Illinois History and Constitution 1818

12.8 Million People in the State 70% of Population is in Chicago and its collar counties

History: Read Packet

Kaskaskia—First Capital

Vandalia—2nd Capital

1839—Springfield--Capital

Illinois State Capital Building

Lincoln's Tomb

Illinois Legislative Districts Illinois General Assembly = Legislative Branch made up of a Senate (59) and a House of Representative (118)

Our State Represetatives: State Senator—Suzie Schmidt- R 31st District State Representative Sandy Cole (R)62nd District

Illinois General Assembly (Legislative Branch) Read Packet House—118 Members 21 Years Old U.S. Citizen Resident of District 2 Year Term Starts Impeachments proceedings Presiding officer is the Speaker elected by the 118 members Elected during even numbered elections on the same date as federal elections. Major Duty—pass legislation Can override gov. veto with a 3/5 votes (60%) Senate—59 members 21 Years Old Resident of District 4 Year Term Tries Impeachment Presiding officer is the President elected by the 59 members Elected during even numbered elections on the same date as federal elections. Major Duty—pass legislation Can override gov. veto with a 3/5 votes (60%)

Illinois Executive Branch 6 Main officers elected every 4 years during off-year elections (2006, 2010, etc.) Qualifications 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and reside in IL for 3 years Governor —carries out state laws—highest executive office Lt. Governor —elected with the gov. Attorney General —chief legal officer of state Secretary of State --maintains official state records as well as issues drivers and auto licenses Treasurer --responsible for safekeeping & investment of money Comptroller --maintains state’s central fiscal accounts

The Executive Branch Pat Quinn (D) is our Governor and the head of the Executive Branch Sheila Simon (D) is the Lieutenant Governor-elect of IL Attorney General is Lisa Madigan (D) Secretary of State is Jessie White (D) Treasure will be Dan Rutherford (R) Comproller will be Judy Baar Topinka (R)

State Appellate Courts American Court System U.S. Supreme Court Hears 70-80ish cases per term Article III of Constitution: Original Jurisdiction in cases involving 2 or more states, ambassadors, The U.S. v. a State, citizens of different states, cases in which U.S. is a party State Supreme Court 50 Courts hears about 100,000 cases per year APPEAL APPEAL State Appellate Courts 39 states hears about 300,000 cases per year U.S. Court of Appeals 13 Courts hearing about 60,000 cases per year State Circuit Courts 100 Million filings per year Ordinary trial courts of states U.S. District Courts 94 Courts hearing about 325,000 cases per year Ordinary Trials courts of Federal System

Judicial Branch 3 TYPES OF COURTS ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT IL SUPREME COURT Elected Qualifications: U.S. Citizen, Licensed Lawyer, Resident of judicial district in which elected 7 Judges 10 yr. term APPELLATE (APPEAL) COURTS 10 Year Term CIRCUIT COURTS (main trial courts) 6 Year Term

What are the requirements to vote in Illinois? C--Citizen A--Age R—Resident/Register *When is the next general election in Illinois?

State Symbols Animal: White-tailed Deer Bird: Cardinal Dance: Square Dance Fish: Bluegill

Flower: Purple Violet Fossil: Tully Monster Insect: Monarch Butterfly Mineral: Fluorite

Prairie Grass: Big Bluestem Tree: White Oak

State Motto .

Miscellaneous Nickname: Prairie State Seal: The Great Seal Slogan: "Land of Lincoln" The slogan was adopted by the General Assembly in 1955. The State of Illinois has a copyright for the exclusive use of the slogan. Origin of state's name: Algonquin Indian for "tribe of superior men” Wikipedia says this in incorrect and that the meaning most likely means "s/he speaks normally"

RECENT UPDATES!!! Illinois citizens voted to select the eastern tiger salamander as the state amphibian in 2004. The vote was made official by the General Assembly in 2005. Illinois citizens voted to select the painted turtle as the state reptile in 2004. The vote was made official by the General Assembly in 2005.