CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

ADOPTED IN CONVENTION AT SPRINGFIELD, MAY 13TH, A. D. 18701

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Illinois-grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations-in order to form a more perfect government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity; do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.

1818

The People of the Illinois Territory, having the right of admission into the general government as a member of the union, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, the Ordinance of Congress of 1787, and the Law of Congress "Approved April 18th, 1818," entitled "an act to enable the people of the Illinois Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such state into the union on an equal footing with the original states and for other purposes," in order to establish justice, promote the welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity, Do by their representatives in convention, Ordain & Establish the following Constitution, or Form of Government, and do mutually agree with each other to form themselves into a free and independent state by the name of the State of Illinois. (First paragraph.)

1848

We, the people of the State of Illinois-(grateful to Almighty God, for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations)—in order to form a more perfect government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Illinois. (First paragraph.)

1862 (rejected)

We, the people of the state of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, in order to form a more perfect government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the state of Illinois. (Preamble.)

1 Ratified by the people, July 2, 1870. In force, August 8, 1870. Amendments were adopted in 1878, 1880, 1884, 1886, 1890, 1904, and 1908.

ARTICLE I-BOUNDARIES

The boundaries and jurisdiction of the State shall be as follows, to-wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the same, and with the line of Indiana, to the northwest corner of said State; thence east, with the line of the same Sitate, to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north along the middle of said lake, to north latitude forty-two degrees and thirty minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi river, and thence down along the middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio river, and thence up the latter river along its northwestern shore to the place of beginning: Provided, that this State shall exercise such jurisdiction upon the Ohio river as she is now entitled to, or such as may hereafter be agreed upon by this State and the State of Kentucky.

1818

and they do hereby ratify the boundaries assigned to such state by the act of congress aforesaid, which are as follows to-wit:-Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the same and with the line of Indiana to the northwest corner of said state; thence east with the line of the same state to the middle of lake Michigan; thence north along the middle of said lake to north latitude forty two degrees and thirty minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi river; and thence down along the middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio river; and thence up the latter river, along its northwestern shore to the beginning. (First paragraph.)

1848

The boundaries and jurisdiction of the State shall be as follows, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the same, and with the line of Indiana, to the north-west corner of said state; thence east, with the line of the same state, to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north, along the middle of said lake, to north latitude forty-two degrees and thirty minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi river, and thence, down along the middle of that river, to its confluence with the Ohio river; and thence up the latter river, along its northwestern shore, to the place of beginning.

Provided, that this State shall exercise such jurisdiction upon the Ohio river as she is now entitled to, or such as may hereafter be agreed upon by this state, and the state of Kentucky. (Art. 1, Sec. 1.)

1862 (rejected)

The boundaries and jurisdiction of the state shall be as follows, to-wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the same, and with the line of Indiana, to the northwest corner of said state; thence east, with the line of the same state, to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north, along the middle of said lake, to north latitude forty-two degrees and thirty minutes; thence west, to the middle of the Mississippi river; and thence down along the middle of that river, to its confluence with the Ohio river; and thence up the latter river, along its northwestern shore, to the place of beginning; PROVIDED that this state shall exercise such jurisdiction upon the Ohio river as she is now entitled to, or such as may hereafter be agreed upon by this state and the state of Kentucky. (Art. 1.)

ARTICLE II-BILL OF RIGHTS

SECTION 1. All men are by nature free and independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights-among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights and the protection of property, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

1818

all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. (Art. 8, Sec. 1.)

1848

all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights; among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. (Art. 13, Sec. 1.)

1862 (rejected)

we hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. (Art. 2, Sec. 1.)

SECTION 2. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law.

1818

no freeman shall be imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed or exiled, or in any manner deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land.

(Art. 8, Sec. 8.)

1848

no freeman shall be imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed or exiled, or in any manner deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land. (Art. 13, Sec. 8.)

1862 (rejected)

no freeman shall be imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed, exiled, or in any manner deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land. (Art. 2, Sec. 9.)

SECTION 3. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege