An Illinois Bond Deposit Order (BDO) is a required document for entities and individuals who wish to do business in the state of Illinois. It is a certificate of deposit of financial security in the form of bonds or cash that must be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State before a business can be established. Bods are used to guarantee performance of contractual obligations and provide legal protection to the state and its citizens. There are two types of Illinois Bond Deposit Orders: Surety bonds and Cash deposits. Surety bonds are a form of insurance that guarantee a party will fulfill its obligation or pay a penalty, while Cash deposits are simply cash deposits that can be used in lieu of a surety bond.