Illinois Senate facts for kids
The Illinois Senate is an important part of the government in the state of Illinois. It's like the "upper house" of the Illinois General Assembly, which is the group that makes laws for the state. The Illinois Senate was created way back in 1818 when Illinois first became a state.
There are 59 senators in the Illinois Senate. These senators are chosen by people voting in different areas of the state, called legislative districts. The number of people in each district helps decide how many senators there are.
Senators have different term lengths. Some terms are two years long, and others are four years long. This means that not all senators are up for election at the same time. Sometimes, about one-third of the Senate seats are open for election, sometimes two-thirds, and sometimes all of them. This system helps keep the government running smoothly.
The Illinois Senate works alongside the Illinois House of Representatives. The House has 118 members, and all of them are elected for two-year terms. Each Senate district is split into two smaller districts for the House of Representatives.
What the Senate Does
The Illinois Senate plays a big role in making laws for the state. Senators discuss new ideas for laws, vote on them, and work with the House of Representatives and the Governor to decide which laws will be put into action. They represent the people in their districts and work to improve life in Illinois.
How Senators Are Chosen
Senators are elected by the citizens of Illinois. When you turn 18, you can vote for the people you want to represent you in the Senate. These elections happen regularly, allowing people to choose who they believe will best serve their communities.
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See also
In Spanish: Senado de Illinois para niños
