Omar Bennett
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois and has been amended 15 times since its adoption in 1970. It contains 14 articles that outline the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The Illinois Constitution includes items not included in the US Constitution, such as prohibiting discrimination based on sex or physical or mental handicaps. It also establishes rules for the state militia and public office holders, and provides procedures for recalling the governor. The current Illinois Constitution is the fourth version, with the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818 when Illinois became a state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 4 |
| Current Constitution | Adopted in 1970, referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or "1970 Constitution" |
| Number of Amendments | 15 |
| Last Amendment | November 8, 2022, Amendment 1 |
| Number of Articles | 14 |
| Items not in the US Constitution | Section 18, prohibiting discrimination based on sex; Section 19, prohibiting discrimination based on physical or mental handicaps |
| Voting Age | 18 |
| Voting Requirements | Resident of the state for 30 days |
| Election Rules | No political party can have a majority on the state board of elections |
| Recall of Governor | Requires a petition signed by at least 15% of total votes cast for Governor in the preceding election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties |
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What You'll Learn
The Illinois Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and current version, also known as the "1970 Constitution", adopted in 1970. This constitution has a preamble and 14 articles.
The preamble of the 1970 Constitution is as follows: "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 endeavors—in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain...".
The 14 articles of the 1970 Constitution cover a range of topics, including the division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches; voting qualifications, disqualifications, and other election rules; rules for the Illinois General Assembly; and the six state-elected offices, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer.
The Illinois Constitution also contains items not included in the United States Constitution, such as sections prohibiting discrimination based on sex or physical and mental handicaps. It sets rules for the state militia, establishes the governor as its commander-in-chief, and grants authority to use the militia to "enforce the laws, suppress insurrection or repel invasion."
The current Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times. Voters last approved a new amendment on November 8, 2022, with the addition of Amendment 1.
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It contains items not in the US Constitution
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the current version—referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution"—adopted in 1970.
The Illinois Constitution contains items not included in the US Constitution. For example, Section 18 of the Illinois Constitution prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 19 prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental handicaps.
The Illinois Constitution also outlines the division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and it describes voting qualifications, disqualifications, and other election rules. For instance, Section 1 stipulates that a person must be 18 years old and a resident of the state for 30 days to vote. Section 4 provides for the Illinois General Assembly to establish rules for elections, and Section 5 establishes rules for the state board of elections, requiring that no single political party has a majority on the board.
Additionally, the Illinois Constitution sets rules for the state militia. It establishes the governor as the commander-in-chief of the militia and grants the authority to use the militia to "enforce the laws, suppress insurrection, or repel invasion." The Illinois Constitution also establishes rules for persons holding public office, including a prohibition on reducing the pension benefits of public employees.
The Illinois Constitution has been amended multiple times since its adoption in 1970. Voters approved a new amendment as recently as November 8, 2022, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of the state's governing document.
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It has been amended 15 times since 1970
The Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times since its fourth version was ratified in 1970. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 8, 2022.
Illinois has had four state constitutions. The first was adopted in 1818 when Illinois became the 21st state. Constitutional revisions were subsequently ratified in 1848, 1870, and 1970. The current Illinois Constitution, also known as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or the "1970 Constitution," has a preamble and 14 articles.
The 1970 Constitution includes provisions that are not present in the United States Constitution, such as sections prohibiting discrimination based on sex and physical or mental handicaps. It also establishes rules for persons holding public office, including the governor, and sets rules for the state militia.
The Illinois Constitution outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. It describes the division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and provides rules for the Illinois General Assembly, which is divided into two bodies: the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives.
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It sets rules for the state militia
The Illinois Constitution is the governing document of the state of Illinois. There have been four Illinois Constitutions, with the fourth and current version being ratified in 1970 and going into effect on July 1, 1971.
The Illinois Constitution sets out rules for the state militia, which consists of "all able-bodied persons residing in the State except those exempted by law." The governor is the commander-in-chief of the militia and has the authority to use it to "enforce the laws, suppress insurrection or repel invasion." The militia is to be in strict subordination to civil power and is to be organised, equipped, and disciplined in conformity with the laws governing the armed forces of the United States.
The rules for the state militia in the Illinois Constitution reflect the state's history and the context of the time during which the constitution was drafted. The first Illinois Constitution was drafted in 1818, and the state, like the rest of the country, was still in the process of establishing its systems of government and governance. The state militia, as defined by the constitution, would have been a crucial component of maintaining order and security in the newly formed state.
The Illinois Constitution has been amended several times since its inception, reflecting the evolving nature of governance and the needs of the state. The current version of the constitution, ratified in 1970, includes provisions that grant home rule powers to larger municipalities and other units of local government. This reflects a shift towards decentralisation and a recognition of the unique needs of different areas within the state.
The state militia, as defined by the Illinois Constitution, serves as a reminder of the state's early history and the important role it played in maintaining order and security. While the specific rules governing the militia may have evolved, the underlying principle of maintaining a capable and accountable military force remains a key aspect of the state's governance.
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It establishes rules for persons holding public office
The Illinois Constitution establishes rules for persons holding public office. It sets out the rules for the state militia, establishing the governor as its commander-in-chief and granting them the authority to use the militia to "enforce the laws, suppress insurrection or repel invasion".
The Illinois Constitution also outlines the rules governing the six state-elected offices, including the Illinois Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. It establishes the procedures for recalling the governor, which include a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 15% of the total votes cast for the governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties.
Furthermore, the Illinois Constitution prohibits reducing the pension benefits of public employees. It also includes provisions not found in the US Constitution, such as prohibiting discrimination based on sex and physical or mental handicaps.
The Illinois Constitution has a strong focus on establishing clear rules and guidelines for those holding public office, with specific attention to the roles and responsibilities of the governor and other key state-elected officials. This contributes to the length of the document and distinguishes it from the US Constitution, which has a broader focus.
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Frequently asked questions
The Illinois Constitution is longer than the US Constitution because it is a state constitution and must therefore outline a comprehensive framework for state governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The Illinois Constitution covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Rules for the state militia
- Rules for persons holding public office
- Procedures for amending the constitution
- Division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches
- Voting qualifications, disqualifications, and other election rules
- Rules for the Illinois General Assembly
- Rules for the state board of elections
- Procedures to recall the governor
- Rules for the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives
- Searches, seizures, privacy, and interceptions
- Indictment and preliminary hearing
- Revenue and transportation funds
There have been four Illinois Constitutions, adopted in 1818, 1848, 1870, and 1970. The current Illinois Constitution (1970) has a preamble and 14 articles. It is unclear how long each document was, but the length of the Illinois Constitution may be due in part to the number of revisions and the addition of new articles over time.
The Illinois Constitution has been amended 15 times since its adoption in 1970. Voters recently approved a new amendment on November 8, 2022, known as Amendment 1. The frequent amendments to the Illinois Constitution may contribute to its length over time, as new provisions are added or revised.
