Jonah Patel
The Illinois Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1970. The state constitution outlines four mechanisms for amendments: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. Amendments can be proposed through petitions, which must be signed by at least 8% of voters from the previous gubernatorial election and address specific subjects within Article IV. The state legislature can also refer constitutional amendments to the ballot, requiring a 60% vote during one legislative session. Illinois is one of 14 states where voters are automatically asked about holding a constitutional convention every 20 years, with the last effort defeated in 2008. While the frequency of amendments varies across states, Illinois's constitution is typically amended once every three to four years, contributing to the approximately 7,000 total amendments across all 50 state constitutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Illinois Constitutions | 4 |
| Current Illinois Constitution | Constitution of Illinois of 1970 |
| Date of Ratification of Current Constitution | 15 December 1970 |
| Date Current Constitution Went into Effect | 1 July 1971 |
| Number of Times Illinois Constitution Has Been Amended | Not specified, but Illinois' constitution is amended on average once every 3-4 years |
| Number of Signatures Required for an Initiated Constitutional Amendment | Equal to 8% of votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election |
| Minimum Number of Votes Required in the Illinois House of Representatives to Place a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot | 71 |
| Minimum Number of Votes Required in the Illinois State Senate to Place a Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot | 36 |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois Constitution ratified in 1970
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, the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution", being ratified in 1970. The 1970 Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles.
The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which led to the creation of the 1970 Constitution, convened on December 8, 1969, and concluded on September 3, 1970. The constitution was then ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971. However, some provisions, such as the change in the dates for the election of constitutional officers, did not take effect for several years.
The 1970 Constitution includes important features such as the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. The bill of rights within the 1970 Constitution contains similar provisions to the United States Bill of Rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. It also includes items not included in the United States Constitution, such as Section 18, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 19, which prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental handicaps.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. Amendments to the constitution must be approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election.
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Illinois Constitution amended after 1970
The Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times since the current version, the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970", was adopted. The fourth version of the Illinois Constitution was ratified by special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. 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. All amendments must be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment itself.
Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution is titled "Constitutional Revision" and sets up procedures to amend the constitution. It requires that Illinois voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. In 1988 and 2008, the measure was put to a vote but failed on both occasions.
The most recent amendment to the Illinois Constitution was approved by voters on November 8, 2022, when voters approved Amendment 1.
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Constitutional conventions
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution, one of which is a constitutional convention. According to Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1918. Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
A constitutional convention question can also be placed before the state's voters if 60% of the members of both houses of the Illinois General Assembly vote in the affirmative. If such a question does appear on the ballot, it must be affirmed by a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the question or a majority of those who cast a ballot for any office in that election.
In 1862, a constitutional convention was held, but the changes known as the "Copperhead Constitution" were not ratified by the voters. Thomas J. Turner and Tazewell B. Tanner were delegates to another constitutional convention held in 1863. A constitutional convention was held in 1920, but in 1922 the changes were rejected by voters. The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which took place from December 8, 1969, to September 3, 1970, resulted in the fourth version of the Illinois Constitution, which was ratified by special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971.
In 1988 and 2008, there were efforts by citizens to support a convention, but the measures were defeated by wide margins.
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Constitutional Revision Commission
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 constitution is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution".
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, a citizen-initiated process, and a convention-referred constitutional amendment. The constitution has been amended several times since 1970, with the most recent amendment being adopted in 2016.
Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution is titled "Constitutional Revision" and outlines the procedures for amending the constitution. It requires that Illinois voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. If a constitutional convention is called, amendments can be proposed and submitted by a petition signed by at least 8% of the total votes cast for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election. Amendments must be limited to structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV of the Constitution. The 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 the petitioning electors no more than 24 months before the general 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 the general election and will become effective if approved by a majority of those voting in the election.
The legislative process for amending the constitution involves the General Assembly, which can propose amendments by a vote of three-fifths of the members of each house. These amendments must be published and explained to the electors at least one month before the vote and must be submitted to the electors at the next general election, unless withdrawn by a majority vote of the members of each house. The amendments will become effective if approved by a majority of those voting in the election.
The citizen-initiated process allows citizens to initiate constitutional amendments directly. In Illinois, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 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 state legislature. All amendments must be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment.
A convention-referred constitutional amendment can be placed before the state's voters if 60% of the members of both houses of the General Assembly vote in favour. If this occurs, the proposed amendment must be approved by a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those who cast a ballot in the election.
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State constitutional conventions
The State of Illinois has had four constitutions, with the fourth and current version—the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution"—adopted in 1970. This constitution has been amended multiple times since 1970.
Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1918. This question can also be placed before the voters if 60% of the members of both houses of the Illinois General Assembly vote in favour. If the question appears on the ballot, it must be approved by a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the question or a majority of those who cast a ballot in that election.
Illinois has held several constitutional conventions over the years, including:
- The Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1818: This was the first constitutional convention held in Illinois after statehood was approved by the U.S. Congress on April 18, 1818. An election for delegates to this convention was scheduled for July 6, 1818. The main topics of discussion were whether it was sensible to have a constitution at that time and, if so, how to form it and select appropriate representatives.
- 1862 Constitutional Convention: The changes proposed at this convention, known as the "Copperhead Constitution," were not ratified by the voters.
- 1863 Constitutional Convention: Thomas J. Turner and Tazewell B. Tanner were delegates to this convention.
- 1920 Constitutional Convention: The changes proposed at this convention were rejected by voters in 1922.
- Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention: This convention took place from December 8, 1969, to September 3, 1970, and resulted in the fourth version of the Illinois Constitution. This constitution was ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and went into effect on July 1, 1971.
There have also been efforts by citizens to support constitutional conventions in 1988 and 2008, but these measures were defeated by wide margins in the votes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Illinois Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1970. However, the exact number of amendments is unclear.
The Illinois Constitution is amended only once every three to four years on average.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, a citizen-initiated process, and a convention-referred constitutional amendment.
Citizens can initiate constitutional amendments through a ballot measure known as an initiated constitutional amendment. This requires a petition signed by at least 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election. The amendment must then be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment.
According to Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention automatically appears on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1918. Illinois is one of 14 states with this provision.
