1. State Government Chapter 23

2. Introduction Section 1-2
Constitutional government in America began with colonial charters, long before the United States Constitution. 
When the colonies declared their independence in 1776, some states kept their old colonial charters as their state constitutions, while other states drew up new constitutions. 
Since 1776 the 50 states have had a total of 146 constitutions.
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3. Illinois has had 4 State Constitutions
Importance of Constitutions
Section 1-3
State constitutions create the structure of state government. 
Like the federal Constitution, every state constitution provides for separation of powers among three branches of government–legislative, executive, and judicial.
Illinois has had 4 State Constitutions
1818, 1848, 1870 and 1970
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4. Importance of Constitutions (cont.)
Section 1-5
As the basic law of the state, the state constitution is supreme above all other laws made within the state. 
At the same time, the state constitution cannot contain provisions that clash with the United States Constitution.
4 Things State Constitutions Provide
* Organization of State Government
*How to Raise and Spend Money
* Create Agencies
* Establish Local Governments
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5. Effective State Constitutions Should Have:
Be brief and to the point – not always happen
Give Direct Authority to Governor and Legislators so they can be held accountable
Should be receptive to change – amendment process

6. Length
Section 1-8
Over the years additions to state constitutions in many states have resulted in very long documents. 
While the national Constitution has about 7,000 words, the average state constitution today has more than 28,000 words. 
Very long constitutions are found in such states as Texas, with 62,000 words, and Alabama, with about 174,000 words–equal to about 200 pages of a textbook.
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7. Making a New Constitution in Illinois
Constitutional Commission/Convention
3/5 of General Assembly call for it
Vote of people in Illinois
3/5 of those voting – vote “Yes”
2 delegates from each Legislative District appointed to attend Convention
Proposed changes again submitted to voters

8. Proposing Amendments in Illinois
Proposed in either House by 3/5 majority vote.
Published for 30 days
Proposed amendment submitted to voters
Approved if 3/5 of those voting vote “Yes”
End Sect. 1

9. The Legislative Branch (cont.)
Section 2-4
Almost every state has a bicameral state legislature–one with two houses, like the United States Congress. 
The upper house is always called the senate, and the lower house is usually called the house of representatives. 
Nebraska has the only unicameral, or one-chambered, state legislature in the country.
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10. Make-Up of Illinois General Assembly
118 members in the House of Representatives – 2 year term
59 members in the Senate – 4/2/4 year term
177 total members in General Assembly
We are in the 117th House District – John Bradley our State Representative
We are in the 59th Legislative District – Gary Forby our State Senator

11. Qualifications to be a Member of Illinois General Assembly
21 Years of Age
U.S. Citizen
Live in the District They will represent for 2 years
Salary $67,000 +
Term – 2 years (Rep)
4 years (Senator)
Gary Forby – Our State Senator

12. WF is located in the 117th Representative District and the
59th Legislative District
Redistricting every 10 years (Legislative Redistricting Commission)

13. House and Senate Leadership
Speaker of the House – Michael Madigan
Senate
President of Senate – John Cullerton
Majority Leader – James Clayborne

14. The Executive Branch Section 2-17
Every state has an executive branch of government headed by a governor. 
The office of governor, in a sense, was created to be weak because of bad experiences colonists had with royal governors. 
Like the office of president, the office of governor has generally become more powerful in recent years.
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15. Qualifications to be Governor in Illinois
U.S. Citizen
25 years of age
3 years live in the state before election
Term – 4 years
Salary $177,000+
Governor Bruce Rauner

16. The Roles of the Governor
Section 2-22
The executive branch of state government carries out laws the state legislature passes. 
The governor’s responsibilities may include: 
budgeting 
appointing officials 
planning for economic growth 
coordinating the work of executive departments
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17. Other Duties of the Governor
Deliver State of the State Address
Issue Executive Orders
Activate National Guard in times of need
Pardons, Reprieves and Amnesty
Call/Adjourn General Assembly
Overall Power and Duties have Increased!

18. Veto Powers of the Governor
Governor has 60 days to decide fate of a bill
Veto can be overridden by General Assembly by 3/5 vote of both houses
Item Veto
Reduction Veto – Money Bills
Amendatory Veto

19. Other Members of the Executive Branch
Lt. Governor – Evelyn Sanguinetti (R)
Attorney General – Lisa Madigan (D)
Secretary of State – Jesse White (D)
Comptroller – Leslie Munger (R)
Treasurer – Mike Frerichs (D)
All must meet same requirements as the Governor

20. Organization of State Courts
Judicial Branch – Article VI
Organization of State Courts
Illinois Supreme
Court
10 year term
All State Judges in Illinois are Elected by the voters!
Appellate Courts
(Mt. Vernon)
10 year term
6 year term – Circuit Judge
4 year term – Associate Judge
Circuit Courts
(Trial Courts)

22. Illinois Supreme Court
Made up of 7 Judges
10 Year Terms
Citizen of the U.S
Licensed Attorney in Illinois
Live in unit represented
Supreme Court located in separate building in Springfield
Hears appeals form lower courts in Illinois
$207, 066 salary

23. Illinois Supreme Court

24. Circuit Courts General Trial Courts in Illinois
Hear cases first (original jurisdiction)
Located in a Judicial Circuit (2nd)
Overseen by a Chief Judge
Circuit Judges ( 6 year term) $178,835
Associate Judges (4 year term) $169, 893

25. Judicial Circuits in Illinois
Franklin County Located in the 2nd Judicial Circuit

26. How are Judges Chosen? Elected by people
Associate judges appointed by other judges
Ask to be RETAINED after being elected the first time

27. Removal of State Judges
Judicial Inquiry Board – hears complaints about judges
Courts Commission – Decide complaints from Inquiry Board
3 Members of 5 must agree

28. State’s Attorneys 1 elected from each county
Official who sees that violators of state and local laws are prosecuted
Evan Owens – Franklin Co. States Attorney

29. Introduction Section 4-2
State taxes raise nearly half of the general revenue of state governments. 
In addition, states receive money from the federal government, lotteries, license fees, and by borrowing money.
Illinois Annual Budget - $55 Billion!
Illinois Currently $38 Billion in Debt!
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31. Tax Revenue
Section 4-3
Individual state constitutions limit state taxing powers. The federal Constitution also limits a state’s taxing powers in three ways: 
A state cannot tax goods or products that move in or out of the state or the country. 
A state cannot tax federal property. 
A state cannot use its taxing power to deprive people of “equal protection of the law.”
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32. The Sales Tax
Section 4-5
Today almost all states have some type of sales tax, which accounts for about half the total tax revenue of state governments. 
Two types of sales tax exist: 
The general sales tax is a tax imposed on a broad range of items people buy–cars, clothing, household products, and many other types of merchandise. 
The selective sales tax is a tax imposed on certain items such as gasoline, liquor, or cigarettes. The selective sales tax is also called an excise tax.
Sales tax is referred to as a “Regressive Tax”
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33. The State Income Tax Section 4-7
Today most states have individual and corporate income taxes, which account for more than 30 percent of all state tax revenues. 
When this tax varies with a person’s ability to pay, it is called a progressive tax. 
Some states assess income taxes at the same rate for every wage earner, which is called a proportional tax.
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34. Other Taxes
Section 4-8
States require license fees for a wide variety of businesses and professions– doctors, realtors, lawyers, electricians, and others. 
Fees for motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses by far bring in the most license tax revenue that states collect. 
States impose severance taxes on the removal of natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, uranium, and fish from state land or water.
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35. Other Taxes (cont.) Section 4-9
Many states still use the state property tax, which is a tax on certain kinds of property such as jewelry and furniture. 
Every state except Nevada has inheritance or estate taxes. These are taxes that states collect on the money and property inherited when a person dies.
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36. Lotteries
Section 4-12
Nearly three-fourths of the states run public lotteries to raise revenue. 
Lotteries, once outlawed, emerged again after Congress passed legislation permitting state lotteries in 
The states spend about half the lottery income on prizes and 6 percent on administration.
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37. Other Sources of Revenue Federal Grants
Catagorical Grants
Must Be Used for Specific Purpose
Block Grants
Preferred by State and Local Governments
Less Restrictions for Spending