exv3w2
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION)
AS AMENDED
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Wintrust Financial Corporation (the “corporation”) shall continuously maintain in the State of
Illinois a registered office and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered
office, and may have other offices within or without the state.
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION 2.1 ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the fourth
Thursday in May of each year, or such other date as designated by the board of directors, for the
purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the
meeting. If the directors shall not be elected at the annual meeting, or at any adjournment
thereof, the board of directors shall cause the election to be held as soon thereafter as
practicable.
SECTION 2.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board
of directors, the president or by the holders of not less than one-fifth of all the outstanding
shares entitled to vote on the matter for which the meeting is called, for the purpose or purposes
stated in the call of the meeting.
SECTION 2.3 PLACE OF MEETING. The board of directors may designate any place as the place of
meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors. If no
designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at
the office of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Illinois.
SECTION 2.4 NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice stating the place, date, and hour of the
meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called shall be delivered not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the
meeting, or in the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or
exchange or assets, not less than twenty nor more than sixty days before the meeting, either
personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the president, or the secretary, or the officer or
persons calling the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited
in the United States mail, addressed to the shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of
the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or
place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
SECTION 2.5 NOTIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSED BUSINESS.
(a) At an annual or special meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as
shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To properly bring business before an annual or
special meeting of shareholders, timely written notice of such shareholder’s intent to make such
proposal or proposals, including the nomination for election of a director, must be received by the
corporation in accordance with the deadlines specified in Section 2.5(b) and (c) below. A
shareholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each item of business the shareholder
proposes to bring before such meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting the business at the meeting; (ii) the
name and record address of the shareholder who proposes such business; (iii) the class and number
of shares of stock of the corporation beneficially owned by such shareholder; (iv) whether and the
extent to which any derivative instrument, hedging or other transaction or series of transactions
has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding
(including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares) has been made the effect or
intent of any of which is to increase or decrease economic interest in the corporation’s stock or
manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power
of, such shareholder with respect to the corporation’s stock (which information shall be updated by
such shareholder as of the record date for the meeting, such update to be provided not later than
10 days after the record date for the meeting); (v) a representation that the shareholder intends
to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the item of business proposed to be
brought before the meeting; (vi) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the
proposal or proposals are to be made by the shareholder and any material interest of the
shareholder in the business being proposed; (vii) in the case of a nomination for election of
director, (A) the nominee’s name, age, principal occupation and employment, business and residence
addresses and qualifications, (B) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
shareholder and each nominee of the shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person
or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the shareholder and (C) the consent
of each nominee to be named in any proxy statement and to serve as a director of the corporation if
so elected; and (viii) all other information which would be required to be included in a proxy
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission if, with respect to any such item of
business or nomination, such shareholder were a participant in a solicitation subject to Section 14
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
(b) To be timely, written notice of a shareholder’s intent to make a proposal or proposals
other than a nomination for election to the board of directors (which notice must satisfy the
requirements of Section 2.5(a)) must be given either by personal delivery or by United States mail
postage prepaid and received by the secretary of the corporation (i) with respect to an annual
meeting of shareholders not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date
of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event
that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such
anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered or received not later
than the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the date on which such notice
or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was given or made, or (ii) with respect to a
special meeting of shareholders, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following
the day on which the first public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was
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made. In no event shall the public disclosure of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new
time period for the giving of shareholder’s notice as described above. The foregoing notice
requirements of this Section 2.5(b) shall be deemed satisfied by a shareholder if the shareholder
has notified the corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in
compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) under the Exchange Act, and such
shareholder’s proposal has been included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of
the board of directors.
(c) To be timely, written notice of a shareholder’s intent to present a nominee for election
to the board of directors (which notice must satisfy the requirements of Section 2.5(a)) must be
given either by personal delivery or by United States mail postage prepaid and received by the
secretary of the corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of
shareholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the
annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary
date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered or received not later than the
close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the date on which such notice or public
disclosure of the date of the meeting was given or made, or (ii) with respect to an election to be
held at a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later
than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the first public disclosure
of the date of the special meeting was made. In no event shall the public disclosure of an
adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of shareholder’s notice
as described above.
(d) The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the proposal of any shareholder not
made in compliance with this Section 2.5. Notwithstanding anything in the by-laws to the contrary,
no business shall be brought before or conducted at an annual or special meeting by a shareholder
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.5; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 2.5 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of any
business properly brought before a shareholder meeting.
SECTION 2.6 POSTPONEMENT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. Prior to any annual or special meeting
of shareholders being called to order, the board of directors may postpone such previously
scheduled annual or special meeting of shareholders at any time whether or not a quorum is present
without further notice. The board of directors may adjourn any previously scheduled annual or
special meeting of shareholders at any time whether or not a quorum is present without further
notice.
SECTION 2.7 FIXING OF RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to receive
payment of any dividend, or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or to exercise any
rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of shares or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the board of directors of the corporation may fix in advance a record date which
shall not be more than sixty days, and for a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten days, or in
the case of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution or sale, lease or exchange of
assets, not less than twenty days, before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed, the
record date for the determination of shareholders shall be the date on which the notice of the
meeting is mailed, and the record date for the determination of shareholders for any other purpose
shall be the date on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating
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thereto. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting.
SECTION 2.8 VOTING LISTS. The officer or agent having charge of the transfer books for shares
of the corporation shall make, within twenty days after the record date for a meeting of
shareholders or ten days before such meeting, whichever is earlier, a complete list of the
shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address
of and the number of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, which list, for a period of
ten days prior to such meeting, shall be kept on file at the registered office of the corporation
and shall be open to inspection by any shareholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, at any
time during usual business hours. Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and
place of the meeting and may be inspected by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting.
The original share ledger or transfer books, or a duplicate thereof kept in this State, shall be
prima facie evidence as to who are the shareholders entitled to examine such list or share ledger
or transfer book or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.
SECTION 2.9 QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the votes of shares of the corporation
entitled to vote on a matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of shareholders; provided that if less than a majority of the outstanding shares are
represented at said meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting at any
time without further notice. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the
votes of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote shall be the act of the
shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by The Business
Corporation Act of the State of Illinois (the “BCA”), the articles of incorporation or these
by-laws. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Withdrawal of shareholders
from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that meeting.
SECTION 2.10 PROXIES. Each shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders or
dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to
act for such shareholder by proxy executed in writing by such shareholder or his or her duly
authorized attorney-in-fact, but no such proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of
its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
SECTION 2.11 VOTING OF SHARES. Each outstanding common share shall be entitled to one vote
upon each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of shareholders. Any preferred stock shall have
such rights, voting or otherwise, as shall be determined by the board of directors and as set forth
in a certificate of designation filed with the Illinois Secretary of State.
SECTION 2.12 VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Shares standing in the name of another
corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by any officer, agent, proxy or other legal
representative authorized to vote such shares under the law of incorporation of such corporation.
Shares standing in the name of a deceased person, a minor ward or a person under legal
disability, may be voted by the administrator, executor or court appointed guardian of such person
or such person’s estate, either in person or by proxy without a transfer of such shares into the
name of such administrator, executor or court appointed guardian. Shares standing in the name of a
trustee may be voted by the trustee, either in person or by proxy.
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Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or
under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into the
receiver’s name if authority so to do be contained in the appropriate order of the court by which
such receiver was appointed.
A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares
have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to
vote the shares so transferred.
One or more shareholders may create a voting trust for the purpose of conferring upon a
trustee or trustees the right to vote or otherwise represent their shares, for a stated duration,
which may be perpetual or for a fixed period or may be determined by the occurrence of a stated
condition or conditions, by entering into a written voting trust agreement specifying the terms and
conditions of the voting trust, and by transferring the subject shares to such trustee or trustees
pursuant to the agreement. If the agreement or any amendment thereto does not contain a stated
duration, the trust shall terminate ten years after the agreement first became effective, No voting
trust agreement shall be effective until a counterpart of the agreement is deposited with the
corporation at its registered office. The counterpart of the voting trust agreement so deposited
with the corporation shall be subject to the same right of examination by a shareholder of the
corporation, in person or by agent or attorney, as are the books and records of the corporation,
and shall be subject to examination by any holder of a beneficial interest in the voting trust,
either in person or by agent or attorney, at any reasonable time for any proper purpose.
Shares of its own stock belonging to the corporation shall not be voted, directly or
indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding
shares at any given time, but shares of its own stock held by the corporation in a fiduciary
capacity may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at
any given time.
SECTION 2.13 ELIMINATION OF CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of all shares of stock
having a right to vote in the corporation shall not be entitled to cumulative voting rights in the
election of directors of the corporation, or for any other reason or purpose whatsoever.
SECTION 2.14 INSPECTORS. At any meeting of shareholders, the presiding officer may, or upon
the request of any shareholder shall, appoint one or more persons as inspectors for such meeting.
Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares represented at the meeting,
based upon their determination of the validity and effect of proxies; count all votes and report
the results; and do such other acts as are proper to conduct the election and voting with
impartiality and fairness to all the shareholders.
Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority
of them if there be more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one
inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the
inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the
voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
SECTION 2.15 ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting
of the shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and may not be
effected by any consent in writing by such holders.
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SECTION 2.16 VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be by voice
unless the presiding officer shall order or any shareholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
SECTION 3.1 GENERAL POWERS. The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of
directors.
SECTION 3.2 NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The number of directors of the corporation
shall be thirteen (13). The number of directors may be increased or decreased (provided, however,
that such number shall never be less than nine (9)) from time to time by the amendment of this
Section 3.2 by the shareholders or by a resolution adopted by the majority of members of the board
of directors as provided in this Section 3.2; but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening
the term of any incumbent director. Each director will hold office until the next annual meeting of
shareholders or until a successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Directors need not be residents of Illinois or shareholders of the corporation.
Advance notice of shareholder nominations for the election of directors shall be given in the
manner provided in Section 2.5 of these by-laws.
SECTION 3.3 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL. Any director may resign at any time by giving written
notice to the board of directors, the president or the secretary of the corporation. A resignation
is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a future date. A resignation
need not be accepted in order to be effective. Any director may be removed from office in
accordance with the BCA.
SECTION 3.4 REGULAR MEETINGS. A regular meeting of the board of directors shall be held
without other notice than this by-law, either immediately before or after the annual meeting of
shareholders, or at such time as may be determined by the board of directors. The board of
directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of additional regular
meetings without other notice than such resolution.
SECTION 3.5 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or
at the request of the chairman of the board of directors, president or a majority of the then
acting directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the board of
directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the board of directors
called by them.
SECTION 3.6 NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least two (2) days
previous thereto by written notice to each director at his or her business address. If mailed,
notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with
postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be
delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegram company. The attendance of a director at
any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of,
any regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver
of notice of such meeting.
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SECTION 3.7 QUORUM. A majority of the number of directors then in office, but in no event less
than a majority of the minimum number of directors fixed by these by-laws, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors; provided that if
less than a majority of such number of directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the
directors present may adjourn the meeting at any time without further notice.
SECTION 3.8 MANNER OF ACTING. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, unless the act of a greater
number is required by statute, these by-laws, or the articles of incorporation.
SECTION 3.9 VACANCIES. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors and any directorship to
be filled by reason of an increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled at an annual
or special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose or, if such vacancy arises between
meetings of shareholders, such vacancy may only be filled by a majority vote of the directors then
in office, though less than a quorum. A director elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy
shall hold office for the balance of the term for which he or she was elected. A director appointed
to fill a vacancy shall serve until the next meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be
elected.
SECTION 3.10 ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the
board of directors, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the board of directors,
or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, shall be signed by all the directors entitled to vote with respect to the
subject matter thereof, or by all the members of such committee, as the case may be. Any such
consent signed by all the directors or all the members of the committee shall have the same effect
as a unanimous vote, and may be stated as such in any document filed with the Secretary of State or
with anyone else.
SECTION 3.11 COMPENSATION. The board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of
directors then in office, and irrespective of any personal interest of any of its members, shall
have authority to establish reasonable compensation of all directors for services to the
corporation as directors, officers, or otherwise. By resolution of the board of directors the
directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of
directors and of committees thereof. No such payment previously mentioned in this section shall
preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor.
SECTION 3.12 COMMITTEES. The board of directors, by resolution, may create one or more
committees and appoint members of the board of directors to serve on the committee or committees.
Each committee shall have two or more members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board of
directors. Unless the appointment by the board of directors requires a greater number, a majority
of any committee shall constitute a quorum and a majority of a quorum is necessary for committee
action. A committee may act by unanimous consent in writing without a meeting and, subject to the
provisions of these by-laws or action by the board of directors, the committee by majority vote of
its members shall determine the time and place of meetings and the notice required therefor. To the
extent specified by the board of directors, each committee may exercise all the authority of the
board of directors in the management of the corporation as permitted by the BCA. Each committee
shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the board of directors.
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SECTION 3.13 TELEPHONE CONFERENCE MEETINGS. Members of the board of directors may participate
in and act at any meeting of the board through the use of a conference telephone or other
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other. Participation in a meeting by means of such equipment shall constitute attendance and
presence in person at such meeting.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 4.1 NUMBER. The officers of the corporation shall be the president, one or more
executive vice-presidents, senior vice-presidents and vice-presidents (the number thereof to be
determined by the board of directors), a treasurer, a secretary, and such assistant treasurers,
assistant secretaries or other officers as may be elected by the board of directors. Any two or
more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary;
provided, however, that in cases where all of the shares of the corporation are owned of record by
one shareholder and these by-laws provide that the number of directors shall be one, the offices of
president and secretary may be held by the same person.
SECTION 4.2 ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE. The officers of the corporation shall be elected
annually by the board of directors at the first meeting of the board of directors held after each
annual meeting of shareholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such
election shall be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. Vacancies may be filled or new
offices created and filled at any meeting of the board of directors. Each officer shall hold office
until a successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until the death,
resignation, or removal (in the manner hereinafter provided) of such officer. Election of an
officer shall not of itself create contract rights.
SECTION 4.3 REMOVAL. Any officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed
by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be
served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the
person so removed.
SECTION 4.4 [RESERVED]
SECTION 4.5 PRESIDENT. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation.
Subject to the control of the board of directors, he shall in general supervise the business and
affairs of the corporation and he shall see that resolutions and directions of the board of
directors are carried into effect except when that responsibility is specifically assigned to some
other person by the board of directors. Unless there is a chairman of the board elected by the
board from among its members who is present and who has the duty to preside, the president shall
preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, if a director, at all meetings of the board of
directors. Except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to
another officer or agent of the corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the board of directors or these by-laws or where otherwise required by law, the
president may execute for the corporation any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed or the execution of which is
in the ordinary course of the corporation’s business, and he may accomplish such execution either
under or without the seal of the corporation and either alone or with the secretary, any assistant
secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the board of directors or these
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by-laws. In general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other
duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the board of directors.
SECTION 4.6 THE VICE-PRESIDENTS. The executive vice-president, senior vice-president, or
vice-president (or in the event there be more than one executive vice-president, senior
vice-president or vice-president, each of the executive vice-presidents, senior vice-presidents or
vice-presidents (collectively the “vice-presidents”)) shall assist the president in the discharge
of the president’s duties as the president may direct and shall perform such other duties as from
time to time may be assigned by the president or by the board of directors. In the president’s
absence, inability or refusal to act, the executive vice-president, senior vice-president or
vice-president (or in the event there be more than one executive vice-president, senior
vice-president or vice-president, each of the executive vice-presidents, senior vice-presidents or
vice-presidents in the order designated by the board of directors, or by the president if the board
of directors has not made such a designation, or in the absence of any designation, then in the
order of seniority of tenure of the executive vice-president, the senior vice-president or
vice-president) shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the president. Except in those instances in
which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the
corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the board of directors or
these by-laws, the vice-presidents (or each of them if there is more than one) may execute for the
corporation certificates for its shares and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other
instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed, and may further accomplish
such execution either under or without the seal of the corporation and either individually or with
the secretary, any assistant secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the board of
directors according to the requirements of the form of the instrument.
SECTION 4.7 THE TREASURER. The treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds and
securities of the corporation, and be responsible therefor and for the receipt and disbursement
thereof; and perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the president or by the board of directors. If required by the
board of directors, the treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of all duties in
such sum and with such surety or sureties as the board of directors may determine.
SECTION 4.8 THE SECRETARY. The secretary shall: (a) record the minutes of the shareholders’
and of the board of directors’ meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see
that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws or as required
by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation; (d) keep a
register of the post-office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the secretary
by such shareholder; (e) sign with the president, or a vice-president, or any other officer
thereunto authorized by the board of directors, certificates for shares of the corporation, the
issue of which shall have been authorized by the board of directors, and any contracts, deeds,
mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed,
according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a different mode of
execution is expressly prescribed by the board of directors or these by-laws; (f) have general
charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and (g) perform all duties incident to the
office of secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the president or
by the board of directors.
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SECTION 4.9 ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. The assistant treasurers and
assistant secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the treasurer or
the secretary, respectively, or by the president or the board of directors. The assistant
secretaries may sign with the president, or a vice-president, or any other officer thereunto
authorized by the board of directors, certificates or shares of the corporation, the issue of which
shall have been authorized by the board of directors, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds,
or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized to be executed, according to the
requirements of the form of the instrument except when a different mode of execution is expressly
prescribed by the board of directors or these by-laws. The assistant treasurers shall, if required
by the board of directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and
with such sureties as the board of directors shall determine.
SECTION 4.10 SALARIES. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the
board of directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the
fact that such officer is also a director of the corporation.
ARTICLE V
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS DEPOSITS
SECTION 5.1 CONTRACTS. The board of directors may authorize any officer, officers, agent or
agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on
behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 5.2 LOANS. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidences
of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the board of
directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 5.3 CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by
such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time
to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors.
SECTION 5.4 DEPOSITS. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited
from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other
depositories as the board of directors may select.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS,
DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
SECTION 6.1 GENERALLY. The corporation shall have power to indemnify any persons who were or
are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that they are or were directors,
officers, employees or agents of the corporation, or are or were serving at the request of the
corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in
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connection with such action, suit or proceeding if they acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
unlawful. The corporation shall have the power to indemnify any persons who were or are parties or
are threatened to be made parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that they are or were directors, officers,
employees or agents of any subsidiary corporation or corporations (individually the “subsidiary”
and collectively the “subsidiaries”) against expenses, (including attorneys’ fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and/or the respective
subsidiary or subsidiaries, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the persons did not act in good faith
and in a manner which they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, a subsidiary or the subsidiaries, as the case may be, and with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful.
SECTION 6.2 DERIVATIVE ACTIONS. The corporation shall have power to indemnify any persons who
were or are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any threatened, pending or completed
action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason
of the fact that they are or were directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, or
are or were serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such persons
shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duty
to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such persons are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the court shall deem proper. The corporation shall have the power to indemnify
any person or persons who were or are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the or right of any of the subsidiaries to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such persons are or were directors,
officers, employees or agents of any one or more of the subsidiaries, or are or were serving at the
request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of such subsidiary or
subsidiaries, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), actually and reasonably incurred by
them in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if they acted in good
faith and in a matter they reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
subsidiary or subsidiaries, as the case may be, except that no indemnification shall be made with
respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such persons shall have been adjudged to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duty to the subsidiary or
subsidiaries, as the case may be, unless and only to the extent that the court in
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which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such persons are
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
SECTION 6.3 MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent that a present or former director,
officer or employee of the corporation, or any subsidiary or subsidiaries, as the case may be, has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection therewith, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.
SECTION 6.4 FIDUCIARY DUTY. A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to
the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 8.65 of the BCA, as the
same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived
an improper personal benefit.
SECTION 6.5 AUTHORIZATION. Any indemnification under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 (unless ordered by a
court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is
proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth
in Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Such determination shall be made (a) by the board of directors by a
majority vote of directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less
than a quorum, (b) by a committee of directors designated by a majority vote of the directors, even
though less than a quorum, (c) if there are no such directors, or if the directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the shareholders.
SECTION 6.6 EXPENSES. Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, as authorized by the board of directors in the
specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer, to repay
such amount, if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to
be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in these by-laws.
SECTION 6.7 NONEXCLUSIVE. The indemnification provided by this article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The
corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as
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such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such
liability under the provisions of this article.
ARTICLE VII
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES
AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION 7.1 CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. Shares of the corporation’s stock may be certificated or
uncertificated. Any certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be signed by the
chairman of the board of directors, if any, or the president or a vice president and by the
treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the secretary or an assistant secretary and may be sealed
with the seal, or a facsimile of seal, of the corporation. If any certificate is countersigned by a
transfer agent or a registrar, other than the corporation itself or its employee, any other
signatures or countersignature on the certificate may be facsimile.
If the corporation is authorized and does issue shares of more than one class, every
certificate representing shares issued by the corporation shall set forth on the face or back of
the certificate a full summary or statement of all of the designations, preferences,
qualifications, limitations, restrictions, and special or relative rights of the shares of each
class authorized to be issued. If the corporation is authorized to issue any preferred or special
class in series, such shares may be certificated or uncertificated. Any certificate representing
such shares issued by the corporation shall set forth on the face or back of the certificate a full
summary or statement of all of the variations in the relative rights and preferences between the
shares of each such series so far as the same have been fixed and determined and the authority of
the board of directors to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of subsequent
series. Such statement may be omitted from any certificate if it shall be set forth upon the face
or back of the certificate that such statement, in full, will be furnished by the corporation to
any shareholder upon request and without charge.
Any certificate representing shares shall also state that the corporation is organized under
the laws of the State of Illinois; the name of the person to whom issued; the number and class of
shares and the designation of the series, if any, which such certificate represents; the par value
of each share represented by such certificate, or a statement that such shares are without par
value. Any certificate representing shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.
The name and address of each shareholder, the number and class of shares held and the date on
which any certificates for shares were issued shall be entered on the books of the corporation. The
person in whose name shares stand on the books of the corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof
for all purposes as regards the corporation. No certificate shall be issued for any share until
such share is fully paid.
SECTION 7.2 LOST CERTIFICATES. If a certificate representing shares of the corporation is
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the board of directors may in its discretion,
except as may be required by law, direct that a new certificate be issued. In connection with the
issuance of any such new certificate, the board of directors may require the owner of the lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate or his or her legal representative to provide such indemnification,
and may impose such other reasonable requirements, as the shall deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 7.3 TRANSFERS OF SHARES. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of
the corporation of a certificate representing shares duly endorsed or accompanied by
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proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, a new certificate shall be
issued to the person entitled thereto, and the old certificate shall be cancelled and the
transaction recorded upon the books of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each
year.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
The board of directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends
on its outstanding and treasury shares in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as
provided by law and the articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE X
SEAL
The corporate seal, if any, shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the
words “Corporate Seal, Illinois.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.
ARTICLE XI
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given under these by-laws or under the provisions of the
articles of incorporation or under the provisions of the BCA, a waiver thereof in writing, signed
by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein,
shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
The power to make, alter, amend, or repeal the by-laws of the corporation shall be vested in
the shareholders or the board of directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of
directors. The by-laws may contain any provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs
of the corporation not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.
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