Illinois. General Assembly

The General Assembly, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, serves as the legislative body for the State of Illinois. As successor to the territorial Legislative Council and House of Representatives, principal General Assembly activities include enacting, amending or repealing laws; passing resolutions; adopting appropriations bills; and conducting inquiries on proposed legislation. Prior to the General Corporation Law of 1872, charters were granted to corporations by General Assembly special acts. U. S. constitutional amendments are submitted to the General Assembly for ratification by Congress; and the legislature proposes Illinois state constitutional amendments for voter consideration. Although the process by which bill becomes state law has changed under four state constitutions, gubernatorial appointment confirmation authority has been held by the Senate; and the General Assembly holds executive and judicial official impeachment power.

The General Assembly, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, serves as the legislative body for the State of Illinois. As successor to the territorial Legislative Council and House of Representatives, principal General Assembly activities include enacting, amending or repealing laws; passing resolutions; adopting appropriations bills; and conducting inquiries on proposed legislation. Prior to the General Corporation Law of 1872, charters were granted to corporations by General Assembly special acts. U. S. constitutional amendments are submitted to the General Assembly for ratification by Congress; and the legislature proposes Illinois state constitutional amendments for voter consideration. Although the process by which a bill becomes state law has changed under four state constitutions, gubernatorial appointment confirmation authority has been held by the Senate; and the General Assembly holds executive and judicial official impeachment power.

The General Assembly, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, serves as the legislative body for the State of Illinois. As successor to the territorial Legislative Council and House of Representatives, principal General Assembly activities include enacting, amending or repealing laws; passing resolutions; adopting appropriations bills; and conducting inquiries on proposed legislation. Other actitivies include granting of corporate charters by special acts (pre-1873); U. S. constitutional amendment ratification; and state constitutional amendment preparation for voter consideration. Despite variations in the way bills became state law under the four state constitutions, gubernatorial appointment confirmation authority has been held by the Senate; and the General Assembly continues to hold executive and judicial impeachment powers.