1. Illinois Constitution and Government

2. History Before European Settlers Cahokia was first settled around 650 AD Cahokia was first settled around 650 AD Mound building began around 1050 AD Mound building began around 1050 AD Community died out around 1400 AD Community died out around 1400 AD Information about this early community is very limited Information about this early community is very limited

3. Europeans Enter Illinois In 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet travel the Illinois River In 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet travel the Illinois River Thus, making Illinois a French territory until 1763 when it passed to Britain Thus, making Illinois a French territory until 1763 when it passed to Britain Fort St. Louis  Starved Rock (1682) 1778: End of foreign rule. Illinois is established as a county of Virginia 1778: End of foreign rule. Illinois is established as a county of Virginia Illinois became part of the Northwest Territory in 1783 Illinois became part of the Northwest Territory in 1783

4. Road to Statehood 1800: Illinois became part of the territory of Indiana 1800: Illinois became part of the territory of Indiana Illinois became its own territory on February 3, 1809 Illinois became its own territory on February 3, 1809 In 1818, Illinois became the 21 st State In 1818, Illinois became the 21 st State Kaskaskia became the state capital and Shadrach Bond became first governor Kaskaskia became the state capital and Shadrach Bond became first governor In 1819, the capital moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia In 1819, the capital moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia In 1839, the capital moved to Springfield after an urging from Abraham Lincoln In 1839, the capital moved to Springfield after an urging from Abraham Lincoln

5. Civil War Illinois The 16 th President of the US was Abraham Lincoln from Illinois The 16 th President of the US was Abraham Lincoln from Illinois FUN FACT: Lincoln originally ran for senator and lost to slavery advocate Stephen A. Douglas. Over 250,000 Illinois men served in the Union Army Over 250,000 Illinois men served in the Union Army This number of troops ranked them 4 th in terms of troops This number of troops ranked them 4 th in terms of troops Ulysses S. Grant was also from Illinois Ulysses S. Grant was also from Illinois

6. Post-Civil War Agriculture grew dramatically in Illinois following John Deere’s discovery of the prairie plow in 1837 Agriculture grew dramatically in Illinois following John Deere’s discovery of the prairie plow in 1837 By the late 19 th century coal became a huge enterprise in Illinois By the late 19 th century coal became a huge enterprise in Illinois 1809: 35,000 residents 1809: 35,000 residents 1850: 850,000 residents 1850: 850,000 residents 1870: 2.2 million residents 1870: 2.2 million residents Today, there are over 12 million residents in Illinois Today, there are over 12 million residents in Illinois

7. History of Illinois Constitution First Constitution of the State was drafted in 1818 First Constitution of the State was drafted in 1818 At that time there were 15 counties and most of the population was in southern Illinois At that time there were 15 counties and most of the population was in southern Illinois This Constitution was approved by the US Congress allowing for Illinois to be made a state This Constitution was approved by the US Congress allowing for Illinois to be made a state Did not outlaw slavery already in the state, but new slaves could not enter Did not outlaw slavery already in the state, but new slaves could not enter

8. 1848 Constitution Gave the citizens of Illinois more power to the people Gave the citizens of Illinois more power to the people Positions that were appointed were not available for people to run for Positions that were appointed were not available for people to run for

9. 1870 Constitution This Constitution was approved in 1870 and lasted as the State’s Constitution for over 100 years This Constitution was approved in 1870 and lasted as the State’s Constitution for over 100 years Was changed because it became outdated Was changed because it became outdated

10. 1970 Constitution Called because the 1870 Constitution was considered outdated Called because the 1870 Constitution was considered outdated Constitution went into force on July 1, 1971 Constitution went into force on July 1, 1971 New Constitution gave greater protection to individual rights, modernized government at all levels and improved the revenue tax system New Constitution gave greater protection to individual rights, modernized government at all levels and improved the revenue tax system

11. Preamble “We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.” (1870) “We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.” (1870) “We, the people of the State of Illinois…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois” (1970) “We, the people of the State of Illinois…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois” (1970)

12. Articles of the Constitution Article I: Bill of Rights Article I: Bill of Rights Article II: Power of the State Article II: Power of the State Article III: Suffrage and Elections Article III: Suffrage and Elections Article IV: The Legislature Article IV: The Legislature Article V: The Executive Article V: The Executive Article VI: The Judiciary Article VI: The Judiciary Article VII: Local Government Article VII: Local Government Article VIII: Finance Article VIII: Finance Article IX: Revenue Article IX: Revenue Article X: Education Article X: Education Article XI: Environment Article XI: Environment Article XII: Militia Article XII: Militia Article XIII: General Provisions Article XIII: General Provisions Article XIV: Revision, Schedules, Misc. Article XIV: Revision, Schedules, Misc.

13. Legislative Branch Makes the laws for the State of Illinois Makes the laws for the State of Illinois Meets on the second Wednesday of January and concludes when the work is completed for the year Meets on the second Wednesday of January and concludes when the work is completed for the year Main body of legislatures is called the General Assembly Main body of legislatures is called the General Assembly Members must be 21 years old and you make around $60,000 Members must be 21 years old and you make around $60,000

14. Illinois Senators There are 59 Senatorial Districts in Illinois There are 59 Senatorial Districts in Illinois Thus, 59 Senators Thus, 59 Senators Senators are elected to four year terms Senators are elected to four year terms Special powers are: tries impeachment cases, and approve appointments made by the Governor Special powers are: tries impeachment cases, and approve appointments made by the Governor

15. Illinois House of Representatives There are 118 State Representatives There are 118 State Representatives Elected to two year terms Elected to two year terms Have the power to start impeachment proceedings Have the power to start impeachment proceedings

16. Executive Branch Chief role is to enforce and administer the laws as well as veto/approve bills Chief role is to enforce and administer the laws as well as veto/approve bills Appoint members of the state gov’t Grant pardons Call special sessions Governor is the leader of the Executive Branch Governor is the leader of the Executive Branch Order of succession: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer Order of succession: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer

17. Governor Must be at least 25 years old and resident of the state for at least three years preceding election Must be at least 25 years old and resident of the state for at least three years preceding election Earns about $150+ a year Earns about $150+ a year Elected to a term of 4 years Elected to a term of 4 years

18. Judicial Branch Chief role is to administer justice and interpret laws Chief role is to administer justice and interpret laws Circuit Courts: general trial courts (judges are elected by voters) Circuit Courts: general trial courts (judges are elected by voters) Appellate Court: Hears appeals by Circuit Courts Appellate Court: Hears appeals by Circuit Courts Supreme Court: final court of appeal for all state matters Supreme Court: final court of appeal for all state matters There are seven justices that serve 10 year terms (Supreme) There are seven justices that serve 10 year terms (Supreme)

19. VOTE! Voting is our responsibility as a citizen of this State and Country Voting is our responsibility as a citizen of this State and Country Stay informed on the issues! Stay informed on the issues! People 18 years old are able to vote People 18 years old are able to vote

20. Primaries Primaries: elections held before the General Election in which party members select a candidate of their party to represent them Primaries: elections held before the General Election in which party members select a candidate of their party to represent them The winners of the primary elections face each other in the General Election The winners of the primary elections face each other in the General Election

21. General Elections General Elections are biennial—take place every two years on even numbered years General Elections are biennial—take place every two years on even numbered years Always take place on Tuesday following the first Monday of November in even numbered years Always take place on Tuesday following the first Monday of November in even numbered years

22. Voting… Absentee ballots: given to those who are not able to vote at the polling station Absentee ballots: given to those who are not able to vote at the polling station Voters must be 18 years old on election day Voters must be 18 years old on election day Voter has to live in the voting district for 30 days Voter has to live in the voting district for 30 days Voter must be a citizen Voter must be a citizen Must be registered with the local election district at least 28 days before the election Must be registered with the local election district at least 28 days before the election

23. Municipality Municipality: created upon the request of or with the consent of residents to provide for services like sewer/street/health/welfare systems Municipality: created upon the request of or with the consent of residents to provide for services like sewer/street/health/welfare systems There are more municipalities in Illinois than in any other state There are more municipalities in Illinois than in any other state Organized: mayor/council, trustee village, strong mayor, commission, council-manager Organized: mayor/council, trustee village, strong mayor, commission, council-manager

24. Structure Mayor: chief executive officer of the city and enforces all laws and appoints some city officers with council approval Mayor: chief executive officer of the city and enforces all laws and appoints some city officers with council approval Trustee Village: six trustees and a village president Trustee Village: six trustees and a village president

25. Taxes Sales Tax: tax on sale of goods and provide over half of the income for the state Sales Tax: tax on sale of goods and provide over half of the income for the state Income Tax: tax on personal income Income Tax: tax on personal income Property Tax: tax on property Property Tax: tax on property

26. Counties There are 102 counties in Illinois There are 102 counties in Illinois Enforce laws, prosecute offenders, build and maintain roads, keep records, conduct elections, assess property Enforce laws, prosecute offenders, build and maintain roads, keep records, conduct elections, assess property