Illinois History and Constitution

Major Rivers

What levels of government serve YOU? National Government State Government County Government Township Village/Town/City School District How is WTHS funded?

102 Counties

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

Kaskaskia—First Capital

Vandalia—2 nd 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)

Illinois General Assembly (Legislative Branch) 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)

U.S. District Courts 94 Courts hearing about 325,000 cases per year Ordinary Trials courts of Federal System U.S. District Courts 94 Courts hearing about 325,000 cases per year Ordinary Trials courts of Federal System U.S. Court of Appeals 13 Courts hearing about 60,000 cases per year U.S. Court of Appeals 13 Courts hearing about 60,000 cases per year 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 Circuit Courts 100 Million filings per year Ordinary trial courts of states State Circuit Courts 100 Million filings per year Ordinary trial courts of states State Appellate Courts 39 states hears about 300,000 cases per year State Appellate Courts 39 states hears about 300,000 cases per year State Supreme Court 50 Courts hears about 100,000 cases per year APPEAL American Court 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

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

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

Prairie Grass: Big Bluestem Tree: White Oak

State Song— “Illinois” SongSong Lyrics By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois, O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois, Comes an echo on the breeze. Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois, And its mellow tones are these, Illinois. From a wilderness of prairies, Illinois, Illinois, Straight thy way and never varies, Illinois, Illinois, Till upon the inland sea, Stands thy great commercial tree, turning all the world to thee, Illinois, Illinois, Turning all the world to thee, Illinois. When you heard your country calling, Illinois, Illinois, Where the shot and shell were falling, Illinois, Illinois, When the Southern host withdrew, Pitting Gray against the Blue, There were none more brave than you, Illinois, Illinois, There were none more brave than you, Illinois. Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois, Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois, On the record of thy years, Abraham Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois, Illinois, Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois.

State Motto.

Miscellaneous Nickname: Prairie State Seal: The Great Seal Slogan: "Land of Lincoln" The slogan was adopted by the General Assembly in 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 The vote was made official by the General Assembly in Illinois citizens voted to select the painted turtle as the state reptile in The vote was made official by the General Assembly in 2005.

Flag Code

Signing the Flag? Mr. Bush? "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." "... It should not be... printed or otherwise impressed on... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."