Simone Lawson
The Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times since its adoption in 1970. State constitutions are amended regularly, with the current constitutions of the 50 states having been amended around 7,000 times combined. The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amendments: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. Amendments can be proposed by a petition with signatures from at least 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous election, and they must pertain to Article IV, which covers the structure of the Illinois State Legislature. These amendments are then approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times the Illinois Constitution has been amended | 15 |
| Number of Illinois Constitutions | 4 |
| Frequency of amendments | Once every three to four years on average |
| Last amended | November 8, 2022 |
| Next possible amendment | 2028 (asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention) |
| Amendment process | Constitutional convention, legislative process, citizen-initiated process |
| Minimum approval required for amendment | Three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Illinois Constitution ratified in 1970
The Illinois Constitution of 1970, also known as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution", is the fourth and current version of the state's constitution. It was ratified by a special election on December 15, 1970, and came into effect on July 1, 1971, though some provisions took several years to be implemented. The constitution has a preamble and 14 articles.
The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which created this version of the constitution, convened on December 8, 1969, and concluded on September 3, 1970. The constitution includes provisions similar to those in the United States Bill of Rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. It also includes unique provisions, such as Section 18, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 19, which prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental handicaps.
The 1970 Constitution introduced home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. It also outlines the division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and describes voting qualifications, disqualifications, and other election rules. For example, Section 1 stipulates that voters must be 18 years old and residents of the state for 30 days, while Section 5 establishes rules for the state board of elections, requiring that no single political party holds a majority.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the document: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. A constitutional convention question is automatically presented to Illinois voters every 20 years, with the next one due in 2028. Amendments can also be proposed by the state legislature, with a 60% vote required during one legislative session for the Illinois General Assembly to place an amendment on the ballot. Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments are also permitted in Illinois, with an initiated measure requiring signatures from 8% of voters who participated in the previous gubernatorial election. However, these citizen-initiated amendments can only amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, which pertains to the structure of the Illinois State Legislature. All amendments must be approved by either a majority of voters in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the specific amendment.
Constitutional Amendments: Gilded Age Changes
You may want to see also
Illinois Constitution amended 15 times
The Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times. The state has had four constitutions, with the fourth and current version adopted in 1970. This 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, and a citizen-initiated process. An example of the latter is an initiated constitutional amendment, which is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. In Illinois, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment must be equal to 8% of the votes cast for the governor in the previous gubernatorial election. Amendments must be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment itself.
Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the ballot every 20 years, with the first one in 1918. 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 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 for any office in that election.
The most recent amendment to the Illinois Constitution was approved by voters on November 8, 2022, when voters approved Amendment 1.
Amendments: Universal Rights and Citizen Freedoms
You may want to see also
Illinois Constitution: four versions
The State of Illinois has had four constitutions, with the fourth and current version—referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the “1970 Constitution”—adopted in 1970 and amended multiple times since.
The first Illinois Constitution was drafted in 1818 after Illinois was approved for statehood. Only white male U.S. citizens who had resided in the Illinois Territory for at least six months prior to the election, or who were otherwise qualified to vote, were permitted to vote. The main topics of the election were whether it was sensible to have a constitution at that time and, if so, how to form it and select appropriate representatives to frame it. Succeeding constitutions were ratified in 1848 and 1870, before the current constitution was ratified in 1970 and took effect on July 1, 1971.
The 1970 Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles. Important features of this constitution include the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. It also contains a bill of rights, which includes provisions similar to the United States Bill of Rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. The Illinois Bill of Rights also contains provisions not included in the United States Constitution, such as the prohibition of discrimination based on sex.
Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the ballot every 20 years, starting in 1918. 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 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 for any office in that election.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. An example of the latter is that amendments to Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, which addresses the structure of the Illinois State Legislature, may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 8% of the total votes cast for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election. Amendments are limited to structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV and must be filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the general election. If approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors at the general election and become effective.
Amendments: Our Constitution's Living Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Illinois Constitution: citizen-initiated amendments
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 has been amended 15 times, with the latest amendment approved by voters on November 8, 2022.
State constitutions are much easier to modify than the federal Constitution, and they are amended regularly. The current constitutions of the 50 states have been amended around 7,000 times. However, the frequency of amendments varies from state to state. For example, the constitutions of Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and California are amended more than three to four times per year, on average. On the other hand, the constitutions of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Vermont are 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, and a citizen-initiated process. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments, and Illinois is one of them.
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. Initiated measures in Illinois can only amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution, which addresses the structure of the Illinois 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 itself.
The process for initiating a constitutional amendment in Illinois is outlined in Article XIV of the state's constitution, which is titled "Constitutional Revision." This article also requires that Illinois 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.
Constitutional Amendments: Why Bother?
You may want to see also
Illinois Constitution: constitutional conventions
The Illinois Constitution has been amended several times since its inception, with four distinct versions existing to date. The current and latest version, the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution," was ratified in 1970 and took effect on July 1, 1971. However, it has also undergone amendments since its adoption.
Illinois is one of 14 states that automatically puts the question of holding a constitutional convention to voters every 20 years, with the first instance of this occurring in 1918. This process allows citizens to decide if they desire a constitutional convention to amend or replace the existing constitution. The state also allows for a constitutional convention to be called if 60% of the members of both houses of the Illinois General Assembly vote in favour of it. This question must then be approved by a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the issue or a majority of those who cast a ballot in that election.
Despite the frequency of these votes, constitutional conventions are not often approved in Illinois. In 1988, the measure failed with 900,109 votes for and 2,727,144 against. A similar attempt in 2008 was also defeated, with 1,493,203 votes for and 3,062,724 against.
Illinois has a history of constitutional conventions, with several occurring over the years. The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention, which took place from December 8, 1969, to September 3, 1970, resulted in the current version of the constitution. Previous conventions were held in 1862, 1863, and 1920, with varying levels of success. The 1862 convention's proposed changes were rejected by voters, becoming known as the "Copperhead Constitution." The 1920 convention's changes were also rejected by voters in 1922.
The state constitution provides four mechanisms for amendments: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process. The latter, known as an initiated constitutional amendment, requires signatures equal to 8% of votes cast for the governor in the previous election and can only amend Article IV, addressing the structure of the Illinois State Legislature. Amendments must be approved by either a majority of those voting in the election or three-fifths of those voting on the amendment itself.
MN Constitutional Amendment Vote Outcome
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The current Illinois Constitution, adopted in 1970, has been amended 15 times.
On average, the Illinois Constitution is amended once every three to four years.
The Illinois Constitution provides four mechanisms for amending the state constitution: a constitutional convention, a legislative process, and a citizen-initiated process.
A constitutional convention is a meeting called to revise or adopt amendments to the constitution. In Illinois, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention appears on the state's ballot every 20 years.
Citizens can initiate a constitutional amendment by gathering signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election. The proposed amendment is then submitted to the electors at the general election and must be approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election.
