Isabella Carter
The Illinois Constitution has had four iterations, with the fourth and current version being ratified in 1970 and amended several times since. Amendments to the Illinois Constitution can be made through four mechanisms: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process, with the latter requiring signatures from 8% of voters who participated in the previous gubernatorial election. Amendments can also be proposed by the state legislature, which requires a 60% vote during a legislative session. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be submitted to the electors during a general election and will be adopted if approved by a majority of voters or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Illinois Constitutions | 4 |
| Date of the first Illinois Constitution | 1818 |
| Date of the fourth Illinois Constitution | 1970 |
| Date the fourth Illinois Constitution went into effect | July 1, 1971 |
| Date of the last approved amendment | November 8, 2022 |
| Frequency of asking Illinois voters if they desire a constitutional convention | Every 20 years |
| Minimum number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | 8% of votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election |
| Minimum vote required in the Illinois General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 60% |
| Minimum votes required in the Illinois House of Representatives | 71 |
| Minimum votes required in the Illinois State Senate | 36 |
| Requirements for the General Assembly to take action on proposed amendments | Majority of members must have been elected after the proposed amendment has been submitted for ratification |
| Requirements for a proposed amendment to become effective | Approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election |
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What You'll Learn
- Illinois voters must be asked at least every 20 years if they want a constitutional convention
- The petition for an amendment must be signed by petitioning electors within 24 months of the general election
- The petition must be filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the general election
- A majority of the General Assembly must be elected after the proposed amendment is submitted for ratification
- The amendment must be approved by either three-fifths of those voting on it or a majority of those voting in the election
Illinois voters must be asked at least every 20 years if they want a constitutional convention
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and most recent version adopted in 1970. This constitution is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution", despite amendments being made after 1970.
Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution, titled "Constitutional Revision", outlines the procedures for amending the constitution. One of these procedures is a constitutional convention, which requires Illinois voters to be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. This is to provide an opportunity for citizens to propose changes to the constitution. The last time this measure was put to a vote was in 2008, where it was defeated by a significant margin.
The process of amending the Illinois Constitution through a constitutional convention typically begins with a petition. This petition must include the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the amendment will be submitted. It must be signed by petitioning electors within a 24-month period preceding the election and filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the election. If the petition is deemed valid and sufficient, the proposed amendment is then presented to the electors at the general election. For the amendment to be approved, it must be supported by either three-fifths of those specifically voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the general election.
Illinois has a history of constitutional conventions, with notable conventions taking place in 1862, 1920, and 1969. While the 1862 and 1920 conventions saw their proposed changes rejected by voters, the 1969 convention resulted in the fourth version of the Illinois Constitution, which was ratified in 1970 and remains the current governing document of the state.
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The petition for an amendment must be signed by petitioning electors within 24 months of the general election
The Illinois Constitution outlines a detailed process for amending its provisions, and one of the critical steps is the involvement of petitioning electors. The petition for an amendment must be signed by these petitioning electors, and there are specific timelines that must be adhered to for the signatures to be valid. The Illinois Constitution stipulates that the petition must be signed by the petitioning electors within 24 months preceding the general election. This means that the signatures must be gathered relatively recently before the election, ensuring that the support for the proposed amendment is current and reflects the will of the people at the time of the election.
The process of gathering signatures from petitioning electors is an essential aspect of direct democracy, allowing citizens to have a direct say in the amendment process. By requiring the signatures of petitioning electors, the Illinois Constitution ensures that any changes to its framework have a level of support from the electorate. This helps prevent hasty or unpopular amendments from being made without sufficient backing from the people of Illinois. The 24-month timeframe provides a reasonable window for supporters of the amendment to mobilise and gather the necessary signatures to demonstrate broad support for the proposed change.
The petition itself must also meet specific requirements. According to the Illinois Constitution, it should contain the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the amendment will be put to a vote. This transparency ensures that petitioning electors are fully informed about the specifics of the amendment they are supporting. Additionally, the petition must be filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the general election. This deadline is crucial for the overall timeline of the amendment process and allows for the verification of signatures and the preparation of ballots.
Once the petition meets all the requirements, including the necessary signatures and filing deadlines, the proposed amendment moves forward in the process. It is then submitted to the electors at the general election, where it will be voted on. For the amendment to be ratified and become part of the Illinois Constitution, it must receive approval from either three-fifths of those voting specifically on the amendment or a simple majority of all voters participating in the election. This final step ensures that any changes to the constitution are ultimately decided by the people of Illinois through a democratic vote.
The process outlined in the Illinois Constitution, including the role of petitioning electors, serves as a safeguard to ensure that amendments are carefully considered and have sufficient support before being enacted. It strikes a balance between the need for constitutional flexibility and the stability of the state's governing document. By requiring signatures from petitioning electors within 24 months of the general election, the process encourages citizen engagement and helps protect the integrity of the Illinois Constitution.
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The petition must be filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the general election
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and current version adopted in 1970. This version is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution". While there have been amendments to the 1970 Constitution, any changes to the Illinois Constitution must follow the procedures outlined in Article XIV, titled "Constitutional Revision".
Article XIV requires that any proposed amendment to the Constitution be submitted to the Secretary of State at least six months before the general election. This is to allow time for the Secretary of State to review the petition and determine its validity and sufficiency. The petition must contain the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the amendment will be voted on. It must also be signed by petitioning electors within the twenty-four months preceding the general election.
If the petition is valid and sufficient, the proposed amendment will be included on the ballot for the general election. For an amendment to be valid, it must receive approval from either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment specifically or a majority of those voting in the general election. This is in line with the requirements for all amendments, which must be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting specifically on the amendment.
The process of amending the Illinois Constitution can be initiated by citizens, through what is known as an initiated constitutional amendment. This process is allowed in 18 states across the US. In Illinois, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast for the governor in the previous gubernatorial election. It is important to note that initiated constitutional amendments in Illinois can only amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, which pertains specifically to the structure of the Illinois State Legislature.
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A majority of the General Assembly must be elected after the proposed amendment is submitted for ratification
The Illinois Constitution outlines specific procedures for amending its provisions, and one of the critical requirements is that a majority of the General Assembly must be elected after the proposed amendment is submitted for ratification. This condition ensures that any changes made to the state's governing document undergo a thorough and democratic process.
The Illinois Constitution has a detailed process for proposing and enacting amendments. It begins with a petition, which must include the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the amendment will be considered. This petition must be signed by electors within a specific timeframe and submitted to the Secretary of State well in advance of the election.
Once the petition is deemed valid and sufficient, the proposed amendment is put before the electors at the general election. For the amendment to be adopted, it must receive approval from either three-fifths of those specifically voting on the amendment or a majority of all voters participating in the election. This process empowers Illinois citizens to have a direct say in shaping their state's constitution.
However, the condition that a majority of the General Assembly be elected after the proposed amendment is submitted for ratification adds another layer of scrutiny and representation to the amendment process. This requirement ensures that any changes made to the constitution are supported by a fresh mandate from the people of Illinois, as represented by their newly elected representatives.
By mandating that a majority of the General Assembly be elected after the submission of a proposed amendment, Illinois ensures that the legislative body considering the amendment is representative of the state's current political landscape. This safeguard helps prevent amendments from being ratified by a General Assembly that may no longer accurately reflect the will of the people on this particular issue.
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The amendment must be approved by either three-fifths of those voting on it or a majority of those voting in the election
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and most recent version adopted in 1970. The 1970 Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles, and it outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
Amendments to the Illinois Constitution can be proposed through four mechanisms: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. In the case of a citizen-initiated process, a petition shall contain the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the amendment will be submitted. This petition must be signed by petitioning electors no earlier than 24 months before the election and filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the election. If the petition is valid, the proposed amendment will be submitted to the electors at that general election.
For an amendment to be ratified and become effective, it must be approved by either three-fifths of those voting on it or a majority of those voting in the election. This requirement applies to both citizen-initiated amendments and legislatively referred amendments. In the case of the latter, a 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Illinois General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
The Illinois Constitution requires that voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. The last time this measure was put to a vote was in 2008, and it failed with 67% voting against it.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the State of Illinois is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and current version adopted in 1970.
Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution requires that Illinois voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention.
A petition shall contain the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which the proposed amendment is to be submitted. It must be signed by petitioning electors no more than 24 months before the election and filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the election. If the petition is valid, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors and shall become effective if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election.
According to Article XVI, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Illinois General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Yes, 18 states, including Illinois, allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments. The number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment in Illinois is 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election. Initiated measures may only amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, which addresses the structure of the Illinois State Legislature.
