Constitution of the State of Illinois, 1818, Page 21

The printing presses shall be free to every person who undertakes to examine the proceedings of the general assembly, or of any branch of government; and no law shall ever be made to restrain the right thereof. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.

In prosecutions for the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers, or of men acting in a public capacity, or where the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence. And in all indictments for libels the jury shall have the right of determining both the law and the fact, under the direction of the court as in other cases.

That no inconveniences may arise from the change of a territorial to a permanent state government, it is declared by the convention, that all rights, suits, actions, prosecutions, claims and contracts both as it respects individuals and bodies corporate, shall continue as if no change had taken place in this government in virtue of the laws now in force.

All fines, penalties and forfeitures due and owing to the territory of Illinois shall enure to the use of the state. All bonds executed to the governor or to any other officer in his official capacity in the territory, shall pass over to the governor or to the officers of the state and their successors in office for the use of the state, by him or by them to be respectively assigned over to the use of those concerned as the case may be.