Section 215 ILCS 5/163 - Date merger or consolidation or plan of exchange effected(1) If the surviving or new company is a domestic company, the merger or consolidation is effected upon the issuance of the certificate of merger or the certificate of consolidation, as the case may be.(2) If the surviving or new company is a foreign or alien company and the Director has issued a certificate of approval of the merger or consolidation, the date upon which the merger or consolidation is effected shall be determined by the laws of the state or country of incorporation or organization of the surviving or new company. However, the merger or consolidation shall in no event become effective in this State until a certificate of merger or consolidation, as the case may be, or other evidence that the merger or consolidation is effected is issued by the proper official of the state or country of incorporation or organization of the surviving or new company and is filed with and approved by the Director.(3) Notice of adoption of the plan and the approval thereof by the Director shall be delivered or mailed to each shareholder of record of the domestic insurance company to be acquired who was entitled to vote thereon and an affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary of such company or of an officer of the company's transfer agent that such notice was given shall be filed with the Director. The plan shall become effective 10 days after receipt of the affidavit by the Director. A plan of exchange may be abandoned pursuant to any provisions for abandonment contained therein at any time, provided that notice of such abandonment shall be delivered or mailed to each such stockholder and filed with the Director prior to the termination of such 10 day period.