Illinois § 17

Full text of Illinois Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17.

Each corporation organized under this Act shall have power: (1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its corporate name; (2) To have perpetual succession, unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles of incorporation; (3) To adopt a corporate seal and to use it, or a facsimile thereof, as required or permitted by law; (4) To borrow money and otherwise incur indebtedness for any of the purposes of the corporation; to issue its bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, therefor; and to secure the same by mortgage, pledge, deed of trust or other lien on its property, franchises, rights and privileges of every kind and nature or any part thereof; (5) To lend money to, and to guarantee, indorse, or act as surety on the bonds, notes, contracts or other obligations of, or otherwise assist financially any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership or joint venture, other than a financial institution, and to establish and regulate the terms and conditions with respect to any such loans or financial assistance and the charges for interest and service connected therewith; but no such corporation shall make any loan unless the borrower submits satisfactory evidence that his or its application for a loan has been rejected by at least one conventional lending institution; (6) To purchase, receive, hold, lease or otherwise acquire, and to sell, convey, mortgage, lease, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors may deem advisable, real and personal property, together with such rights and privileges as may be incidental and appurtenant thereto and the use thereof, including, but not restricted to, any real or personal property acquired by the corporation from time to time in the satisfaction of debts or enforcement of obligations; (7) To acquire the good will, business, rights, real and personal property and other assets, or any part thereof, of such persons, firms, corporations, joint stock companies, associations, partnerships, joint ventures or trusts as may be in furtherance of the corporate purposes provided herein, and to assume, undertake, guarantee or pay the obligations, debts and liabilities of any such person, firm, corporation, joint stock company, association or trust, other than a financial institution; (8) To acquire improved or unimproved real estate for the purpose of constructing industrial plants or other business establishments thereon or for the purpose of disposing of such real estate to others for the construction of industrial plants or other business establishments, and, in furtherance of the corporate purpose provided herein, to acquire, construct or reconstruct, alter, repair, maintain, operate, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of industrial plants or business establishments; (9) To acquire, subscribe for, own, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of the stock, shares, bonds, debentures, notes or other securities and evidences of interest in, or indebtedness of, any person, partnership, firm, corporation, joint stock company, association, trust or other joint ventures, and, while the owner or holder thereof, to exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership, including the right to vote thereon; (10) To invest idle funds, temporarily, in United States Government securities. However, no calls for loans from its members shall be made without applying such idle funds, although so invested, to the purpose for which such call is made; (11) To cooperate with and avail itself of the facilities of governmental agencies; and to cooperate with and assist, and otherwise encourage, local organizations in the several communities of the State the purpose of which shall be the promotion, assistance and development of the business prosperity and economic welfare of such communities and of this State; (12) To make any and all contracts and to do and perform any and all acts necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers granted by this Act; (13) To elect or appoint officers, agents and employees of the corporation and to define their duties and fix their compensation; (14) Subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Act, to conduct its business within or without this State; (15) To accept gifts or grants of money, service or property, real or personal. No development credit corporation has power to assume the management and control of a business enterprise except in cases of default on loans extended to the business enterprise when the loan agreement so provides and, in such cases, the development credit corporation must divest itself of control within 2 years. (Source: P.A. 82-933.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois § 17

What does Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17 cover?

Section 17 is part of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the codified statutory law of Illinois. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Illinois § 17?

A common citation format is "Illinois Compiled Statutes § 17" (Illinois). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Illinois law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Illinois official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Illinois attorney.

How does Illinois § 17 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Illinois can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.