Governor of Illinois

Governor of the Illinois Territory

Illinois Territory was formed on March 1, 1809, from Indiana Territory. It had only one governor appointed by the President of the United States before it became a state. From March to June, 1809, Territorial Secretary Nathaniel Pope served as acting governor; Ninian Edwards's arrival in Illinois ended Nathaniel Pope's brief administration

Governor.............Took office.................Left office...............Appointed by

Ninian Edwards Wednesday, March 1, 1809 Tuesday, October 6, 1818 James Madison

13th, Richard Yates, Term: Monday, January 14, 1861 to Monday, January 16, 1865

23rd, Charles S. Deneen, Term: Monday, January 9, 1905 to Monday, February 3, 1913

37th James R. Thompson, Term: Monday, January 10, 1977 to Monday, January 14, 1991