The Superior Court of Cook County was a court in Cook County, Illinois .
31-582: It was preceded by earlier courts. 1845 saw the creation of the County Court of Cook County. In 1849, this was renamed The Cook County Court of Common Pleas. In 1859, this was continued as the newly-founded The Superior Court of Chicago. In 1870, this was formally continued as the Superior Court of Cook County, which was created by the newly-adopted Constitution of Illinois . The Superior Court of Cook County, and its predecessor courts, held roughly
62-408: A limited ability to pass ordinances. Provides for financial matters including obligation of funds, budgeting, spending, and audits. Provides rules for various forms of taxation and state debt. Establishes the goal of free schooling through secondary education and creates a state board of education. Grants each person the "right to a healthful environment." It sets that to be public policy and
93-462: A major automobile accident in Wisconsin that killed six children, investigators discovered that unqualified truck drivers were receiving drivers licenses in exchange for bribes. Ryan chose not to run for re-election in 2002, and in 2006, he was convicted of fraud, including using his authority as secretary of state to end his office's internal investigation after it discovered the scheme. This
124-785: A majority on the board. Section 7 provides procedures to recall the governor. Provides rules for the Illinois General Assembly . Section 1 divides the assembly into two bodies, the Illinois Senate with 59 legislative districts, and the Illinois House of Representatives , with 118 representative districts. Section 2 describes the composition of the two bodies. Section 3 describes legislative redistricting procedures. Section 9 describes procedures involving executive vetoes of legislation. Section 14 describes impeachment rules, under which Governor Blagojevich
155-554: Is a list of all the people who have served as Illinois Territorial Secretary and people who have served as Illinois Secretary of State. The official motto of the state of Illinois is "State Sovereignty - National Union". The Illinois secretary of state in 1867, Sharon Tyndale , as the keeper of the Great Seal of Illinois , had it re-engraved so that the word "sovereignty" was upside down. This 1867 seal redesign continues in use to this day, and can be seen, among other places, as
186-543: Is keeper of the official acts of the General Assembly, the official records of the executive branch, and the Great Seal of Illinois . These duties have remained unchanged since Illinois became a U.S. state in 1818. The secretary also registers corporations and lobbyists , commissions notaries public , and regulates the securities industry , among connected responsibilities. The secretary of state performs other duties prescribed by law. For instance,
217-434: Is the governing document of the state of Illinois . There have been four Illinois Constitutions; the fourth and current version was adopted in 1970 . The current constitution is referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" or less formally as the "1970 Constitution." The document is still referred to as the "Constitution of Illinois of 1970" even though there have been amendments to it after 1970. Important features of
248-533: Is uncertain where the subsequent meeting was held. However, John Reynolds later noted that the meeting was largely peaceful although there were questions about how to handle slavery. Succeeding constitutions were ratified in 1848 , 1870 and 1970 . In 1862 a constitutional convention was held, but the changes known as the " Copperhead constitution" were not ratified by the voters. Thomas J. Turner and Tazewell B. Tanner were delegates to an 1863 Illinois constitutional convention. A constitutional convention
279-818: The Illinois State Capitol Complex in Springfield . Many of the secretary of state's workers assigned to motor vehicle and licensing duties work in the Howlett Building, south of the Capitol. The Howlett Building is named after former secretary of state Michael Howlett . The State Archives are housed in the Norton Building, southwest of the Capitol. The Illinois State Library is located in the Brooks Library, east of
310-568: The Illinois State Capitol Police , responsible for policing the Illinois State Capitol Complex in Springfield , including both the Capitol and 16 surrounding state buildings. The force was created following a 2004 incident in which an unarmed security guard was shot and killed. The force has an authorised strength of 60 officers. The secretary of state's office occupies three buildings of
341-837: The line of succession to the office of Governor of Illinois . The Secretary of State Police of Illinois is a statewide police force, established in 1913; it is responsible for enforcing the laws of the Illinois Vehicle Code such as regulating businesses involved with the sale of motor vehicles and vehicle parts. Its main purpose is to protect consumers against fraud through adherence to state statutes. The Secretary of State Police also investigates identity theft, maintains statewide vehicle inspection stations, investigates statewide vehicle thefts, provides statewide school bus regulation, enforces traffic and parking violations and provides law enforcement to all secretary of state facilities. The Secretary of State Police also maintains
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#1732797720886372-563: The 1970 Constitution include the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. The 1970 Constitution has a preamble and 14 articles. The preamble of the 1970 Constitution is as follows: We, the People of the State of Illinois—grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors—in order to provide for
403-466: The 47 secretaries of state in the United States. The Illinois secretary of state keeps the state records, laws, library, and archives, and is the state's corporation registration , vehicle registration and driver licensing authority. The current secretary of state is Alexi Giannoulias , a Democrat who took office in 2023. The secretary of state, in accordance with the state constitution,
434-600: The Capitol, which is named for longtime state Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks , winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. In addition, the secretary of state operates 136 Driver Services license-issuing facilities statewide and maintains its own police force. Established in 1913, their duties include enforcement of the Illinois Vehicle Code on businesses regulated by the secretary of state and maintaining public safety, traffic control and assisting other law enforcement agencies. The secretary of state, to be eligible to take
465-566: The State of Illinois. The bill of rights and contains similar provisions as the United States Bill of Rights , such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. It also contains items not included in the United States Constitution like section 18, which prohibits discrimination based on sex and section 19, which prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental handicaps. Describes
496-456: The division of powers into executive , legislative and judicial branches. Describes voting qualifications, disqualifications and other election rules. Section 1 stipulates that a person must be 18 years old and a resident of the state for 30 days to vote. Section 4 provides for the Illinois General Assembly to establish rules for elections . Section 5 establishes rules for the state board of election, requiring for no political party to have
527-473: The duty of individuals to that a healthful environment is maintained. Sets rules for the state militia : "The State militia consists of all able-bodied persons residing in the State except those exempted by law." It establishes the governor as the commander in chief of the militia and grants authority to use the militia to "enforce the laws, suppress insurrection or repel invasion." Establishes rules for persons holding public office. Section 5 prohibits reducing
558-414: The election of constitutional officers, did not take effect for several years. Important features of the fourth Illinois Constitution include the creation of home rule powers for larger municipalities and other units of local government. Secretary of State of Illinois The secretary of state of Illinois is one of the six elected executive state offices of the government of Illinois , and one of
589-436: The election were whether it was sensible to have a constitution at that time and, if so, whether to form it and how to select appropriate representatives to frame it. Madison , St. Clair , and Gallatin counties were allocated three delegates each, while all other counties were allocated two delegates each. Delegates elected were to attend a meeting at Kaskaskia on August 3. Any record of this election has been lost and it
620-416: The end of his sixth term at the age of 88, was succeeded by Alexi Giannoulias , who won the 2022 election and became the 38th secretary. The secretary of state before White was George Ryan , a Republican from Kankakee, Illinois . He held the office from 1991 to 1999, when he became Governor of Illinois . Ryan's tenure as secretary of state led to his downfall in the "licenses for bribes" scandal: after
651-425: The health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity—do ordain and establish this Constitution for
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#1732797720886682-435: The measure. 1,069,939 other voters chose neither option. In 2008, there was an effort by citizens to support a convention. Ultimately, the measure was also defeated by a wide margin, 1,493,203 votes for and 3,062,724 against from a total of 5,539,172 votes cast. 983,245 voters chose neither option. (Source: Southwestern Illinois College . Constitution study Guide . The Illinois Constitution .) When statehood for Illinois
713-636: The oath of office, must be a United States citizen of at least 25 years of age, and a resident of Illinois for at least three years preceding the election. On January 9, 2023, Jesse White , a Democrat , completed his sixth term as the 37th secretary of state, the first African-American in the position and by far longest-serving secretary in Illinois history. Before being elected Secretary of State in November 1998, White had been an elected office-holder from Chicago since 1974. White, who decided to retire at
744-451: The pension benefits of public employees. Section 7 provides for public transportation and allows the General Assembly to spend money to provide it. Describes procedures for amending the constitution. Section 1 describes rules for constitutional conventions. This article requires that Illinois voters be asked at least every 20 years if they desire a constitutional convention . In 1988 the measure failed 900,109 votes for and 2,727,144 against
775-465: The same jurisdiction as the original Circuit Court of Cook County. The court ceased to exist in 1964 after an amendment to the Constitution of Illinois took effect, creating of the modern Circuit Court of Cook County , unifying Cook County's court system. Notable individuals who served as judges of the court include: Constitution of Illinois The Constitution of the State of Illinois
806-484: The secretary is the custodian of the Illinois State Capitol and all state buildings. By statute, the secretary of state is also tasked with issuing licenses to Illinois drivers and registering motor vehicles operated in the state, effectively making the secretary of state's office the department of motor vehicles , though that phrase is not used in Illinois. Enforcement of these duties has made
837-412: The secretary of state's office a key bureau in the enforcement of laws against driving under the influence . Illinois is one of only three states to put the secretary of state in charge of motor vehicle registration , the other two being Maine and Michigan . Aside from routine responsiblilities, the secretary of state is third (behind the lieutenant governor and attorney general , respectively) in
868-403: The secretary oversees the state archives and the state library. The State Archives serves as the official depository of state agency and local government records that possess administrative, legal, or historic research value. The State Library houses more than 5,000,000 items, and other informational resources, and oversees a consortium of academic and regional libraries in the state. In addition,
899-484: Was approved on April 18, 1818, the U.S. Congress approved the formation of a state constitution. An election for delegates to a state constitutional convention was scheduled for July 6, 1818. All white male U.S. citizens who had resided in the Illinois Territory for at least six months prior to the election, or whom were otherwise qualified to vote for representation, were permitted to vote. The main topics of
930-476: Was held in 1920, but in 1922 the changes were rejected by voters. The Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention convened on December 8, 1969 and concluded on September 3, 1970. The resulting fourth version of the Illinois Constitution was ratified by special election on December 15, 1970 , and went into effect on July 1, 1971. However, some provisions, such as the change in the dates for
961-635: Was impeached in the House and removed from office after a trial in the Senate. Describes rules for the six state elected members, Governor , Lieutenant Governor , Attorney General , Secretary of State , Comptroller , and Treasurer . Sets up rules for Supreme Court of Illinois , the Illinois Appellate Court , and the circuit or trial courts of Illinois. Provides rules for county, township, and city governments and provides them with