The creation of ILGIC has a long and somewhat arduous history. In January of 1993 the Illinois House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 1 Sponsored by Ryder, Steczo, Tenhouse, and Mautino, and Madigan of the Senate. This Resolution created the Illinois Geographic Information Management Technology (GIMT) Task Force. The Task Force was formed to study the critical issues facing GIMT in Illinois. The Task Force consisted of eight legislators, directors of the departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Community Affairs, Conservation, Energy and Natural Resources, Revenue, Transportation, and the Commerce Commission and the Secretary of State.

One year later, in January of 1994, a GIMT Forum was held at the capitol. The Forum was structured as a typical hearing. But unlike a typical hearing, over 150 people from across the State (geographic information users and producers) packed the hearing room to offer testimony and present their needs and concerns to the task Force. The issues ranged from coordination of effort, to standards, to database development, to funding, to local concerns. It became clear that geographic information and the technologies associated with it were moving at a rapid pace, and a very large body of people were involved with related activities.

Testimony and presentations culminated in the GIMT Task Force Report, citing 22 recommendations. The first recommendation was to create a Geographic Information Council to promote coordination.

Former Representative Tom Ryder, a member of the GIMT Task Force and champion of the cause supported the concept of a legislated Council in order to protect the entity from the vagaries of government and politics. In early July of 1994 the legislative process began. Amendment 8 of Senate Bill 1369 was added to create the Illinois Geographic Information Council. The entire Senate Bill was rejected along with all the other 'Christmas tree" amendments.

Finally on July 14, 1995, Governor Jim Edgar signed into law Senate Bill 231 creating the Illinois Geographic Information Council (Public Act 89-143).

The ILGIC is hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It is comprised of 17 standing representatives including bipartisan members of the General Assembly, state and federal agencies, universities, local, regional, academic and professional organizations, utilities and the private sector. Up to ten of the 27 members are appointed by the Governor.

ILGIC is now operating under a new functional model until which time it is incorporated into an overarching bureau or Office of Technology