Illinois State Government
Gov. 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
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
Lt. Gov.
Duties of the Lt. Gov.
• Assigned duties by
the Governor
• Becomes the
Governor if needed
Attorney General
Lisa Madigan
Duties
• Chief Legal Officer
for the state
• Keeps records of
consumer fraud and
helps citizens
Secretary of State
Jesse White
Duties:
• Keeps records of the
General Assembly
• Issues drivers’
licenses
• State archivist and
state librarian
• Keeps records of the
Executive Branch
Comptroller
Daniel Hynes
Duties:
• Chief fiscal (money)
control officer
• Keeps track of all
money spent by
the state
Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
Duties:
• Actually writes the
checks
• Responsible for the
safe keeping and
investing state
money
Dept. of Agriculture
• Promotes, regulates,
and protects farming
• Operates the Illinois
State Fair and the
DuQuoin State Fair
Dept. of Corrections
• Incarceration of
adults and
juveniles
• Supervises after
completion of
sentencing
Dept. of Human Services
• Licenses foster
homes,
child welfare, and
daycares
• Programs for
abused and neglected
children
Illinois State Police
• Patrols state
highways
• Enforces traffic codes
and criminal laws
Dept. of Natural Resources
• Manages state parks
• Conducts education
and safety classes
Dept. of Public Aid
• Gives help to families
with dependent
children
• Medical assistance
and food stamp
programs
Dept. of Revenue
• Collects income taxes
• Collects sales taxes
Dept. of Transportation
• Builds, coordinates,
and maintains roads
• Airports, public
transit,
railroads, and
waterways
Legislative Branch
General Assembly
Qualifications:
• 21 years old
• U.S. citizen
• Live in district
for 2 years
Members:
• Senate 59
• House of Rep. 118
Terms:
• Senate 4,4,2 years
• House of Re. 2 years
Legislative Branch
General Assembly
Duties:
• Make the laws for
the state
• Impeach state
office holders
• Act on amendments
to the U.S. Constitution
• Senate – approves
appointments by the
governor
Legislative Branch
General Assembly
Leadership:
• Senate President
• Speaker of the House
John Cullerton
Senate President
Michael Madigan
Speaker of the House
Legislative District
Senator:
• District 55
• Dale Righter
Representative:
• District 110
• Chapin Rose
Dale Righter
Chapin Rose
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Illinois Supreme Court
• Term – 10 years
• # of members – 7
• Duties:
~ Administrative
Office of
the Illinois Courts
~ Hears appeals from
lower courts
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Appellate Courts
• Term – elected for
10 years
• # of courts – 5 judicial
districts
• Duties
~ 3 justices hear cases
~ hears appeals from
Circuit Courts
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Circuit Courts
• Term – elected for
6 years
• # of courts – 22 circuits
• Duties
~ original jurisdiction in
civil
and criminal cases
~ hears cases of all kinds,
from divorces to
murders