Jonah Patel
The state of Illinois has had four constitutions. The first was drafted in 1818, the same year Illinois became a state. The second was adopted in 1848, followed by the third in 1870. The fourth and current Illinois Constitution was ratified in 1970 and went into effect in 1971.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 4 |
| First Constitution | 1818 |
| Second Constitution | 1848 |
| Third Constitution | 1870 |
| Fourth Constitution | 1970 or 1971 |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois has had four constitutions
The second constitution was adopted on May 18, 1870, and ratified by the people of Illinois on July 2 of the same year.
The third constitution was proposed in 1922 but was not ratified.
The fourth and current Illinois Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971. It includes a preamble and 14 articles, with important features such as the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. The 1970 Constitution has been amended 15 times, with the most recent amendment being approved by voters on November 8, 2022.
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The first was in 1818
Illinois has had four constitutions, with the first being adopted in 1818. This was made possible by the Enabling Act, which was signed into law by President James Monroe on April 18, 1818. The Act outlined the requirements for Illinois to become a state, one of which was the creation of a state constitution. Following this, an election was held on July 6, 1818, to choose delegates for a state constitutional convention.
The delegates, including 24-year-old Elias Kent Kane, who was the acknowledged leader of the convention, met in the territorial capital of Kaskaskia on August 3, 1818, to start drafting the constitution. The 1818 Constitution, which was modelled after the constitutions of New York, Kentucky, and Ohio, consisted of eight articles. It was a liberal document that granted all white males who had lived in the state for at least six months the right to vote, without any property restrictions or citizenship requirements. It also set aside land in every township for schools and significantly limited the governor's powers.
The delegates approved the 1818 Constitution on August 26, 1818, and it became operative when Illinois was admitted to the Union as a state. Despite opposition from some members of Congress, who believed the Constitution did not sufficiently address slavery, Illinois statehood was approved by both the House and the Senate, and President Monroe signed the legislation on December 3, 1818.
The second and third Illinois Constitutions were adopted in 1848 and 1870, respectively. The fourth and current Illinois Constitution was ratified in 1970 and took effect on July 1, 1971. It is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or simply the "1970 Constitution."
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The fourth was ratified in 1970
Illinois has had four constitutions, with the fourth version, also known as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution", being ratified in 1970.
The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which took place between December 8, 1969, and September 3, 1970, led to the creation of the fourth Illinois Constitution. This constitution was then ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and came into effect on July 1, 1971.
The fourth Illinois Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles. The preamble expresses gratitude to Almighty God for civil, political, and religious liberties, and it seeks His blessing in maintaining health, safety, and welfare for the people. This constitution also includes provisions for the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government.
Illinois has a unique process where voters are asked at least once every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. This process ensures that the state's constitution remains responsive to the changing needs and preferences of its citizens. The first Illinois Constitution was drafted in 1818, with subsequent constitutions being adopted in 1848 and 1870. While the 1970 Constitution has been amended multiple times since its ratification, it remains the foundational document governing the state of Illinois.
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The fourth constitution has 14 articles
Illinois has had four state constitutions, with the fourth and current version being adopted in 1970 and going into effect on July 1, 1971. This constitution is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution".
> We, the People of the State of Illinois—grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavours—in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defence; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity—do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.
The fourth constitution includes provisions for the state's legal system, including rules for the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, and the circuit or trial courts. It also provides rules for local governments and their ability to pass ordinances, as well as rules for financial matters such as budgeting, spending, and taxation.
Additionally, the fourth constitution establishes the goal of free schooling through secondary education and creates a state board of education. It also grants each person the right to a healthful environment and sets rules for the state militia, with the governor as the commander-in-chief.
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The fourth constitution has been amended 15 times
Illinois has had four constitutions in its history. The first was approved on August 26, 1818, and became operative when Congress approved statehood on December 3, 1818. The fourth and current constitution was adopted in 1970 and has been amended 15 times since.
The fourth constitution was drafted by the Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which convened on December 8, 1969, and concluded on September 3, 1970. It was ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971. The constitution is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution".
The 1970 Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles. It includes important features such as the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. It also sets out rules for the state's court system, including the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, and the circuit or trial courts.
The current Illinois Constitution was last amended on November 8, 2022, when voters approved Amendment 1. This demonstrates the ongoing process of constitutional reform in Illinois, as the document continues to be updated to meet the changing needs and values of the state and its people.
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Frequently asked questions
Illinois has had four constitutions in total, in the years 1818, 1848, 1870, and 1970.
The first Illinois Constitution came into effect on August 26, 1818, after President James Monroe signed the legislation known as the Enabling Act, which outlined the requirements for Illinois to become a state.
The 1818 Constitution was considered very liberal at the time, granting all white males who had lived in the state for six months the right to vote, regardless of their citizenship status or property ownership. It also significantly limited the governor's powers and set aside land in each township for schools.
The second Illinois Constitution was drafted in 1848, 30 years after the first. Unfortunately, I couldn't find specific information about the circumstances that led to the creation of this constitution.
The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which took place from December 8, 1969, to September 3, 1970, resulted in the fourth and current Illinois Constitution. This version was ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971.
