In all cases where any lands or lots have been or may be sold by this State or any of the officers thereof, under the authority of any law of this State, whereof the patent is issued by the Governor, under the seal of this State, and in case the patent has been or shall purport to be recorded in the recorder's office of the county where the lands or lots are situated, and the patent is lost, or out of the power of the party desiring to use it to produce in evidence, a copy of the record of such patent, certified by the recorder of the county, may be read in evidence in place of the original patent, which copy certified as above stated, shall be prima facie evidence of the issuing of such patent, and of the contents thereof. The provisions of this section shall apply to deeds executed by the trustees of the Illinois and Michigan canal, and to patents for land issued or granted by the United States.
735 ILCS 5/8-1210