§ 15 — Evidentiary matters

A. In any action, administrative, civil or criminal, where a defense is based upon any exemption provided for in this Act, the burden of proving such exemption shall be upon the party raising such defense. B. In any action, administrative, civil or criminal, a certificate under the seal of the State of Illinois, signed by the Secretary of State, attesting to the filing of or the absence of any filing of any document or record with the Secretary of State under this Act, shall constitute prima facie evidence of such filing or of the absence of such filing, and shall be admissible in evidence in any such administrative, criminal or civil action. C. In any action, administrative, civil or criminal, the Secretary of State may issue a certificate under the seal of the State of Illinois, signed by the Secretary of State, showing that any document or record is a true and exact copy, photostatic or otherwise, of the record or document on file with the Secretary of State under this Act; and such certified document or record shall be admissible in evidence with the same effect as the original document or record would have if actually produced. D. Any certificate pursuant to subsection B or C of this Section 15 shall be furnished by the Secretary of State upon application therefor in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule or regulation, and shall be accompanied by payment of a certification fee in the amount specified in Section 11a of this Act, which shall not be returnable in any event.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 84-869.)