ordinances, remonstrances, acts and orders of the city council; communications with the city council; reports of committees and officers; reports of teachers; physicians' reports on deaths from smallpox and cholera; accounts of treasurers and other city officers; claims against the city; election returns and poll lists; lists of licenses issued; bonds and oaths of officials; commissions, appointments and resignations of officials; tax assessment rolls; and calls for special meetings.”

The website offers a searchable index of the Chicago City Council Proceedings Files at  https://www.ilsos.gov/isairad/chicagocouncilsrch.jsp

This is a treasure trove of information that could possibly help with your pre-fire research.   

So, what does the documents in these files look like? What kind of information are included? Fifty examples along with transcriptions have been put online for everyone to view. These documents were originally complied into a teaching packet for Illinois teachers. It is a bonus for us genealogists and family historians to view them.

Examples include:

Physician’s Cholera Report

Petition for the Appointment of a German Constable

Petition of Fireman for an Engine House

All fifty documents and transcriptions can be found on the Cyber Drive Illinois website https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/early_chicago/documents.html

Hopefully, these examples will inspire you to take a look at the Chicago City Council Proceedings Files for your pre-fire research. Happy researching!