From log cabin to stone structure, the Coles County Courthouse has a lot of history.

In 1832, the courthouse was a log cabin located between 6th and 7th streets next to the town branch. In 1835, the log cabin courthouse closed its doors and a brick building was constructed. This is where President Abraham Lincoln would practice law and develop friendships that would help him through his career in politics.

The courthouse Coles County knows today was designed by architect Cornelius Rapp and built in 1898.

It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Jean Tipsword, Coles County supervisor of assessments, has worked at the courthouse for 37 years.

“It is all I know,” Tipsword said. “The Assessments office is responsible for the beginning basis of the taxation for real estate property.”

In accordance with state law, properties will assess at 33 and 1/3 of market value. The office is responsible for 26,000 parcels of real estate.

“This office didn’t come into being until 1957,” Tipsword said. “I found it ironic that even back in the ’50s the point of this office – even that many years ago – was still market value.”

“Taxes will always be collected,” Tipsword said. “I think that we are important because if the beginning of the tax process isn’t correct than I think your whole system can come off kilter a little bit.”

After the properties are assessed, the information is sent to County Clerk Sue Rennels and the tax rate is established.

But the County Clerk’s office has many duties besides setting the tax rate.

“We are the record keepers for the county. We record any document that anybody wants to record,” Rennels said. “We keep record of all marriage, death, birth certificates and DD214s (military discharge papers).”

After the County Clerk’s Office has sent out the taxes, the Treasurer’s Office has the responsibility to collect them from the 63 taxing bodies throughout the county.

Deputy Treasurer Carla Faw said the Treasurer’s Office also handles payroll, county investing, collects privilege tax (mobile home tax), inheritance tax, and keep all the financial records for the county. And as of October, they handle passports as well.

The second and third floors of the courthouse have up to five courtrooms and six judges between them.

Currently the office is busy preparing for Illinois’ primary election on Feb. 5.

“It is a very long process,” Rennels said.

People walk through the main corridor Thursday morning at Charleston County Courthouse. The courthouse used to be a log cabin back in 1832.

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