Citizenship Manual - Boys State Constitution |
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PREAMBLE WE THE PEOPLE OF PREMIER BOYS 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 blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for Boys State of Illinois. Article III - Distribution of Power Article IV - Legislative Branch Article VIII - Local Government Article XII - Amendments to the Constitution
The boundaries and jurisdiction of the State shall be that part of the campus of Eastern Illinois University at Charleston, Illinois, which is set aside for the uses and purpose of Boys State, or such other location within the State of Illinois as may be decided upon from year to year by the officers and directors of Boys State. Section 1. Inherent And Inalienable Rights All men are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights among which 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. Section 2. Due Process and Equal Protection No citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law nor be denied the equal protection of the laws. Section 3. Religious Freedom The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be guaranteed, and no citizen shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his religious opinions, but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of Boys State. No citizen shall be required to attend or support any ministry or place of worship against his consent, nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship Section 4. Freedom of Speech All citizens may speak, write, and publish freely, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, when published with good motives and for justifiable ends, shall be sufficient defense. Section 5. Rights to Assemble and Petition The citizens have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances. Section 6. Election Rights All elections shall be free and equal Section 7. Searches, Seizures, Privacy and Interceptions The citizens shall have the right to be secure in their persons, papers and other possessions against unreasonable searches, seizures, invasions of privacy or interceptions of communications by eavesdropping devices or other mean. No warrant shall be issued without probable cause, supported by affidavit particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. No person shall be held in answer for a criminal offense unless on indictment of a court. Section 8. Rights after Indictment In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person and by council; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation and have a copy thereof; to meet the witnesses face to face and to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; and to have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. Section 9. Bail and Habeas Corpus All citizens shall be bailable. The privileges of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of rebellion or invasion when the public safety may require it. Section 10. Self-Incrimination and Double Jeopardy No citizen shall be compelled in a criminal case to give evidence against himself nor be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense Section 11. Limitation of Penalties after Conviction All penalties shall be determined both according to the seriousness of the offense and with the objective of restoring the offender to useful citizenship. Section 12. Right to Remedy and Justice Every citizen shall find a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries and wrongs which he receives to his person, privacy, property or reputation. He shall obtain justice by law freely, completely, and promptly. Section 13. Trial by Jury The right of trial by jury as heretofore enjoyed shall remain inviolate. Section 14. Imprisonment or Debt No person shall be imprisoned for debt, or shall be imprisoned for failure to pay a fine. Section 15. Ex Post Facto Laws and Impairing Contracts No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts or making an irrevocable grant of special privileges or immunities, shall be passed. Section 16. No Discrimination Towards Any Citizen All persons shall have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national ancestry. Section 17. Individual Dignity To promote individual dignity, communications that portray criminality, depravity or lack of virtue in, or that incite violence, hatred, abuse or hostility toward a person or group of persons by reason of or by reference to religious, racial, ethnic, national or regional affiliation are condemned Section 18. Fundamental Principles A frequent recurrence of the fundamental principles of civil government is necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty. These blessings cannot endure unless the people recognize their corresponding individual obligations and responsibilities Section 19. Rights Retained The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the individual citizens of Boys State.
Article III - Distribution of Power The powers of the government of this state are divided into three departments - the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, and no person, or collection of persons, being one of these shall execute any power properly belong to either of the others, except as hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.
Article IV - Legistlative Branch SECTION 1 - The legislative power shall be vested in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and house of Representatives, both to be elected by the people. SECTION 2 - An election for members of the General Assembly shall be held at each yearly session of Boys State, in each county, and at such places therein as may be provided by law. When vacancies occur in either House, the Board of Supervisors in the county where the vacancy occurs shall fill such vacancy. SECTION 3 - No person shall be a Senator or Representative who shall not have been enrolled as a citizen of Boys State. Every Senator and Representative at the time of his election shall be a resident within the territory forming the district from which he is elected and may not hold any other elective office. SECTION 4 - No person who has been or hereafter shall be convicted of bribery, perjury, or a felony shall be eligible to the General Assembly. SECTION 5 - Members of the General Assembly, before they enter upon their official duties, shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the Constitution of Boys State, and I will faithfully discharge the duties of Senator (or Representative) according to the best of my ability." This oath shall be administered in the hall of the House to which the member is elected, and the Secretary of State shall record and file the oath subscribed by each member. Any member who shall refuse to take the oath herein prescribed shall forfeit his office, and every member who shall be convicted of having sworn, falsely to, or of violating his said oath, shall forfeit his office and be disqualified thereafter from holding any offices of trust in this Premier Boys State. SECTION 6 - The state shall be divided into legislative districts, one for each county, each of which shall elect one Senator, whose term of office shall be one year. Legislative districts shall be formed along county lines and contain as nearly as practicable an equal number of inhabitants. SECTION 7 - Every legislative district shall be entitled to four Representatives. SECTION 8 - The session of the General Assembly shall convene at such time and place as prescribed by the officers and directors of Boys State. A majority of the members elected to each House shall constitute a quorum. Each house shall determine the rules of its proceedings, be the judge of the election, returns and qualifications of its members, and shall choose its own officers, including a presiding officer. No member shall be expelled by either House except by a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to that House. Each House may punish through censure any person, not a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the House by disorderly or contemptuous behavior in its presence. SECTION 9 - The door of each House and of the committees of the whole shall be kept open, except in such cases as, in the opinion of the House, require secrecy. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than one day, or to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, which shall be published. In the Senate, at the request of two members, and in the House at the request of five members, a roll call vote shall be taken on any question, and entered upon the journal. Any two members of either House shall have the liberty to dissent from and protest, in respectful language, against any act or resolution which they think injurious to the public or to any individual and have the reasons of their dissent entered upon the journal. SECTION 10 - The enactment clause of the laws of this state shall read: "BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF BOYS STATE, REPRESENTED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY." SECTION 11 - Bills may originate in either House, and may be altered, amended or rejected by the other, and on the final passages of all bills, a roll call vote shall be taken, upon each bill separately, and shall be entered upon the journal, and no bill shall become law without the concurrence of a majority of the members elected to each house. SECTION 12 - Every bill shall be read at least twice in each House, and the bill and all amendments thereto shall be typed before the vote is taken on its final passage, and every bill, having passed both Houses, shall be signed by the presiding officer thereof. no act thereafter passed shall embrace more than one subject and that shall be expressed in the title, such an act shall be void if it shall not be so expressed; and no law shall be revived or amended by reference to its title only, but the law revived, or the section amended, shall be inserted at length in the new act. No act of the General Assembly shall take effect until the first day of July after its passage. However, emergency legislation may be passed by two-thirds majority of both Houses to be effective after approval by the camp director, for only the session at which it is passed. SECTION 13 - The original copy of each act of the General Assembly shall be transmitted by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate to the Camp Director, who shall submit this act to the Board of Directors of Premier Boys State for consideration at their next annual meeting. If the Board of Directors approves of the legislation, the act shall at that time become law, and shall be incorporated in the Statutes of Premier Boys State. SECTION 14 - Except in cases of treason, felony or breach of peace, a member shall be privileged from arrest going to, during and returning from sessions of the General Assembly. A member shall not be held to answer before any other tribunal for any speech or debate, written or oral, in either House. These immunities shall apply to committee and legislative commission proceedings. SECTION 15 - No person elected to the General Assembly shall receive any civil appointment within the state from the Governor, the Lt. Governor and Senate, or from the General Assembly during the term of which he shall have been elected, and all such appointments and all votes given for any such members for any such offices or appointment shall be void. SECTION 16 - The General Assembly shall make no appropriations of money and shall levy no taxes. SECTION 17 - The General Assembly shall pass no law imposing a monetary fine on any citizen of Boys State. SECTION 18 - The General Assembly shall never grant or authorize any compensation, fee, or allowance to any citizen of Boys State. SECTION 19 - The members of the General Assembly shall receive no monetary compensation for their services in the General Assembly. SECTION 20 - The General Assembly shall have no power to authorize lotteries or gift enterprises, for any purpose and shall pass laws to prohibit the sale of lottery or gift enterprise tickets SECTION 21 - The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations, to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial Officers. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office of this state. in this state. SECTION 22 - Boys State shall never be made a defendant in any court of law or equity. SECTION 23 - No law shall be passed which shall operate to extend the term of any public officer after his election or appointment.
Section 1. Officers - The Executive Branch shall include a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer elected by the citizens of Premier Boys State of Illinois. Section 2. Term - These elected officers of the Executive Branch shall hold office for one year from the date of their election or until their successor is elected and qualified. They shall perform such duties prescribed to laws. Section 3. Eligibility - To be eligible to hold the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller or Treasurer, a person must be a Citizen of Premier Boys State. Section 4. Election - An election for governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General shall be held at each yearly session of Boys State. Section 5. Canvass - Contests - The election returns for executive offices shall be sealed and transmitted to the Secretary of State, or other person or body provided by law, who shall examine and consolidate the returns. The person having the highest number of votes for an office shall be declared elected. If two or more persons have an equal and highest number of votes for an office, they shall draw lots to determine which of them shall be declared elected. Election contests shall be decided by the courts in a manner provided by law. Section 6. Gubernatorial Succession (a) In the event of a vacancy, the order of succession to the Office of Governor or to the position of Acting Governor shall be the Lieutenant Governor, the elected Attorney General, the elected Secretary of State, and then as provided by law. (b) If the Governor is unable to serve because of death, conviction, or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation or other disabilities, the Office of Governor shall be filled by the officer next in line of succession for the remainder of the term or until the disability is removed. (c) Whenever the Governor determines that he may be seriously impeded in the exercise of his powers, he shall so notify the Secretary of State and the officer next in line of succession. The latter shall thereafter become Acting Governor with the duties and powers of Governor. When the Governor is prepared to resume office, he shall do so by notifying the Secretary of State and the Acting Governor. (d) The General Assembly by law shall specify by whom and by what procedures the ability of the Governor to serve or to resume office may be questioned and determined. The Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction to review such a law and any such determination and, in the absence of such a law shall make the determination under such rules as it may adopt. Section 7. Governor - Supreme Executive Power - The supreme executive power shall be vested in the Governor, who shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Section 8. Legislative Message - The Governor shall at the commencement of each session, and the close of his term of office, give to the General Assembly information, by message of the condition of the state, and shall recommend such measures as he shall deem expedient. Section 9. - Special Sessions - The Governor may convene the General Assembly or the Senate alone in special session by a proclamation stating the purpose of the session; the only business encompassed by such purpose, together with any impeachments on confirmation of appointments shall be transacted. Special sessions of the General Assembly may also be convened by joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both Houses, issued as provided by law. Section 10. Appointing Power (a) The Governor shall nominate and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a majority of the members elected concurring by record vote, shall appoint all officers whose election or appointment is not otherwise provided for. Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within twenty-four hours after the receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of the Senate. The General Assembly shall have no power to elect or appoint officers of the Executive Branch. (b) If, during a recess of the Senate, there is a vacancy in an office filled by appointment by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate, when he shall make a nomination to fill such office. (c) No person rejected by the Senate for an office shall, except at the Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate. (d) If the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer fails to qualify or if his office becomes vacant, the Governor shall fill the office by appointment. The appointee shall hold office until the elected officer qualifies or until a successor is elected and qualified as may be provided by law and shall not be subject to removal by the Governor. If the Lieutenant Governor fails to qualify or if his office becomes vacant, it shall remain vacant until the end of the term. Section 11 Governor - Removal - The Governor may remove for incompetence neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office any officer who may be appointed by the Governor, without the consent of the Senate. Section 12. Governor - Pardons - The Governor may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, after conviction for all offenses of such terms as he thinks proper. The manner of applying therefore may be regulated by law. Section 13. Military Powers - The Governor shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the state and may call out the same to execute the laws, suppress insurrection and repel invasion. Section 14. Impeachment - The Governor and all civil officers of the state shall be liable to impeachment for any misdemeanor in office. Section 15. Veto Procedure (a) Every bill passed by the General Assembly shall be presented to the Governor within three hours after its passage. The foregoing requirement shall be judicially enforceable. If the Governor approves the bill, he shall sign it and it shall become law. (b) If the Governor does not approve this bill, he shall veto it by returning it with his objections to the House in which it originated. Any bill not so returned by the Governor within three hours after it is presented to him shall become law. If recess or adjournment of the General Assembly prevents the return of the bill, the bill and the Governor's objections shall be filed with the Secretary of State within such three hours. The Secretary of State shall return the bill and objections to the originating House promptly upon the next meeting of the same General Assembly at which the bill can be considered. (c) The House to which the bill is returned shall immediately enter the Governor's objection upon its journal. If within one legislative session after such entry that House by a record vote of three-fifths of the members elected passes the bill, it shall be delivered immediately to the second House. If within the next legislative session after such delivery the second House by a record vote of three-fifths of the members elected passes the bill it shall become law. (d) The Governor may return a bill together with specific recommendations for charge to the House in which it originated. The specific recommendations may be accepted by a majority of the members elected to each House. Such bill shall be presented to the Governor and if he certifies that such acceptance conforms to his specific recommendations, the bill shall become law. If he does not so certify he shall return it as a vetoed bill to the House in which it originated. Section 16. Lieutenant Governor Duties - The Lieutenant Governor shall perform the duties and exercise the powers in the Executive Branch that may be delegated to him by the Governor and that may be prescribed by law. Section 17. Attorney General Duties - The Attorney General shall be the legal officer of the state, and shall have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. Section 18. Secretary of State - Duties - The Secretary of State shall maintain the official records of the acts of the General Assembly and such official records of the Executive Branch as provided by law. Such official records shall be available for inspection by the public. He shall keep the Great Seal of Premier Boys State and perform other duties that may be prescribed by law. Section 19. Comptroller - Duties - The Comptroller, in accordance with law, shall maintain the state's central fiscal account, and order payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer. Section 20. Treasurer Duties - The Treasurer, in accordance with the law, shall be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him, and for their disbursement upon order of the Comptroller Section 21. Records - Reports - All officers of the Executive Branch shall keep accounts and shall make such reports as may be required by law. They shall provide the Governor with information relating to their respective offices, either in writing under oath, or otherwise as the Governor can require. Section 22. Fees and Salaries - The officers named in this article shall receive no monetary compensation for their services. Section 23. Definitions - An office is a public position created by the Constitution or law, continuing during the pleasure of thie appointing power, or for a fixed time, with a successor elected or appointed. Section 24. Oath of Office - All civil officers, except members of the General Assembly and such inferior officers as may be by law exempted, shall, before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the Constitution of Premier Boys State, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of ______ according tot he best of my ability."
SECTION 1 - The Judicial powers, except as in this article is otherwise provided, shall be vested in one Supreme Court and Circuit Courts, one for each county. SECTION 2 - Each county shall constitute a Supreme Court district SECTION 3 - One Supreme Court Justice from each of the above mentioned districts shall be elected. A majority of the elected justices shall constitute a quorum. The concurrence of a majority of those justices present shall be necessary to every decision. SECTION 4 - The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction in cases relating to the revenue, in mandamus and habeas corpus and appellate jurisdiction in all other cases. SECTION 5 - The judges elected to the Supreme Court shall select from their number one as the Chief Justice and he shall be the Chief Justice and shall continue to act as such until the expiration of the term for which he was elected. SECTION 6 - The state shall be divided into Circuit Court Districts consisting of one county. Each Circuit Court District shall have one Circuit Court with such number of Circuit Judges as provided by law. SECTION 7 - The Circuit Court shall have original jurisdiction of all cases in law and equity and such appellate jurisdiction as is or may be provided by law, and shall hold one term each year in every county. SECTION 8 - The Supreme Court shall appoint one Supreme Court Clerk. Each Circuit Court District shall elect one Clerk for each respective Circuit Court. SECTION 9 - At the election for members to county offices in each county there shall be elected a State's Attorney in and for each county. SECTION 10 - No person shall be eligible to any of the previously mentioned positions of this article unless he shall be a citizen of Premier Boys State and shall reside in the district in which he shall be elected. SECTION 11 - All officers previously mentioned in this article shall hold office for one year or until their successors shall be qualified. SECTION 12 - No monetary compensation shall be paid to any of the offices mentioned in this article. SECTION 13 - All judicial officers shall be commissioned by the Governor. All laws relating to the courts shall be general, and of uniform operation, and the organization, jurisdiction, powers, proceedings and practice of all courts of the same class or grade shall be uniform. SECTION 14 - Vacancies in such elective offices may be filled by election, but where the unexpired term does not exceed two days in session at Boys State the vacancy shall be filled by appointment as follows: Of judges, by the Governor or clerks of courts, by the court to which the office appertains, or by the judge or judges thereof; and of all such other offices, by the board of supervisors in the county where the vacancy occurs. SECTION 15 - All Circuit Court judges shall on or before the last day of Boys State in each year report in writing to the judges of the Supreme Court such defects and omission in the laws as their experience may suggest and the judges of the Supreme Court shall on or before the first day of January each year report in writing to the Governor and to the offices of Boys State such defects and omissions in the constitution and laws as they may find to exist, together with appropriate forms of bills to cure such defects and omissions in the law. SECTION 16 - The numbers and boundaries of the judicial district are subject to change by the Board of Directors of Boys State. SECTION 17 - All process shall run: IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICAN LEGION PREMIER BOYS STATE OF ILLINOIS; and all prosecutions shall be carried on: IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICAN LEGION PREMIER BOYS STATE OF ILLINOIS; and conclude: AGAINST THE PLACE AND DIGNITY OF THE SAME.
SECTION 1 - Every person having fulfilled all the requirements prescribed by the offices and directors of Boys State for admission to Boys State shall be a resident of Boys State during the term for which he is enrolled and shall be entitled to a vote. SECTION 2 - All votes shall be by ballot. Elections shall in all cases, except for treason, felony or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at elections and in going to and returning from the same. SECTION 3 - No elector shall be deemed to have lost his residency in this state by reason of his absence on business of United States or of the State of Illinois or of Boys State. SECTION 4 - The General Assembly shall pass laws excluding from the right of suffrage, all persons convicted of infamous crimes. SECTION 5 - The educational policy and program of boys State shall be under the supervision and direction of officers of Boys State.
Article VIII - Local Government SECTION 1 - Local government shall consist of the city and county ruling bodies and organizations. SECTION 2 - A county shall consist of a prescribed number (decided on from year to year by the staff) of divisions called "cities.' SECTION 3 - New counties may be formed from year to year as the officers and directors of Boys State may prescribe. SECTION 4 - In forming counties and cities, each county and city shall contain as nearly as possible an equal number of residents. SECTION 5 - In each county there shall be elected the following county officers at the general election at each year's session of Boys State: county clerk, sheriff, treasurer, coroner, county recorder, circuit court judge, states attorney. Each of said officers shall enter upon the duties of his office immediately after his election and they shall hold their respective offices for the term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. SECTION 6 - No county officers shall receive any monetary compensation for services rendered. SECTION 7 - The number of the deputies and assistants of such county offices shall be fixed by the officers and directors of Boys State. All county and city appointive offices shall be printed elsewhere other than in the Constitution in each year's Boys State Citizen's Manual. SECTION 8 - In each city there shall be elected the following city officers at the general election to be held on the second day of each year's session of Boys State: mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, township supervisor (two or number prescribed by staff). Also each city shall divide into wards from which each will elect an alderman to represent that ward at all city council meetings.
No state bank shall hereafter be created except, however, the Boys State Bank now in existence shall continue under the management, supervision and direction of the officers and Directors of Boys State.
SECTION 1 - The militia of Boys State shall consist of all able-bodied citizens residing in the state, except such persons as now or hereafter may be exempted by the laws of the United States or this state. SECTION 2 - The General Assembly in providing for the organization, equipment and discipline of the militia, shall conform as nearly as practicable to the regulations for the government of the armies of the United States. SECTION 3 - All militia officers shall be commissioned by the Governor, and may hold their commissions for such time as the General Assembly may provide. SECTION 4 - The militia shall, in all cases except treason, felony or breach of peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at musters and elections, and in going to and returning from same. SECTION 5 - No persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms shall be compelled to do militia duty in time of peace provided such person shall render service to the state equivalent for such exemption. SECTION 6 - The officers of the militia shall be selected from a list of citizens that have had previous military training. They will be selected by the counselor in charge of the militia at the first militia meeting.
SECTION 1 - The State Police candidates shall be appointed by their respective city counselors SECTION 2 - After appointment, all candidates must attend the Police School as organized by the Board of Directors of Boys State. SECTION 3 - The organization of the State Police and the procedure by which officers are selected shall be established by the legislature. SECTION 4 - The State Police has jurisdiction within the boundaries of the camp as established by the Board of Directors of Boys State. The State Police will not be allowed to carry arms in time of peace. SECTION 5 - The powers of the State Police shall be as provided by law.
SECTION 1 (a) Whenever two-thirds of the members of each House of the General Assembly shall by a vote entered upon the journals thereof, concur that a convention is necessary to revise, alter or amend the constitution, the question shall be submitted to the electors at the next general election. If a majority voting at the election vote for a convention, the General Assembly shall, at the next session, provide for a convention, to consist of double the numbers of members of the Senate, to be elected in the same manner, at the same places and in the same districts. The General Assembly shall, in the Act, calling the convention, designate the day, hour and place of its meeting. Before proceeding, the members shall take an oath to support the Constitution of the United State, and the State of Illinois and Boys State, and to faithfully discharge their duties as members of the convention. The qualification or members shall be the same as that of members of the Senate, and vacancies occurring shall be filled in the manner provided for filling vacancies in the General Assembly. Said convention shall meet promptly after such election and prepare such revision, alteration or amendments of the Constitution as shall be submitted to the electors for their ratification or rejection, at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose at the next session of Boys State; and unless so submitted, and approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election, no such revision, alternation, or amendments shall take effect. (b) No person or body may change or amend this Constitution unless by procedure stated in the Constitution of Boys State (c) No part of this Constitution shall be omitted from the Premier Boys State Citizen's Manual.
SECTION 2 - Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either House of the General Assembly, and if the same shall be voted for by two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two Houses, such proposed amendments together with 'ayes' and 'nays' of each House shall be recorded in full and entered into the journals of each respective House. The said proposed amendment shall then be submitted to a general vote by the citizens of Boys State at the next election in such a manner as prescribed by law. If a majority of the electors voting shall vote for the proposed amendment, the proposed amendment shall become a part of this Constitution. The General Assembly shall have no power to propose amendments to more than one article of the Constitution at the same session.
SECTION 3 - If a question of whether a convention should be called is not submitted during any 15 year period, the Secretary of State shall submit such a question at the general election in the 15th year following last submission.
SECTION 4 - The provisions of this Constitution shall take effect immediately upon the adoption thereof.
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