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Illinois Constitution

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

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Illinois Constitution

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  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. 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.

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