1. Illinois Constitution

2. Historical Background
The 1970 Constitution was the 4th one Illinois has had.
The first Constitution went into effect when IL became the 21st state on December 3, 1818.
First Const. created a weak governor with no veto power.
All 4 Constitutions are in the Archives Building in Springfield.

3. New Things in 1970 Constitution
Preamble now says the government must protect people’s health and must fight poverty and inequality.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor are now elected as a team from one party.
Home rule- Local governments can conduct their own business and create local laws without the permission of the state government.
New article on the environment

4. IL Const. is much longer than the U.S. Const.
Why? Because it is more specific
Creates 3 branches:
-Executive
-Judicial
-Legislative
Separation of Powers
Schedule- Provisions to help change from one Constitution to another.

5. Preamble Introduces the Constitution Tells what the purpose is
Starts off “We the people of the State of Illinois”

6. Article One
Bill of Rights (At the beginning instead of the end like in U.S. Const.)
Gives Inalienable rights- Rights that can not be taken away
Ex: Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Gives personal freedoms (religion, speech, assembly)

7. Article 3, Suffrage and Elections
Voting requirements:
-U.S. Citizen
-18 yrs old (used to be 21)
-Resident of IL for at least 30 days before election
-If you are 17, you can vote in the Primary Election if you will be 18 before the General Election.
State Board of Elections-
Group that supervises and carries
out elections.

8. Article 4, The Legislature
Bicameral: Made up of 2 houses
Senate & House of Representatives make up the
General Assembly
Senate
-59 Senators
-Two or four year terms
House of Representatives
-118 Representatives
-Two year term

9. Sen. & Rep. Requirements U.S. Citizen At least 21 yrs old
Live in district for at least 2 yrs

10. Speaker of the House- Highest officer in the House
Speaker of the House- Highest officer in the House. From the Majority party.
President of the Senate- Highest officer in the Senate. From the Majority party.
Quorum needed to conduct business
Bill  Law Process
-Bills can start in either house
-Must be signed by Speaker and Pres. of Senate first
-Then Governor can sign or veto
-60 days to act (vs. 10 for Pres.)
-3 types of vetoes (vs. 2 for Pres.)

11. Article 5, The Executive 4 year terms for all Executive offices
Qualifications:
-U.S. Citizen
-At least 25 yrs. old
-Live in state for at least 3 yrs.

12. Exec. Offices Governor -Head of Exec. branch -Enforces laws
-Appoints officers
-Issues executive orders
-Commander in chief of state military (National Guard)
-Gives the Condition of the State message
-Bruce Rauner

13. Lieutenant Governor
-Completes tasks given by governor
-Elected with the governor
-First in line of succession
Attorney General
-Legal officer of the state
-Provides legal advice

14. Secretary of State
-Keeps records of General Assembly and the Executive Branch
-Office issues driver’s licenses
-Symbolic keeper of the Seal of Illinois
Comptroller
-Maintains the state’s fiscal accounts
Treasurer
-Protects & invests state funds
-Makes payments

15. Article 6, The Judiciary 3 levels of courts: -Supreme Court
-Appellate Court
-Circuit Courts
Judges are chosen by the people

16. Supreme Court 7 Justices 1 Chief Justice 4 needed for a quorum
Has appellate and original jurisdiction
Serve 10 yr. terms

17. Appellate Court 5 appellate courts
Most cases are appealed from circuit courts
Circuit Courts
-Trial courts of Illinois
-Serves a judicial circuit
-Has original jurisdiction

18. Article 7, Local Government
Counties- Basic subdivision of the state
102 counties in IL
Municipalities- Cities, villages, and incorporated towns.

19. County Officers All counties are to have a sheriff,
county clerk, and treasurer
Sheriff- ________________
County Clerk- ____________________
Treasurer- ________________________

20. Article 10, Education
The state of Illinois provides free education K-12, financed by the state government.
The State Board of Education was created to supervise schools.