Illustrator :: Creating Master AI File Like HTML Include File

I would like to create a master background layer that multiple pages will be built over, while retaining the ability to edit the master background layer after-the-fact which will automatically change all the subsequent pages.
 
Similar to how an include file would work on a webpage, ie: create the menu as an include file, then all pages that reference that include file would have their menus changed when that single include file gets modified.
 
Or another way of looking at it: like how headers/footers work in word, ie: change the header or footer and all pages in that document are automatically modified.
 
Illustrator CS6 PC.