Illinois State Government

1. Illinois State Government

2. Illinois Handbook of Government • Illinois Handbook of Government

3. Elections • Pages 25-28 • http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingInformation/pdf/Mock.pdf • Loading Mock Election 2012

4. 41st Governor Pat Quinn • Qualifications: • Must be a U.S. Citizen • At least 25 years old • A resident of the state for 3 years before the election • Terms of Office • 4 years • No limit on # of terms

5. Duties of the Governor • Chief Executive Officer of the state • May sign or veto bills • Presents a “state budget” • Appoints people to office • Grants pardons and reprieves • Pat Quinn (Democrat) was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois on Jan. 29, 2009. He won election to a full term on Nov. 2, 2010. Pat Quinn (Democrat) was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois on Jan. 29, 2009. He won election to a full term on Nov. 2, 2010.

6. Lt. Governor Duties of the Lt. Gov. • Assigned duties by the Governor * Committee chair of several Governor Councils ( IL River projects, housing, health care, transportation projects…) • Becomes the Governor if needed – 1st line in succession. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon

7. Attorney General - Lisa Madigan Illinois Attorney General - About Us Duties • Chief Legal Officer for the state • Keeps records of consumer fraud to protect consumers and helps citizens & defend the rights of Illinois citizens. p. 14 of handbook

8. Secretary of StateJesse White Duties: • Keeps records of the General Assembly • Issues drivers’ licenses, plates & titles • State archivist and state librarian of legal and historic value. • Keeps records of the Executive Branch • Administers Organ/Tissue Donor program • P. 15 of handbook This handbook online!

9. Comptroller “ Judy Baar Topinka was sworn-in as Illinois State Comptroller on January 10, 2011 - becoming the first woman in Illinois history to serve in two State Constitutional Offices. Prior to becoming Comptroller, Topinka served as the Illinois State Treasurer from 1994 to 2007. She was the first woman in Illinois history to hold the post, and made history again by becoming the first State Treasurer to be reelected to three consecutive terms. A recognized and respected taxpayer watchdog, Judy has a well-earned reputation for speaking up against mismanagement of public funds.” http://www.ioc.state.il.us/ Duties: • Chief fiscal (money) control officer • Keeps track of all money spent by the state • Maintains state financial information ( accounting)

10. Treasurer – Dan Rutherford Duties: • Actually writes the checks • Responsible for the safe keeping and investing state money • p. 17 of handbook • As the state’s banker, Rutherford is responsible for investing more than $15 billion in taxpayer dollars.

11. Major State Dept. & Agencies • State of Illinois Home : State Agencies • P. 47 of handbook

12. Dept. of Agriculture • Promotes, regulates, and protects farming • Operates the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair Nice picture of Thomas Crome & his Montadale !

13. Dept. of Corrections • Incarceration of adults and juveniles • Supervises after completion of sentencing

14. Dept. of Human Services • Licenses foster homes, child welfare, and daycares • Programs for abused and neglected children • Gives help to families with dependent children • Medical assistance and food stamp programs

15. Illinois State Police • Patrols state highways • Enforces traffic codes and criminal laws

16. Dept. of Natural Resources • Manages state parks • Conducts education and safety classes

17. Dept. of Revenue • Collects income taxes • Collects sales taxes

18. Dept. of Transportation • Builds, coordinates, and maintains roads • Airports, public transit, railroads, and waterways

19. Legislative BranchGeneral Assembly Qualifications: • 21 years old • U.S. citizen • Live in district for 2 years Members: • Senate -59 members • House of Rep.- 118 Terms: • Senate 4,4,2 years • House of Rep. 2 years

20. Legislative BranchGeneral Assembly Duties: • Make the laws for the state by passing bills.. • Impeach state office holders • Act on amendments to the U.S. Constitution • Senate – approves appointments by the governor

21. Legislative BranchGeneral Assembly Leadership: p. 22 in handbook • Senate President and Speaker of the House John J. Cullerton Senate President Michael Madigan Speaker of the House

22. Our Legislative District Senator: • District 55 • Dale Righter Representative: • District 110 • Brad Halbrook Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography Dale Righter Brad Halbrook Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography

23. Judicial Branch Illinois Supreme Court p. 54 in handbook • Term – 10 years • # of members – 7 • Duties: ~ Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts ~ Hears appeals from lower courts

24. Judicial Branch Appellate Courts • Term – elected for 10 years • # of courts – 5 judicial districts • Duties ~ 3 justices hear cases ~ hears appeals from Circuit Courts

25. Circuit Courts Term – elected for 6 years 22 circuits courts in IL Duties of the courts- * original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases * hears cases of all kinds, from divorces to murders Judicial Branch

26. Our Illinois Constitution • Illinois Constitution • Educators :Understanding our Constitution

27. Federal-State Governmental relations • Our U.S. Senators from Illinois represent our state in Washington D.C. in the 111th Congress • Dick Durbin is a Democrat from Springfield • John Shmikus is our U.S. Representative in the 15th district

28. What Congressional District are we since 2001? • See page 9 of the handbook

29. The End • More to come from the Handbook of Illinois Government