Eleanor Finch
Illinois has had four constitutions, ratified in 1818, 1848, 1870 and 1970. The 1818 constitution was drafted by 33 delegates in Kaskaskia, the territorial capital, and was modelled on the state constitutions of New York, Kentucky and Ohio. The 1870 constitution was adopted in convention in Springfield on May 13, 1870, and ratified by the people on July 2, 1870.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 2nd July 1870 |
| Date of adoption | 13th May 1870 |
| Date of enforcement | 8th August 1870 |
| Date of amendment | 1877 or 1878 |
| Date of previous ratification | 1848 |
| Date of first ratification | 1818 |
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What You'll Learn
The Illinois Constitution of 1870
Illinois ratified its constitution on 2 July 1870, with it coming into force on 8 August 1870. This was the third version of the Illinois Constitution, following the first in 1818 and the second in 1848. The 1870 Constitution was drafted in a convention in Springfield, which began on 13 May 1870. It was amended in 1877 or 1878.
The 1870 Constitution was drafted in the wake of the American Civil War, which had ended just five years earlier. The war had been fought over the issue of slavery, and the Constitution's framers were keen to ensure that slavery would never be legalised in Illinois. The Constitution's preamble states that the people of Illinois are:
> grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavours to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations.
The Constitution's framers also sought to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity.
The 1870 Constitution was modelled on the state constitutions of New York, Kentucky and Ohio. It consisted of eight articles, and was drafted by 33 delegates, presided over by Judge Jesse Thomas. The acknowledged leader of the convention, however, was 24-year-old Elias Kent Kane, a New York-born attorney and Illinois' first Secretary of State.
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The Illinois Constitution of 1848
Illinois ratified its constitution in 1818, 1848, 1870 and 1970. The Illinois Constitution of 1848 was the second version of the state's constitution. It was adopted by convention on 31 August 1847, ratified by popular vote on 6 March 1848 and came into force on 1 April 1848. The 1848 Constitution established a rural judicial system, which quickly became inadequate due to growth. It also established a Supreme Court of three judges, with two of the three constituting a quorum. Election was by popular vote, with one judge of three elected from each of the state's divisions (Northern, Central and Southern) for a nine-year term. The Supreme Court had original jurisdiction in cases of revenue, mandamus, habeas corpus, and impeachment, and appellate jurisdiction in all other cases. It was to convene once annually in each division. The 1848 Constitution remained in effect until it was replaced with the third state Constitution in 1870.
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The Illinois Constitution of 1970
Illinois ratified its constitution on 2 July 1870. This was the third version of the state's constitution, following the first in 1818 and the second in 1848. The 1870 constitution was amended in 1877 or 1878, and further versions were created due to amendments between 1879 and 1970. The fourth and most recent version of the Illinois Constitution was ratified in 1970.
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The Illinois Constitution of 1818
Illinois ratified its constitution on 2nd July 1870. This was the third version of the Illinois Constitution, succeeding the 1848 and 1818 versions. The 1818 Illinois Constitution was drafted by 33 delegates who met in the territorial capital of Kaskaskia on 3rd August 1818. The convention was led by 24-year-old Yale graduate Elias Kent Kane, who later became Illinois' first Secretary of State and a United States Senator. The 1818 Constitution was modelled after the state constitutions of New York, Kentucky and Ohio and consisted of eight articles.
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The Enabling Act
On 13 May 1870, the third Illinois Constitution was adopted in convention at Springfield. It was ratified by the people on 2 July 1870 and came into force on 8 August 1870. This was the third of four Illinois Constitutions, succeeding the 1848 and 1818 Constitutions.
The 1818 Constitution was drafted following the Enabling Act, which was signed by President James Monroe on 18 April 1818. The Enabling Act laid out the requirements for Illinois to become a state, including the passing of a state Constitution. Following elections in July 1818, 33 delegates met in the territorial capital of Kaskaskia on 3 August 1818 to begin drafting a state Constitution. The 1818 Constitution was modelled after the state constitutions of New York, Kentucky and Ohio. It consisted of eight articles and was approved by delegates on 26 August 1818.
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Frequently asked questions
Illinois ratified its constitution on 2nd July 1870.
There have been four Illinois Constitutions.
The first Illinois Constitution was ratified on 26th August 1818.
The most recent Illinois Constitution was ratified in 1970.
