Governor of Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Illinois |
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| Government of Illinois | |
| Residence | Illinois Governor's Mansion |
| Term length | Four years, no term limits |
| Inaugural holder | Shadrach Bond |
| Formation | October 6, 1818 |
| Salary | $177,412 (2015) |
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The Governor of Illinois is the top leader of the state government in Illinois. This person is in charge of many state agencies and departments. The job of governor is chosen by people voting in the state.
The governor has important duties like approving or rejecting laws. These laws are made by the Illinois General Assembly, which is like the state's parliament. The governor can also forgive or reduce punishments for crimes under state law.
The governor is also the commander-in-chief of Illinois's own military forces. This includes the land and air forces, and the sea forces. They serve the state when needed. Illinois is one of only 13 states that does not limit how many times a person can be governor.
The current governor is JB Pritzker, who is the 43rd person to hold this office. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Governor Pritzker started his term on January 14, 2019. He was re-elected in 2022.
Contents
Becoming Governor
What It Takes to Be Governor
To become the Governor of Illinois, a person needs to meet a few requirements. These rules help make sure the governor is ready for the job.
Here are the main things you need to be:
- You must be at least 25 years old.
- You must be a citizen of the United States.
- You need to have lived in Illinois for at least three years before the election.
How Long a Governor Serves
The governor serves for a term of four years. There is no limit to how many terms a person can be governor. This means someone could be governor for many years if they keep getting re-elected.
The new governor officially starts their job on the second Monday in January. This happens after the election, which takes place in November.
Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?
Sometimes, a governor might not be able to do their job anymore. This could be for different reasons. When this happens, other state officials are ready to step in. This is called the "line of succession." It ensures that Illinois always has a leader.
Here is the order of who takes over if the governor's office becomes empty:
| # | Position | Current Office Holder | Party | |
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Lieutenant Governor | Juliana Stratton | Democratic |
| 2 |
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Attorney General | Kwame Raoul | Democratic |
| 3 |
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Secretary of State | Alexi Giannoulias | Democratic |
Where the Governor Lives
The Governor of Illinois has a special home provided by the state. This home is called the Illinois Governor's Mansion. It is located in Springfield, which is the capital city of Illinois.
The first governor to live in this mansion was Joel Aldrich Matteson. He moved in during the year 1855. The Illinois Governor's Mansion is one of the oldest governor's homes in the United States that has been used continuously.
Other Official Homes
The governor also has access to two other official homes. These are located on the state fair grounds. One is in Springfield, and the other is in DuQuoin. The home in DuQuoin is known as Hayes House. Governors have traditionally used these homes for part of the year.
Some governors have chosen not to live in these official homes full-time. For example, former Governor Rod Blagojevich often traveled from his home city to Springfield. Many governors who live near Chicago also do a lot of their work from an office there. This office is in the James R. Thompson Center, a state-owned building. It is named after former Governor James R. Thompson, who served from 1977 to 1991. He was Illinois's longest-serving governor.
See also
