1818

Illinois became the 21st state

1970

Current Illinois Constitution adopted

60 days

How long a governor may consider a bill

Circuit Courts

General trial courts in Illinois

Pat Quinn

Current Governor of IL

Springfield

Present capital of IL

118

Number of Representatives in the Illinois

House of Representatives

Senate

Approves governor’s appointments

4 Illinois voting qualifications

• 18 years old• Citizen of the U.S.• Live in the district 30 days• Register 28 days before election

General Assembly

Legislative branch in Illinois

(Senate + House of Representatives)

Lieutenant Governor

Next in succession after the Governor

59

Number of Senate districts in IL

102

Number of counties in Illinois

We are in Woodford

Election Day in Illinois

1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in even years

Governor

Chief Executive Officer in IL

Secretary of State

Maintains official records/ acts of the General Assembly

3 types of Courts in Illinois

• Circuit

• Appelate

• Supreme

General Elections

• Held every 2 years (even-numbered)• Next election is 2010

Lobbies

Organized groups that seek to influence lawmakers

Qualifications of Governor

• 25 years old• Resident of state 3 years• Citizen of U.S.

4 years

Term of governor

3 branches of Illinois government(like Federal)

• Legislative• Executive• Judicial

Illinois has had 4 constitutions

• 1818• 1848• 1870• 1970

Illinois has had 3 capitals

• Kaskaskia• Vandalia

• Springfield

Home Rule

• 1970 Conventional Constitution gave local governments (cities and towns) power to pass ordinances “for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare” or, within certain limitation, to tax and incur debt without specific legislation from the General Assembly.

Referendum

• to vote on public issues such as bond issues of governmental bodies or changes in the state constitution

• Example: school districts ask voters about building new schools

Dale Risinger

State Senator for the 37th district