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.

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.

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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 – 8/21/20141. When did Illinois become an official state?2. What are the 3 capitol cities in Illinois history?3. What is the main duty of the legislative branch?4. How long do members of the State House of

Representatives serve their term of office?5. 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. Guilty = removal from office.

Requirements of Leg. Branch: 21 yrs. old Resident of district for min. 2 yrs. Legal U.S. citizen

HOMEWORK #2 – 8/25/20141. What is the House district that represents

Creve Coeur?2. How many Senators are in the Illinois Senate?3. How long does a Senator serve their term of

office?4. What is the Senate district that represents

Creve Coeur?5. What does the Senate serve as during

impeachment cases?6. How old do Senators have to be in order to be

elected?7. How long must a Senator live in their

represented district?

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.

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?

What is THAT?

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 – 9/3/20141. How old does a Governor have to be?2. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the state militia?3. Who pays the bills for the state of Illinois?4. What is the main job of the judicial branch?5. Who is the head of the judicial branch?6. How old does a judge have to be?7. Why does the Supreme Court have 7 justices?

IL House Committee

Bill

IL Senate

IL Senate Committee

IL House of Rep.

Law

Gov.

51%+

51%+

Veto

1. Sign Bill

>60%

>60%2. Veto Bill

3. Ignore bill 60 days; automatically becomes law.

Lawmaking Process

Bill – a proposal for a law.

HOMEWORK #4 – 9/4/20141. Is a bill a law? Define what a bill is.2. Before reaching the House or Senate floor,

where do bills start?3. How much of a vote is needed to pass a bill in

the House or Senate?4. What are the three options the Governor has

once a bill reaches his desk?5. 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 – 9/8/20141. What type of municipal gov’t does Creve Coeur

use?2. How many village trustees serve on a village

board?3. When do general elections take place?4. What is a referendum?5. How old do you have to be to vote in Illinois?6. What 3 types of people receive absentee

ballots?