Illinois State Government

Illinois Handbook of Government

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41 st Governor Pat Quinn Qualifications: Must be a U.S. Citizen At least 25 years old A resident of the state for 3 years before the election Terms of Office 4 years No limit on # of terms

Duties of the Governor Chief Executive Officer of the state May sign or veto bills Presents a “state budget” Appoints people to office Grants pardons and reprieves Pat Quinn (Democrat) was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois on Jan. 29, He won election to a full term on Nov. 2, 2010.

Lt. Governor Duties of the Lt. Gov. Assigned duties by the Governor * Committee chair of several Governor Councils ( IL River projects, housing, health care, transportation projects…) Becomes the Governor if needed – 1 st line in succession. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon

Attorney General - Lisa Madigan Duties Chief Legal Officer for the state Keeps records of consumer fraud to protect consumers and helps citizens & defend the rights of Illinois citizens. p. 14 of handbook Illinois Attorney General - About Us

Secretary of State Jesse White Duties: Keeps records of the General Assembly Issues drivers’ licenses, plates & titles State archivist and state librarian of legal and historic value. Keeps records of the Executive Branch Administers Organ/Tissue Donor program P. 15 of handbook This handbook online!P. 15 of handbook

Comptroller Duties: Chief fiscal (money) control officer Keeps track of all money spent by the state Maintains state financial information ( accounting) “ Judy Baar Topinka was sworn-in as Illinois State Comptroller on January 10, becoming the first woman in Illinois history to serve in two State Constitutional Offices. Prior to becoming Comptroller, Topinka served as the Illinois State Treasurer from 1994 to She was the first woman in Illinois history to hold the post, and made history again by becoming the first State Treasurer to be reelected to three consecutive terms. A recognized and respected taxpayer watchdog, Judy has a well-earned reputation for speaking up against mismanagement of public funds.”

Treasurer – Dan Rutherford Duties: Actually writes the checks Responsible for the safe keeping and investing state money p. 17 of handbook As the state’s banker, Rutherford is responsible for investing more than $15 billion in taxpayer dollars.

Major State Dept. & Agencies State of Illinois Home : State AgenciesState of Illinois Home : State Agencies P. 47 of handbook

Dept. of Agriculture Promotes, regulates, and protects farming Operates the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair Nice picture of Thomas Crome & his Montadale !

Dept. of Corrections Incarceration of adults and juveniles Supervises after completion of sentencing

Dept. of Human Services Licenses foster homes, child welfare, and daycares Programs for abused and neglected children Gives help to families with dependent children Medical assistance and food stamp programs

Illinois State Police Patrols state highways Enforces traffic codes and criminal laws

Dept. of Natural Resources Manages state parks Conducts education and safety classes

Dept. of Revenue Collects income taxes Collects sales taxes

Dept. of Transportation Builds, coordinates, and maintains roads Airports, public transit, railroads, and waterways

Legislative Branch General Assembly Qualifications: 21 years old U.S. citizen Live in district for 2 years Members: Senate -59 members House of Rep Terms: Senate 4,4,2 years House of Rep. 2 years

Legislative Branch General Assembly Duties: Make the laws for the state by passing bills.. Impeach state office holders Act on amendments to the U.S. Constitution Senate – approves appointments by the governor

Legislative Branch General Assembly Leadership: p. 22 in handbook Senate President and Speaker of the House John J. Cullerton Senate President Michael Madigan Speaker of the House

Our Legislative District Senator: District 55 Dale Righter Representative: District 110 Brad Halbrook Dale Righter Brad Halbrook Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography

Judicial Branch Illinois Supreme Court p. 54 in handbook Term – 10 years # of members – 7 Duties: ~ Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts ~ Hears appeals from lower courts

Judicial Branch Appellate Courts Term – elected for 10 years # of courts – 5 judicial districts Duties ~ 3 justices hear cases ~ hears appeals from Circuit Courts

Judicial Branch Circuit Courts Term – elected for 6 years 22 circuits courts in IL Duties of the courts- * original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases * hears cases of all kinds, from divorces to murders

Our Illinois Constitution Illinois Constitution Educators :Understanding our ConstitutionEducators

Federal-State Governmental relations Our U.S. Senators from Illinois represent our state in Washington D.C. in the 111 th Congress Dick Durbin is a Democrat from Springfield John Shmikus is our U.S. Representative in the 15 th district

What Congressional District are we since 2001? See page 9 of the handbook

The End More to come from the Handbook of Illinois Government