Jonah Patel
The Constitution of Illinois is the governing document of the State of Illinois, and there have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth version adopted in 1970. Amendments to the Illinois Constitution can be initiated in either house of the General Assembly and require an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house. If approved by three-fifths of both the Senate and House, the proposed amendment is referred to the ballot for voter consideration during the next statewide election. Amendments can also be proposed by a Convention, which occurs when Illinois voters are asked if they desire a constitutional convention at least every 20 years. Any proposed amendments must be published with explanations at least one month before the election, and they become effective if approved by a majority of those voting on the question.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 4 |
| Current Constitution | Constitution of Illinois of 1970 |
| Date of Current Constitution | 1970 |
| Amendments | May be initiated in either house of the General Assembly |
| Shall be read in full on three different days in each house and reproduced before the vote is taken on final passage | |
| Shall be published with explanations at least one month before the vote | |
| Shall be voted on a separate ballot | |
| Shall become effective if approved by a majority of those voting on the question | |
| Shall be limited to structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV | |
| Shall be submitted to the electors at the general election occurring at least six months after legislative approval | |
| Shall become effective if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or a majority of those voting in the election | |
| Shall not be proposed or submitted to more than three Articles of the Constitution at any one election | |
| Constitutional Conventions | Illinois voters must be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Amendments by the General Assembly
Amendments to the Illinois Constitution may be initiated in either house of the General Assembly. Amendments must be read in full on three different days in each house and reproduced before the vote is taken on final passage.
The Illinois Constitution requires that Illinois voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. Amendments approved by a majority of the delegates elected shall be submitted to the electors in such a manner as the Convention determines, at an election designated or called by the Convention occurring not less than two nor more than six months after the Convention's adjournment.
Any revision or amendments proposed by the Convention shall be published with explanations, as the Convention provides, at least one month preceding the election. The vote on the proposed revision or amendments shall be on a separate ballot. Any proposed revision or amendments shall become effective if approved by a majority of those voting on the question.
Amendments approved by the vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house shall be submitted to the electors at the general election next occurring at least six months after such legislative approval, unless withdrawn by a majority of the members elected to each house. Amendments proposed by the General Assembly shall be published with explanations, as provided by law, at least one month preceding the vote by the electors. The vote on the proposed amendment or amendments shall be on a separate ballot. A proposed amendment shall become effective if approved by either three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election.
The General Assembly shall not submit proposed amendments to more than three Articles of the Constitution at any one election.
Arizona's Constitution: Amendments Face a Tough Road
You may want to see also
Ratification by voters
First, it is important to understand that amendments to the Illinois Constitution can be proposed and initiated in either house of the General Assembly, as outlined in Section 2 of Article XIV. Any proposed amendments must be read in full on three separate days in each house and reproduced before the final vote is taken. This ensures that legislators and the public have ample opportunity to review and discuss the proposed changes.
Once an amendment is approved by a majority of delegates in the General Assembly, it is then submitted to the electors for their consideration. The process and timing of this submission are determined by the Convention, with the election occurring between two and six months after the Convention's adjournment. This step ensures that the proposed amendment is presented directly to the voters of Illinois for their input and decision.
Before the election, the proposed amendment must be published and explained to the voters in advance. This is a critical aspect of the process, as it provides transparency and ensures that voters have access to information about the potential changes to their constitution. The publication of the amendment must occur at least one month before the election, allowing voters time to review and make an informed decision.
During the election, the vote on the proposed amendment is conducted on a separate ballot, ensuring a focused and dedicated process. The amendment will only become effective if it is approved by a majority of those voting on the specific question of the amendment. This majority approval requirement highlights the importance of voter engagement and participation in the ratification process.
In addition to the standard process outlined above, there are specific requirements for amending the United States Constitution, as described in Article XIV, Section 2. To request a Federal Constitutional Convention or to ratify a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution, an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly is needed. This supermajority requirement underscores the significance of constitutional amendments at the federal level.
Illinois has a comprehensive process for ratifying constitutional amendments, ensuring that any changes to the governing document reflect the will of the people. By involving the General Assembly and directly engaging voters through elections, the state promotes democratic participation and consensus-building in the amendment ratification process.
Alabama's Second Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms
You may want to see also
Supermajority requirements
The Illinois Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1970. Amendments to the Illinois Constitution can be initiated in either house of the General Assembly and must be read in full on three separate days in each house before a vote is taken.
To pass a constitutional amendment in Illinois, a supermajority of three-fifths (60%) in both the state Senate and House is required to refer the amendment to the ballot for voter consideration. This means that the amendment must be approved by at least 60% of the members in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. Once an amendment passes this threshold in both chambers, it is then referred to the ballot for statewide voter consideration during the next general election.
The specific number of votes required to reach the supermajority threshold can vary depending on the total number of seats in each chamber. For example, in 2019, the Illinois State Senate had 59 total seats, so a supermajority would require at least 36 votes. In the same year, the Illinois House of Representatives had 118 total seats, so a supermajority would require at least 71 votes.
It is important to note that the supermajority requirement only applies to referring the amendment to the ballot. Once an amendment is on the ballot, it can become effective through one of two methods. The first method is through a majority of those voting in the election, regardless of voter turnout. The second method is by receiving approval from three-fifths of those voting on the amendment, which is a lower threshold than the supermajority requirement for referring the amendment to the ballot.
Arizona's Constitution: A Living, Breathing Document
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$27.58 $47
Constitutional conventions
The Constitution of Illinois requires that Illinois voters are asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. This is also known as a Federal Constitutional Convention.
In 1988, voters rejected the measure with 900,109 votes for and 2,727,144 against. In 2008, there was another effort by citizens to support a convention, but this was also defeated by a wide margin: 1,493,203 votes for and 3,062,724 against.
To pass a constitutional amendment in Illinois, an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly is required to request a Federal Constitutional Convention. If three-fifths of both the Senate and House approve the amendment, the question of whether to change the constitution is put before voters during the next statewide election. Amendments proposed by the General Assembly must be published with explanations at least one month before the vote, and they must be on a separate ballot. A proposed amendment becomes effective if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election.
Understanding Amendment XI: Judicial Power and Limits
You may want to see also
Procedural and structural limits
The Illinois Constitution outlines the procedures and limits for amending the constitution. Amendments are limited to structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV. The process for amending the constitution can be initiated in either house of the General Assembly, with amendments read in full on three different days in each house and reproduced before the vote is taken on final passage.
To pass a constitutional amendment in Illinois, there are specific procedural and structural limits that must be followed. Firstly, the proposed amendment must be submitted to the electors, with the specific timing outlined in Article XIV, Section 3. The amendment shall be submitted at the general election occurring at least six months after legislative approval, unless withdrawn by a majority vote in each house. This ensures that there is sufficient time for consideration and review before the vote.
The petition process is another important aspect of the procedural limits. A petition must include the text of the proposed amendment and the date of the general election at which it will be submitted. It must be signed by the petitioning electors within a specific timeframe—not more than twenty-four months preceding the election—and filed with the Secretary of State at least six months before the election. The validity and sufficiency of petitions are determined by law, and if deemed valid, the proposed amendment is submitted to the electors.
Additionally, there are limits on the number of amendments that can be proposed or submitted at any one election. The General Assembly cannot submit proposed amendments to more than three Articles of the Constitution simultaneously. This provision ensures that amendments are considered comprehensively and that no single election overwhelmingly alters the constitution.
In terms of structural limits, the Illinois Constitution requires that amendments receive substantial support in the General Assembly before being referred to the ballot for voter consideration. A supermajority of 60% in each chamber is necessary to pass a constitutional amendment. This threshold ensures that amendments have broad support and are not enacted along purely partisan lines.
Furthermore, the Illinois Constitution mandates that voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention. This provision allows for periodic reviews and potential revisions to the constitution, providing a mechanism for more significant changes beyond individual amendments.
Gregory Watson's Favorite Amendment: The Constitutional Change He Wanted
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Amendments can be initiated in either house of the General Assembly, where they must be read in full on three separate days and reproduced before the vote is taken. If three-fifths of both the Senate and the House approve, the amendment is put before voters during the next statewide election. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment is passed.
Illinois voters must be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention.
An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly is required to request Congress to call a Federal Constitutional Convention.
An election for delegates to a state constitutional convention is held. Any proposed revisions or amendments are then approved by a majority of the delegates and submitted to the electors.
An amendment is a change to the existing constitution, whereas a convention is a gathering to propose and approve a new constitution.
