Chicago Agency

Chicago Agency Soundex Code C220

The Chicago Agency was established in 1805 and was responsible for all of the Native Americans of Illinois and the southern part of what is now Wisconsin. During the years of its operation, the assignment of various tribes shifted quite often, as did the place the agencies reported. From 1821 to 1832, there was a sub-agency at Peoria which reported to the Chicago Agency for its first year of operation. The tribes assigned to that sub-agency were reassigned to the Chicago Agency when it was abolished in 1832.

The Chicago Agency was also sometimes called the Illinois Agency. The Chicago Agency was discontinued at the end of 1834 and the Native Americans under its supervision were removed to areas west of the Mississippi River, but the Chicago agent continued to perform the duties as Superintendent of Emigration, so correspondence was still filed under the Chicago heading until as late as 1847.