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Illinois Constitution Notes. Brief history of Illinois. Illinois was initially a French territory. First French settlement was Fort Creve Coeur French used land for fur trapping/trading. France gives up control of Illinois following French/Indian War.
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Brief history of Illinois • Illinois was initially a French territory. • First French settlement was Fort Creve Coeur • French used land for fur trapping/trading. • France gives up control of Illinois following French/Indian War. • Illinois exists as county of Virginia until 1782.
Brief history of Illinois • Illinois added as a state in 1818. • Kaskaskia is first capitol of Illinois; Shadrach Bond first governor. • Capitol moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia in 1839 • Springfield becomes capitol city later that year, at request of Abraham Lincoln. #3 #2 #1
Legislative Branch • 1st of 3 branches in the state gov’t. • Main duty of legislative branch: make laws. • State of Illinois legislative branch is called the General Assembly. • General Assembly is made up of 2 houses: • House of Representatives • Senate • Both houses meet in Capitol Building in Springfield.
House of Representatives • The Illinois House of Representatives totals 118 members. • They are elected by the people of their represented district. • Every state district is guaranteed at least 2 representatives from each district. • “Reps” serve a 2 year term of office. • Can be re-elected an unlimited number of times.
House of Representatives • Unlike Federal gov’t., the number of reps from a district is not based on population. • Each rep. earns $67,836 a year. • The Illinois House of Representatives also retains the sole power to impeach a state gov’t official. • Impeach – to accuse an elected official of misconduct before an appropriate tribunal.
Homework #1 – 8/23/2012 • When did Illinois become an official state? • What are the 3 capitol cities in Illinois history? • What is the main duty of the legislative branch? • How long do members of the State House of Representatives serve their term of office? • How many members make up the State House of Representatives total?
Senate • The Illinois State Senate totals 59 members. • Senators are elected from their represented districts. • The state districts for Creve Coeur are: • House – 89th • Senate – 45th • Every district is guaranteed 1 senator from each district (regardless of size).
Senate • Senators serve a 4 year term. • Can be re-elected an unlimited number of times. • Senators earn $67,836 a year.
Misc. Legislative Branch • Senators also serve as a jury in impeachment cases. • Decides whether person is guilty or not; determines whether they lose office. • Requirements of Leg. Branch: • 21 yrs. old • Resident of district for min. 2 yrs. • Legal U.S. citizen
Executive Branch • 2nd of 3 branches of IL gov’t. • Main job is to enforce laws. • Head of the branch is the Governor. • Governor serves a 4 yr. term. • Can be re-elected an unlimited number of times.
Homework #2 – 8/28/2012 • What is the House district that represents Creve Coeur? • How many Senators are in the Illinois Senate? • How long does a Senator serve their term of office? • What is the Senate district that represents Creve Coeur? • What does the Senate serve as during impeachment cases? • How old do Senators have to be in order to be elected? • How long must a Senator live in their represented district?
Executive Branch • Governor makes $150,691 per year of term. • Requirements for being Governor: • Must be 25 yrs. old • Must be resident of state 3 yrs. prior to election • Legal U.S. citizen • Governor may grant the following: • Pardons • Commutations • Reprieves Huh?
Executive Branch • Governor is also Commander-in-Chief of state militia (President can overrule). • Order of succession for the Governor’s seat is: • Lt. Governor • Attorney General • Sec. of State Why is this necessary?
Executive Branch • Other parts of Executive Branch: • Attorney General – Chief legal officer of IL • Sec. of State – Holds Great Seal of IL • Comptroller – Pays bills for IL • Treasurer – Maintains money accounts for IL
Judicial Branch • 3rd of 3 branches of gov’t. • Main job: Judge/interpret law. • Head of the branch are Illinois Supreme Court Justices. • Order of the judicial system in Illinois: • Circuit • Appellate • Supreme
Judicial Branch • Illinois Supreme Court is highest court in state. • Only overruled by U.S. Supreme Court • Judges in Illinois are elected into positions. • Once a judge is elected, they are retained if they receive 3/5 (60%) vote.
Judicial Branch • Qualifications to be a judge in Illinois: • Legal U.S. citizen • Licensed attorney of the state. • Resident of district elected from. • Court of Appeals hears appeals cases from Circuit Court. • No witnesses, statements, or evidence is presented. • Lawyers from both sides present their case and court rules. • 3 judges serve on the Illinois Appellate Court
Judicial Branch • Illinois Supreme Court hears: • Appeals cases from lower courts (Circuit, Appellate) • Violation of Rights cases • Just like Appellate, Supreme Court hears the case from both lawyers and then gives judgment. • 7 judges sit on Supreme Court • All 7 are appointed by Governor. • One is chosen to be Chief Justice of Court (head judge of court). Why 7 judges?
Homework #3 – 8/30/2012 • How old does a Governor have to be? • Who is Commander-in-Chief of the state militia? • Who pays the bills for the state of Illinois? • What is the main job of the judicial branch? • Who is the head of the judicial branch? • How old does a judge have to be? • Why does the Supreme Court have 7 justices?
Veto Gov. House of Rep. Senate >60% 51%+ 51%+ 1. Sign Bill >60% 2. Veto Bill 3. Ignore bill 60 days; automatically becomes law. Senate Committee House Committee Law Lawmaking Process Bill
Homework #4 – 9/4/2012 • Is a bill a law? Define what a bill is. • Before reaching the House or Senate floor, where do bills start? • How much of a vote is needed to pass a bill in the House or Senate? • What are the three options the Governor has once a bill reaches his desk? • How much of a vote is needed to overturn a veto in both houses?
IL Municipal Gov’t. • There are 5 types of municipal gov’t (city gov’t) in Illinois. • Those forms are: • Mayor/Council • Trustee Village • Commission • Council Manager • Strong Mayor
IL Municipal Gov’t. • Creve Coeur uses the Trustee Village form of municipal gov’t. • 6 trustees serve on a board; represent different parts of the Village • Trustees are elected by the people of their district and serve a 2-4 yr. term. • Village board is led by a Village President; elected by people of the village. • Village President serves a 4 year term.
IL Municipal Gov’t & Voting • General elections take place on the Tuesday following the 1st Monday of November. • General elections are when people of the state elect either a Governor or President. • General elections take place every 2 years. • Referendums are votes on public issues (ex. Building new school).
IL Municipal Gov’t & Voting • Voting requirements of IL: • 18 yrs. old • Legal U.S. citizen • Must live in election district 30 days prior to election • Must register to vote 28 days prior to election • Absentee ballots are given to voters who can’t make it to the polls on election night. • Absentee ballots are sent to: • Elderly • Sick • Military
Homework #5 – 9/6/2012 • What type of municipal gov’t does Creve Coeur use? • How many village trustees serve on a village board? • When do general elections take place? • What is a referendum? • How old do you have to be to vote in Illinois? • What 3 types of people receive absentee ballots?