Questions and Answers
When did Illinois become a state?
1818
What was the first state capital of Illinois?
Kaskaskia
What was the second state capital of Illinois?
Vandalia
What is the current capital of Illinois?
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How many constitutions has Illinois had?
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What year was the present constitution of Illinois adopted?
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How many amendments have been added to the Illinois Constitution?
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What is Article I of the Illinois Constitution?
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What is the number of articles in Article I?
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What is Article II of the Illinois Constitution?
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What is Section 1 of Article II?
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What is Section 2 of Article II?
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What is Article III of the Illinois Constitution?
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What are the three requirements to vote in Illinois?
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Being a __________ ____________ disqualifies you from voting.
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How often does the general election take place?
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What is Article IV of the Illinois Constitution?
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What is the name of the legislative body in Illinois?
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What is the main duty of the legislative body?
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What are the two houses of the General Assembly?
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What are the districts that state senators are elected from called?
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How many legislative districts are there in Illinois?
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How many state senators are elected from each district?
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What is the term for a senator?
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What are the districts that representatives are elected from called?
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What are districts based on?
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How many representative districts are there in Illinois?
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How many representatives are elected from each district?
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What is the term for representatives?
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What are the qualifications to be part of the General Assembly?
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What are three characteristics of a district?
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How are senators and representatives elected?
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How long is a term of the General Assembly?
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How often must the General Assembly meet per term?
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Who can call a special session of the General Assembly?
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Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?
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How is the Senate President chosen?
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Who is the presiding officer of the House?
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How is the Speaker chosen?
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Where must all bills originate before they become law?
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What vote is needed in a house before a bill is sent to the other one?
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How long does the General Assembly have to present a bill to the governor after passing it?
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What happens to a bill when it is signed by the governor?
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What happens to a bill if it is vetoed by the governor?
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What is item veto?
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What kind of bill is an item veto used on?
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What is amendatory veto?
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What vote is needed by the General Assembly to override a veto?
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How long does the General Assembly have to override a bill vetoed by the governor?
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What is legislative immunity?
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Study Notes
Illinois State Constitution Overview
- Illinois became a state in 1818.
- The first state capital was Kaskaskia; the second was Vandalia.
- Springfield is the current capital of Illinois.
Illinois Constitutions
- Illinois has had four constitutions since statehood.
- The present constitution was adopted in 1970.
- Ten amendments have been added to the current constitution.
Articles of the Constitution
- Article I is known as the Bill of Rights, containing 24 specific articles.
- Article II outlines the powers of the state, featuring key sections on Separation of Powers and Powers of Government.
- Article III addresses Suffrage and Elections.
Voting Requirements
- To vote, individuals must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents for 30 days.
- Convicted felons are disqualified from voting.
- General elections occur every even-numbered year.
Legislative Structure
- Article IV of the constitution pertains to the legislature, known as the General Assembly.
- The General Assembly is the legislative body responsible for making laws.
- It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Legislative Districts
- There are 59 legislative districts from which state senators are elected, with one senator per district.
- Each district must be compact, contiguous, and equal in population.
- There are 118 representative districts in Illinois.
Legislative Terms and Elections
- Senators serve terms of 2 or 4 years; representatives serve 2-year terms.
- Senators and representatives are elected during general elections.
General Assembly Meetings
- The General Assembly must meet at least once every term. Special sessions can be called by the Governor.
- The Senate President is the presiding officer of the Senate, chosen by the senators; the Speaker of the House presides over the House, chosen by representatives.
Bill Process
- All bills must originate in either house and require a majority vote to move forward.
- The General Assembly has 30 days to present a bill to the governor after passing it.
- A bill becomes law upon being signed by the governor; if vetoed, it returns to the assembly for reconsideration.
Veto Powers
- An item veto allows the governor to reject specific sections of a bill, applicable primarily to money bills.
- An amendatory veto returns a bill in an amended form.
- Overriding a veto requires a 3/5 vote from the General Assembly, with a 15-day window to do so.
Legislative Immunity
- Legislative immunity protects members from civil liability for actions performed within their official capacity.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Illinois' history and government with these flashcards covering important facts about the state's constitution. Learn about its capitals and key events in Illinois' journey to statehood. Perfect for students and anyone interested in state government.
