Governor of Illinois

Governor of Illinois
source
Post	Governor
Body	Illinois
Insigniacaption	Seal
Flagcaption	Standard
Incumbent	J. B. Pritzker
Incumbentsince	January 14, 2019
Department	Government of Illinois
Style	The Honorable (formal), Governor (informal)
Residence	Illinois Governor's Mansion
Seat	Springfield, Illinois
Termlength	Four years, no term limits
Constituting instrument	Illinois Constitution
Formation	October 6, 1818
First	Shadrach Bond
Salary	$177,412 (2019)

Contents

History
Powers and duties
Election and succession
List of governors
Residences and offices
See also

Governor of Illinois. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Government of Illinois and the commander-in-chief of the Illinois National Guard. The officeholder is responsible for implementing state laws, appointing officials, and preparing the state budget. The position was established upon Illinois's admission to the Union in 1818, with Shadrach Bond serving as the first governor.

History

The office's origins trace to the Illinois Territory, established in 1809, with Ninian Edwards serving as its first and only territorial governor. Following the passage of the Enabling Act of 1818 by the United States Congress, a state constitution was drafted at Kaskaskia, creating the governorship. Early governors like Bond and Edwards presided over a frontier state, with the capital moving from Vandalia to Springfield in 1839. The Illinois Constitution of 1848 established popular election of the governor, while the post-Civil War Illinois Constitution of 1870 lengthened the term to four years. The 20th century saw influential figures like Frank Lowden, who modernized state government, and Adlai Stevenson II, who later became the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. The current framework is defined by the Illinois Constitution of 1970, which strengthened executive powers.

Powers and duties

The governor possesses extensive executive authority, including the power to sign or veto legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly, with a veto override requiring a three-fifths majority in both the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The governor submits an annual budget proposal to the legislature and holds broad appointment powers for heads of state agencies, members of boards and commissions, and judges to fill vacancies, subject to confirmation by the Illinois Senate. As commander-in-chief, the governor may deploy the Illinois National Guard during emergencies. The governor also grants pardons, commutations, and reprieves, except in cases of impeachment, and can declare a state of emergency or disaster. The governor delivers an annual State of the State address to the General Assembly.

Election and succession

Gubernatorial elections are held every four years, coinciding with the midterm election cycle. Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of Illinois for the three years preceding the election. The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is elected on a joint ticket with the governor. If the governorship becomes vacant due to death, resignation, removal, or incapacitation, the lieutenant governor assumes the office. Subsequent succession falls to the Attorney General of Illinois, followed by the Secretary of State of Illinois. In the event of a governor's temporary disability, powers may be transferred to the lieutenant governor as acting governor.

List of governors

Since statehood, Illinois has had 44 governors, serving 43 distinct terms; Otto Kerner Jr. is counted twice for non-consecutive terms. The state has been governed by members of multiple parties, including the Democratic, Republican, and earlier Whig parties. Notable governors include John Peter Altgeld, known for pardoning the Haymarket affair defendants; Richard J. Daley, who later served as Mayor of Chicago; and Jim Edgar, who presided during the 1990s. The first African American governor was Pat Quinn, who succeeded the impeached Rod Blagojevich. The current governor, J. B. Pritzker, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

Residences and offices

The official residence is the Illinois Governor's Mansion, located in Springfield and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The primary working office is located in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, named for former Governor James R. Thompson. The governor also maintains an office in the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. The mansion has been home to governors since its occupancy by Joel Aldrich Matteson and has undergone several major renovations.