Illinois Government
3 Branches of Government at a Glance

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH makes Illinois laws	EXECUTIVE BRANCH enforces Illinois laws	JUDICIAL BRANCH interprets Illinois laws
General Assembly - divided into 2 Houses	6 Elected Officials	3-Court System
Senate 59 senators 1 elected from each legislative district Elected to 2-year terms House of Representatives 118 representatives 2 elected from each legislative district Elected to 2-year terms	Governor Chief Executive Officer Sees to it that laws get carried out Signs or vetoes bills passedvby General Assembly Proposes a State budget Elected to 4-year terms Lieutenant Governor Runs with Governor as a team Performs duties assigned by Governor Next in line to become Governor if Governor dies or is unable to fulfill duties Elected to 4-year terms Attorney General Chief Legal Officer Represents the State, State agencies and State officials in court. Chief Law Enforcement Officer Responsible for protecting consumers from fraud Elected to 4-year terms Secretary of State Keeps the official records of the General Assembly and the Executive Branch Licenses drivers, issues license plates, keeps driving and vehicle records Keeps the State Seal In charge of maintenance of the Capitol building Elected to 4-year terms Comptroller Chief Fiscal Control Officer Reviews State bills and payments Pays the State's bills Helps set financial policies Elected to 4-year terms Treasurer State's Banker Responsible for safekeeping of monies deposited for the State Invests the monies deposited for the State Elected to 4-year terms	Supreme Court 7 Justices Highest court in Illinois Has general administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in Illinois Hears appeals from the Appellate and Circuit Courts May exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue, prohibition or Habeas corpus(must be brought before a judge to determine if there is a reason to detain you or not) Justices elected from 5 judicial districts Serve 10-year terms Appellate Court 52 Judges Hears appeals from the Circuit Courts and administrative agencies Judges elected from 5 judicial districts Serve 10-year terms Circuit Courts The unified trial courts Have original jurisdiction Hear cases and enter judgments 23 judicial circuits--each circuit has a Chief Judge, Circuit Judges, and Associate Judges. Circuit Judges elected for 6-year terms. Associate Judges appointed by Circuit Judges for 4-year terms.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH	EXECUTIVE BRANCH	JUDICIAL BRANCH
Must be a U.S. CITIZEN Must be at least 21 years old Must be a resident of the district they will represent for the 2 years preceding their election	Must be a U.S. CITIZEN Must be at least 25 years old Must be a resident of Illinois for the 3 years preceding their election	Must be a U.S. CITIZEN Must be a licensed attorney of Illinois Must be a resident of the district from which they are elected Must devote full time to judicial duties and cannot engage in practice of law or hold other office