(805 ILCS 5/Art. 11 heading)
(805 ILCS 5/11.05) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.05)
Sec. 11.05. Procedure for merger or consolidation. Any 2 or more corporations may merge into one of such corporations or consolidate into a new corporation in the following manner:
The board of directors of each corporation shall, by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the members of each such board, approve a plan of merger or consolidation setting forth:
(a) The names of the corporations proposing to merge or consolidate, and the name of the corporation into which they propose to merge, which is hereinafter designated as the surviving corporation or to consolidate, which is hereinafter designated as the new corporation.
(b) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation and the mode of carrying the same into effect.
(c) The manner and basis of converting the shares of each merging or consolidating corporation into shares, obligations or other securities of the surviving or new corporation, or into shares, obligations or other securities of any other corporation which immediately before or immediately after the merger or consolidation is effected is the owner of all of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation named as the surviving or new corporation, or into cash or other property, or into any combination of the foregoing.
(d) A statement of any changes in the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation to be effected by such merger or a statement of the articles of incorporation of the new corporation.
(e) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed necessary or desirable, including provisions, if any, under which the proposed merger or consolidation may be abandoned prior to the filing of articles of merger or consolidation by the Secretary of State.
(Source: P.A. 84-924.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.10) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.10)
Sec. 11.10. Procedure for share exchange. A corporation may acquire all of the issued or outstanding shares of one or more classes of another corporation in the following manner:
The board of directors of each corporation shall, by resolution adopted by a majority vote of members of each such board, approve a plan of exchange setting forth:
(a) The name of the corporation whose shares will be acquired and the name of the acquiring corporation.
(b) The terms and conditions of the exchange.
(c) The manner and basis of exchanging the shares to be acquired for shares, obligations, or other securities of the acquiring corporation or for cash or other property or for any combination of the foregoing.
(d) Other provisions considered necessary or desirable with respect to the exchange, including provisions, if any, under which the proposed exchange may be abandoned prior to the filing of articles of exchange by the Secretary of State.
This Section does not limit the power of a corporation to acquire all or part of the shares of one or more classes of another corporation through a voluntary exchange or otherwise by agreement with the shareholders.
(Source: P.A. 85-1269.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.15) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.15)
Sec. 11.15. Call of shareholders' meeting. The board of directors of each corporation, upon approving such plan of merger, consolidation or exchange, shall, if shareholders are entitled to vote on such plan, by resolution, direct that the plan be submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders, which may be either an annual or a special meeting. Written notice shall be given to each shareholder of record within the time and in the manner provided by this Act for the giving of notice of meetings of shareholders. Such notice, whether the meeting be an annual or special meeting, shall include a copy or a summary of the plan of merger, consolidation or exchange, as the case may be, and shall also inform the shareholders of their right to dissent in accordance with Section 11.70 and either enclose a copy of Section 11.70 or otherwise provide adequate notice of the procedure to dissent.
(Source: P.A. 83-1025.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.20) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.20)
Sec. 11.20. Approval by shareholders.
(a) A vote of the shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed plan of merger, consolidation or exchange shall be taken. The plan of merger, consolidation or exchange shall be approved upon receiving by each corporation the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on the plan unless any class or series of shares of any of such corporations is entitled to vote as a class on the plan in which event, as to such corporation, the plan of merger, consolidation or exchange shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the votes of the shares of each such class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class on the plan and of the votes of the total shares entitled to vote on the plan. Any class of shares of any such corporation shall be entitled to vote as a class if the articles of incorporation so provide or if the plan of merger, consolidation or exchange, as the case may be, contains any provision which, if contained in a proposed amendment to articles of incorporation, would entitle such class of shares to vote as a class.
(b) The articles of incorporation of any corporation may supersede the two-thirds vote requirement of this Section as to that corporation by specifying any smaller or larger vote requirement not less than a majority of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on the issue and not less than a majority of the votes of the shares of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class on the issue.
(c) No vote by the shareholders of a corporation that is a surviving party to a plan of merger or that is the acquiring corporation in a plan of exchange shall be required, unless its articles of incorporation provide to the contrary, if:
(Source: P.A. 89-48, eff. 6-23-95.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.25) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.25)
Sec. 11.25. Articles of merger, consolidation or exchange.
(a) Upon such approval, articles of merger, consolidation or exchange shall be executed by each corporation and filed in duplicate in accordance with Section 1.10 of this Act and shall set forth:
(b) When the provisions of this Section have been complied with, the Secretary of State shall file the articles of merger, consolidation, or share exchange.
(Source: P.A. 92-33, eff. 7-1-01.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.30) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.30)
Sec. 11.30. Merger of subsidiary corporation.
(a) Any corporation, in this Section referred to as the "parent corporation", owning at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of shares of any other corporation or corporations, in this Section referred to as the "subsidiary corporation", may merge the subsidiary corporation or corporations into itself or into one of the subsidiary corporations, if each merging subsidiary corporation is solvent, without approval by a vote of the shareholders of the parent corporation or the shareholders of any of the merging subsidiary corporations, upon completion of the requirements of this Section.
(b) The board of directors of the parent corporation shall, by resolution, approve a plan of merger setting forth:
(c) A copy of such plan of merger shall be mailed to each shareholder, other than the parent corporation, of a merging subsidiary corporation who was a shareholder of record on the date of the adoption of the plan of merger, together with a notice informing such shareholders of their right to dissent and enclosing a copy of Section 11.70 or otherwise providing adequate notice of the procedure to dissent.
(d) After 30 days following the mailing of a copy of the plan of merger and notice to the shareholders of each merging subsidiary corporation, or upon the written consent to the merger or written waiver of the 30 day period by the holders of all the outstanding shares of all shares of all such subsidiary corporations, the articles of merger shall be executed by the parent corporation and filed in duplicate in accordance with Section 1.10 of this Act and shall set forth:
(e) When the provisions of this Section have been complied with, the Secretary of State shall file the articles of merger.
(f) Subject to Section 11.35 and provided that all the conditions hereinabove set forth have been met, any domestic corporation may be merged into or may merge into itself any foreign corporation in the foregoing manner.
(Source: P.A. 92-33, eff. 7-1-01.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.31)
Sec. 11.31. Merger of mid-tier bank holding company into subsidiary bank.
(a) A mid-tier bank holding company may merge into its subsidiary in the following manner:
(b) For the purpose of this Section 11.31, "mid-tier bank holding company" means a corporation (1) that owns 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of stock of a State bank, (2) that has no other subsidiaries, and (3) of which 100% of the issued and outstanding shares are owned by a parent bank holding company.
(Source: P.A. 90-301, eff. 8-1-97.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.32)
Sec. 11.32. Merger or conversion of trust company into a State bank.
(a) A trust company may merge into a State bank in the following manner:
(b) Whenever a trust company shall effect a conversion into a State bank pursuant to Section 30 of the Illinois Banking Act, it shall forthwith file with the Secretary of State a copy of the certificate of conversion duly authenticated by the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate. The filing fee shall be the same as for filing articles of merger.
(c) For the purpose of this Section 11.32, a "trust company" means a corporation organized under this Act for the purpose of accepting and executing trusts.
(Source: P.A. 90-301, eff. 8-1-97.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.35) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.35)
Sec. 11.35. Merger, consolidation or share exchange of domestic and foreign corporations. One or more foreign corporations and one or more domestic corporations may be merged or consolidated or their shares exchanged in the following manner, provided such merger, consolidation or exchange is permitted by the laws of the state under which each such foreign corporation is organized:
(a) Each domestic corporation shall comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to the merger, consolidation or exchange, as the case may be, of domestic corporations and each foreign corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of the laws of the state under which it is organized.
(b) If the surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, is to be governed by the laws of any state other than this State, it shall comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to foreign corporations if it is to do business in this State, and in every case it shall file with the Secretary of State of this State:
(1) an agreement that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of any domestic corporation which is a party to such merger or consolidation and in any proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of a dissenting shareholder of any such domestic corporation against the surviving or new corporation,
(2) an irrevocable appointment of the Secretary of State of this State as its agent to accept service of process in any such proceeding, and
(3) an agreement that it will promptly pay to the dissenting shareholders of any such domestic corporation the amount, if any, to which they shall be entitled under the provisions of this Act with respect to the rights of dissenting shareholders.
The effect of such merger or consolidation shall be the same as in the case of the merger or consolidation of domestic corporations.
(c) If the acquiring corporation in a share exchange is governed by the laws of any state other than this State, it shall comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to foreign corporations if it is to do business in this State and, in every case, it shall file with the Secretary of State of this State:
(1) an agreement that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of a dissenting shareholder of a domestic corporation whose shares are acquired against the acquiring corporation.
(2) an irrevocable appointment of the Secretary of State of this State as its agent to accept service of process in any such proceeding, and
(3) an agreement that it will promptly pay to the dissenting shareholders of such domestic corporation the amount, if any, to which they shall be entitled under the provisions of this Act with respect to the rights of dissenting shareholders.
(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.37) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.37)
Sec. 11.37. Merger or consolidation of domestic or foreign corporations and domestic not for profit corporations.
(a) One or more domestic corporations or one or more foreign corporations may merge into a domestic not for profit corporation subject to the provisions of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, as amended, provided that in the case of a foreign corporation for profit, such merger is permitted by the laws of the State or country under which such foreign corporation for profit is organized.
(b) Each domestic corporation shall comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to the merger of domestic corporations, each domestic not for profit corporation shall comply with the provisions of the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, as amended. With respect to merger of domestic not for profit corporations, each foreign corporation for profit shall comply with the laws of the state or country under which it is organized, and each foreign corporation for profit having authority to transact business in this State under the provisions of this Act shall comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to merger of foreign corporations for profit.
(c) The plan of merger shall set forth, in addition to all matters required by Section 11.05 of this Act, the manner and basis of converting shares of each merging domestic or foreign corporation for profit into membership or other interests of the surviving domestic not for profit corporation, or into cash, or into property, or into any combination of the foregoing.
(d) The effect of a merger under this Section shall be the same as in the case of a merger of domestic corporations as set forth in subsection (a) of Section 11.50 of this Act.
(e) When such merger has been effected, the shares of the corporation or corporations to be converted under the terms of the plan cease to exist. The holders of those shares are entitled only to the membership or other interests, cash, or other property or combination thereof, into which those shares have been converted in accordance with the plan, subject to any dissenters' rights under Section 11.70 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-66, eff. 1-1-10.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.39)
Sec. 11.39. Merger of domestic corporation and limited liability entities.
(a) Any one or more domestic corporations may merge with or into one or more limited liability entities of this State, any other state or states of the United States, or the District of Columbia, if the laws of the other state or states or the District of Columbia permit the merger. The domestic corporation or corporations and the limited liability entity or entities may merge with or into a corporation, which may be any one of these corporations, or they may merge with or into a limited liability entity, which may be any one of these limited liability entities, which shall be a domestic corporation or limited liability entity of this State, any other state of the United States, or the District of Columbia, which permits the merger pursuant to a plan of merger complying with and approved in accordance with this Section.
(b) The plan of merger must set forth the following:
(c) The plan required by subsection (b) of this Section shall be adopted and approved by the constituent corporation or corporations in the same manner as is provided in Sections 11.05, 11.15, and 11.20 of this Act and, in the case of a limited liability entity, in accordance with the terms of its operating or partnership agreement, if any, and in accordance with the laws under which it was formed.
(d) Upon this approval, articles of merger shall be executed by each constituent corporation and limited liability entity and filed with the Secretary of State. The merger shall become effective for all purposes of the laws of this State when and as provided in Section 11.40 of this Act with respect to the merger of corporations of this State.
(e) If the surviving entity is to be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia or any state other than this State, it shall file with the Secretary of State of this State an agreement that it may be served with process in this State in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of any constituent corporation or limited liability entity of this State, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the surviving corporation or limited liability entity arising from the merger, including any suit or other proceeding to enforce the shareholders right to dissent as provided in Section 11.70 of this Act, and shall irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State of this State as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or other proceedings.
(f) Section 11.50 of this Act shall, insofar as it is applicable, apply to mergers between domestic corporations and limited liability entities.
(g) In any merger under this Section, the surviving entity shall not engage in any business or exercise any power that a domestic corporation or domestic limited liability entity may not otherwise engage in or exercise in this State. Furthermore, the surviving entity shall be governed by the ownership and control restrictions in Illinois law applicable to that type of entity.
(Source: P.A. 102-282, eff. 1-1-22.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.40) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.40)
Sec. 11.40. Effective date of merger, consolidation or exchange. The merger, consolidation or exchange shall become effective upon filing of the articles of merger, consolidation or exchange by the Secretary of State or on a later specified date, not more than 30 days subsequent to the filing of the articles of merger, consolidation or exchange by the Secretary of State, as may be provided for in the plan.
(Source: P.A. 92-33, eff. 7-1-01.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.45)
Sec. 11.45. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-59, eff. 7-1-03. Repealed by P.A. 96-1121, eff. 1-1-11.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.50) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.50)
Sec. 11.50. Effect of merger, consolidation or exchange. (a) When such merger or consolidation has been effected:
(1) The several corporations parties to the plan of merger or consolidation shall be a single corporation, which, in the case of a merger, is that corporation designated in the plan of merger as the surviving corporation, and, in the case of a consolidation, is the new corporation provided for in the plan of consolidation.
(2) The separate existence of all corporations parties to the plan of merger or consolidation, except the surviving or new corporation, shall cease.
(3) Such surviving or new corporation has all the rights, privileges, immunities, and powers and is subject to all the duties and liabilities of a corporation organized under this Act.
(4) Such surviving or new corporation shall thereupon and thereafter possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, as of a public or a private nature, of each of the merging or consolidating corporations; and all property, real, personal, and mixed, and all debts due on whatever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to each of the corporations so merged or consolidated, shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in such single corporation without further act or deed; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in any of such corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of such merger or consolidation.
(5) Such surviving or new corporation shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the corporations so merged or consolidated; and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against any of such corporations may be prosecuted to judgment as if such merger or consolidation had not taken place, or such surviving or new corporation may be substituted in its place. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any such corporations shall be impaired by such merger or consolidation.
(6) In case of a merger, the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation are deemed to be amended to the extent, if any, that changes in its articles are stated in the articles of merger; and, in the case of a consolidation, the articles of incorporation of the new corporation are set forth in the articles of consolidation.
(b) When such merger, consolidation or exchange has been effected, the shares of the corporation or corporations to be converted or exchanged under the terms of the plan cease to exist in the case of a merger or consolidation, or are deemed to be exchanged in the case of an exchange. The holders of those shares are entitled only to the money, securities or other property into which those shares have been converted or for which those shares have been exchanged in accordance with the plan, subject to any dissenters' rights under Section 11.70 of this Act.
(c) The merger, consolidation or exchange of shares of a corporation shall not: (i) prohibit the State from prosecuting a corporation criminally by indictment, information or complaint filed subsequent to its merger, consolidation or exchange for any offenses it committed prior thereto; or (ii) abate or suspend a criminal proceeding which is pending against a corporation on the effective date of said merger, consolidation or exchange.
(d) Where a corporation has been criminally prosecuted pursuant to subsection (c) herein, and has been convicted and fined for a criminal offense, the surviving or new corporation shall be responsible for the payment of the fine only to the extent of any assets contributed to the merger, consolidation or exchange of shares by the convicted corporation, provided that the surviving or new corporation, at the time of acquisition, did not know, or have reason to know, of the criminal acts which were the basis for the criminal action. In the event the surviving or new corporation did know, or have reason to know, of the criminal acts which were the basis for the criminal action, it shall be responsible for the entire amount of the fine. Nothing herein shall prohibit the State from collecting a fine which was assessed against a corporation from a shareholder to the extent that the corporation may have distributed assets to the shareholder.
(Source: P.A. 85-1440.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.55) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.55)
Sec. 11.55. Sale, lease, exchange, or mortgage of assets in usual and regular course of business. The sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets of a corporation, when made in the usual and regular course of the business of the corporation, may be made upon such terms and conditions and for such considerations, which may consist, in whole or in part, of money or property, real or personal, including shares of any other corporation, domestic or foreign, as shall be authorized by its board of directors; and in such case no authorization or consent of the shareholders shall be required.
(Source: P.A. 83-1025.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.60) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.60)
Sec. 11.60. Sale, lease or exchange of assets, other than in usual and regular course of business. A sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets, with or without the good will, of a corporation, if not made in the usual and regular course of its business, may be made upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may consist, in whole or in part, of money or property, real or personal, including shares of any other corporation, domestic or foreign, as may be authorized in the following manner:
(a) The board of directors shall adopt a resolution recommending such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition and directing the submission thereof to a vote at a meeting of shareholders, which may be either an annual or a special meeting.
(b) Written notice stating that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of such meeting is to consider the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets of the corporation shall be given to each shareholder of record within the time and in the manner provided by this Act for the giving of notice of meetings of shareholders and shall also inform the shareholders of their right to dissent and either enclose a copy of Section 11.70 or otherwise provide adequate notice of the procedure to dissent. If such meeting be an annual meeting, such purpose may be included in the notice of such annual meeting.
(c) At such meeting the shareholders entitled to vote on such matter may authorize such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition and fix, or may authorize the board of directors to fix, any or all of the terms and conditions thereof and the consideration to be received by the corporation therefor. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such matter unless any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a class in respect thereof, in which event such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class on such matter, and of the total outstanding shares entitled to vote on such matter.
(d) After such authorization by a vote of shareholders, the board of directors nevertheless, in its discretion, may abandon such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of assets, subject to the rights of third parties under any contracts relating thereto, without further action or approval by shareholders.
(e) The articles of incorporation of a corporation may supersede the two-thirds vote requirement of this Section by specifying any smaller or larger vote requirement, not less than a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the matter and not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class on the matter.
(Source: P.A. 83-1025.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.65) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.65)
Sec. 11.65. Right to dissent. (a) A shareholder of a corporation is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment for his or her shares in the event of any of the following corporate actions:
(1) consummation of a plan of merger or consolidation or a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party if (i) shareholder authorization is required for the merger or consolidation or the share exchange by Section 11.20 or the articles of incorporation or (ii) the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent or another subsidiary under Section 11.30;
(2) consummation of a sale, lease or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property and assets of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course of business;
(3) an amendment of the articles of incorporation that materially and adversely affects rights in respect of a dissenter's shares because it:
(i) alters or abolishes a preferential right of such shares;
(ii) alters or abolishes a right in respect of redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the redemption or repurchase, of such shares;
(iii) in the case of a corporation incorporated prior to January 1, 1982, limits or eliminates cumulative voting rights with respect to such shares; or
(4) any other corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote if the articles of incorporation, by-laws, or a resolution of the board of directors provide that shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 11.70 or as may be otherwise provided in the articles, by-laws or resolution.
(b) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his or her shares under this Section may not challenge the corporate action creating his or her entitlement unless the action is fraudulent with respect to the shareholder or the corporation or constitutes a breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the shareholder.
(c) A record owner of shares may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all the shares recorded in such person's name only if such person dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the corporation in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf the record owner asserts dissenters' rights. The rights of a partial dissenter are determined as if the shares as to which dissent is made and the other shares were recorded in the names of different shareholders. A beneficial owner of shares who is not the record owner may assert dissenters' rights as to shares held on such person's behalf only if the beneficial owner submits to the corporation the record owner's written consent to the dissent before or at the same time the beneficial owner asserts dissenters' rights.
(Source: P.A. 85-1269.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.70) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.70)
Sec. 11.70. Procedure to Dissent.
(a) If the corporate action giving rise to the right to dissent is to be approved at a meeting of shareholders, the notice of meeting shall inform the shareholders of their right to dissent and the procedure to dissent. If, prior to the meeting, the corporation furnishes to the shareholders material information with respect to the transaction that will objectively enable a shareholder to vote on the transaction and to determine whether or not to exercise dissenters' rights, a shareholder may assert dissenters' rights only if the shareholder delivers to the corporation before the vote is taken a written demand for payment for his or her shares if the proposed action is consummated, and the shareholder does not vote in favor of the proposed action.
(b) If the corporate action giving rise to the right to dissent is not to be approved at a meeting of shareholders, the notice to shareholders describing the action taken under Section 11.30 or Section 7.10 shall inform the shareholders of their right to dissent and the procedure to dissent. If, prior to or concurrently with the notice, the corporation furnishes to the shareholders material information with respect to the transaction that will objectively enable a shareholder to determine whether or not to exercise dissenters' rights, a shareholder may assert dissenter's rights only if he or she delivers to the corporation within 30 days from the date of mailing the notice a written demand for payment for his or her shares.
(c) Within 10 days after the date on which the corporate action giving rise to the right to dissent is effective or 30 days after the shareholder delivers to the corporation the written demand for payment, whichever is later, the corporation shall send each shareholder who has delivered a written demand for payment a statement setting forth the opinion of the corporation as to the estimated fair value of the shares, the corporation's latest balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not earlier than 16 months before the delivery of the statement, together with the statement of income for that year and the latest available interim financial statements, and either a commitment to pay for the shares of the dissenting shareholder at the estimated fair value thereof upon transmittal to the corporation of the certificate or certificates, or other evidence of ownership, with respect to the shares, or instructions to the dissenting shareholder to sell his or her shares within 10 days after delivery of the corporation's statement to the shareholder. The corporation may instruct the shareholder to sell only if there is a public market for the shares at which the shares may be readily sold. If the shareholder does not sell within that 10 day period after being so instructed by the corporation, for purposes of this Section the shareholder shall be deemed to have sold his or her shares at the average closing price of the shares, if listed on a national exchange, or the average of the bid and asked price with respect to the shares quoted by a principal market maker, if not listed on a national exchange, during that 10 day period.
(d) A shareholder who makes written demand for payment under this Section retains all other rights of a shareholder until those rights are cancelled or modified by the consummation of the proposed corporate action. Upon consummation of that action, the corporation shall pay to each dissenter who transmits to the corporation the certificate or other evidence of ownership of the shares the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, accompanied by a written explanation of how the interest was calculated.
(e) If the shareholder does not agree with the opinion of the corporation as to the estimated fair value of the shares or the amount of interest due, the shareholder, within 30 days from the delivery of the corporation's statement of value, shall notify the corporation in writing of the shareholder's estimated fair value and amount of interest due and demand payment for the difference between the shareholder's estimate of fair value and interest due and the amount of the payment by the corporation or the proceeds of sale by the shareholder, whichever is applicable because of the procedure for which the corporation opted pursuant to subsection (c).
(f) If, within 60 days from delivery to the corporation of the shareholder notification of estimate of fair value of the shares and interest due, the corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not agreed in writing upon the fair value of the shares and interest due, the corporation shall either pay the difference in value demanded by the shareholder, with interest, or file a petition in the circuit court of the county in which either the registered office or the principal office of the corporation is located, requesting the court to determine the fair value of the shares and interest due. The corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of this State, whose demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding as an action against their shares and all parties shall be served with a copy of the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by law. Failure of the corporation to commence an action pursuant to this Section shall not limit or affect the right of the dissenting shareholders to otherwise commence an action as permitted by law.
(g) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection (f) by a corporation is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the power described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it.
(h) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his or her shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation or the proceeds of sale by the shareholder, whichever amount is applicable.
(i) The court, in a proceeding commenced under subsection (f), shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the appraisers, if any, appointed by the court under subsection (g), but shall exclude the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties. If the fair value of the shares as determined by the court materially exceeds the amount which the corporation estimated to be the fair value of the shares or if no estimate was made in accordance with subsection (c), then all or any part of the costs may be assessed against the corporation. If the amount which any dissenter estimated to be the fair value of the shares materially exceeds the fair value of the shares as determined by the court, then all or any part of the costs may be assessed against that dissenter. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable, as follows:
If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to that counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to the dissenters who are benefited. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the practice, procedure, judgment and costs shall be governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.
(j) As used in this Section:
(Source: P.A. 94-889, eff. 1-1-07.)
(805 ILCS 5/11.75) (from Ch. 32, par. 11.75)
Sec. 11.75. Business combinations with interested shareholders.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, a corporation (as defined in this Section 11.75) shall not engage in any business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of 3 years following the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, unless (1) prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, or (2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting shares of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or (3) at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting shares which are not owned by the interested shareholder.
(b) The restrictions contained in this Section shall not apply if:
(c) As used in this Section 11.75 only, the term:
(d) No provision of a certificate of incorporation or by-law shall require, for any vote of shareholders required by this Section a greater vote of shareholders than that specified in this Section.
(e) The provisions of this Section 11.75 are severable and any provision held invalid shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 93-59, eff. 7-1-03.)