Illinois Constitution

What is the Illinois General Assembly?

State legislature of Illinois

responsible for enacting and amending laws, passing state budget, confirming executive departments

Two chambers of the Illinois General Assembly

House of Representatives and Senate

What qualifications are required to serve as State Representative?

U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, resident of the district for 2 years

What qualifications are required to serve as a State Senator?

U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, resident of district for 2 years

Term length for Reps and Senators

Reps: 2 year terms, Senator: 4 year terms

Major powers and responsibilities of General Assembly

Make state laws, raising revenues (taxes), approving state budget

How can the General Assembly override a governor’s veto?

2/3 vote from BOTH houses

What qualifications must a person meet to become governor of Illinois?

U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, resident of IL for 3 years

Term length: 4-year terms, no term limits

Responsibilities of governor

“Chief Executive Officer of Illinois”

Creates the state budget, signs or vetoes bills, appoints many state officials

Responsiblities of Lieutenant Governor

Becomes governor if governor cannot finish term. performs duties assigned by Governor

Responsibilities of Attorney General

“Chief Legal Officer of IL”

Represent state in legal matters, provides legal advice to state agencies

Responsiblities of Secretary of State

Keeps official state records, issue drivers license, maintains vehicle registration records

Responsibilities of Comptroller

“Chief Fiscal Control Officer”

Pays state bills, maintains finance records

Responsibilities of Treasurer

State’s banker, invest state funds, safeguards state $$$

Governor

JB Pritzker

Lieutenant Governor

Juliana Stratton

Attorney General

Kwame Raoul

Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias

Comptroller

Susana Mendoza

Treasurer

Mike Frerichs

Role of IL Supreme Court

Highest court in IL, interpreting IL constitution, has original jurisdiction in special cases

How many justices serve on the IL Supreme Court?

7 justices (10 year terms)

Purpose of Appellate Court

Reviews decisions made by lower courts, correcting legal errors (10 year terms)

What type of cases are heard in Circuit Courts?

Trial courts, hears most cases in IL (6 year terms)

How do the 3 levels of IL courts work together?

Circuit Courts (trial), Appellate courts (first review), IL Supreme Court (final authority)

What requirements must a person meet to vote in IL?

US Citizen, 18 years old, Resident of IL for at least 30 days prior to election

How can IL change its Constitution?

Proposed by General Assembly - requires 3/5 vote in both houses

Constitutional Convention

Approved by Illinois votes (3/5)

How can a Constitutional Convention be called in IL?

3/5 vote by General Assembly, approval by a majority of votes

If one isnt called, the Secretary of State must place the question before voters every 20 years

What rights/protections were added or strengthened in the 1970 Constitution

Equal protection, freedom of speech, voting rights, rights of crime victims, privacy protections were added to the Constitution

State bird

Nothern Cardinal

State Flower

Violet

State tree

White oak

State animal

white-tailed deer

State fish

bluegill

State snackfood

Popcorn

State slogan

Land of Lincoln

State nickname

The Prairie State

Major river in IL

Illinois River

Current capital

Springfield

1 Current Legislation and its importance…

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