In 1848, it was eliminated, being merged into the position of clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (which was renamed "clerk and recorder").
[1] For decades thereafter, the clerk of the Circuit Court served as the ex-officio county recorder of deeds.
[2] An independent position of Cook County recorder of deeds was re-created in December 1872.
[2] On November 8, 2016, Cook County voters approved a binding referendum to eliminate the office, merging its functions into the purview of the Cook County Clerk.
[3] The office formally ceased to exist on December 7, 2020.