A Public University
The University of Illinois, as a public university, is under the authority of the state legislature, the Illinois General Assembly. The university has three campuses: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , (where the university was established in 1867), the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Springfield, formerly Sangamon State University.
The board of trustees is the governing body of the University and exercises jurisdiction in all matters except those for which it has delegated authority to the president, other officers, or bodies of the university. The board comprises nine members appointed for six-year terms by the governor, three student members, each elected by their student bodies, one of whom is granted a vote by the governor, and the governor as an ex officio member. The board meets according to a schedule set in the spring of each year. Its proceedings are open to the public.