In this section you will find the duties and obligations of those individuals who are either selected to or appointed to office during Boys State. Those running for election or appointed to an office are responsible for knowing the duties prescribed below. As the week progresses, a citizen may hold at most one elected office. In the event an elected officer is elected to a higher position, the citizen will resign the lower level position. Appointments for replacement are made following the procedures listed in the Constitution. It should be noted that in order for government to operate, some county offices are elected in city elections, and some state offices are elected in county elections.

Elected City Officers

Appointed City Officers

Elected County Officers

Appointed County Officers

Elected State Officers

Elected City Officers

The cities of Premier Boys State are organized in accordance with the aldermanic form of government.  Three officers who are elected at large, the Mayor, the City Clerk, and the City Treasurer, and one Alderman elected from each of the four wards comprises the elected officials of a city in Boys State.

Candidates for the foregoing offices are nominated in party caucuses.  The elections to fill these offices is held Sunday, and all newly elected city officers are given the oath of office that night.  From Sunday night until the county government begins to function, all local authority rests in the hands of the city officers.  As county officers are elected, they will take over certain functions heretofore administered by city officers alone.  Whenever there is overlapping jurisdiction, the county officer's authority is superior to that of a city officer.

Following is an outline of the duties of each city official:

MAYOR - The Mayor is the chief executive of the city.  He:

1.  Presides at all meetings of the City Council, but has no vote except in case of a tie.

2.  Appoints certain assistants, with the consent of the Council.  He may remove any appointive officer from office at will.

3.  Supervises the work of all appointive officers, and holds them responsible for proper performance of their duties.

4.  Within 24 hours after he takes office, he shall present to the council a message containing information relative the the affairs of the city and to recommend measures that he may deem expedient, he may within 24 hours veto ordinances passed by the Council, but by a two-third vote of its members, the Council may pass an ordinance over his veto.

CITY CLERK - The City Clerk is the official record keeper of the city.  His duties are as follows:

1.  Attends the meetings of the City Council and prepares written minutes of the proceedings.

2.  Serves as a secretary in general administrative procedures to the City Counselor

CITY TREASURER - The City Treasurer is the official custodian of the city's property.  His duties are as follows:

1.  Requisitions and secures necessary property and supplies from the proper authorities.

2.  Keeps a record of all articles that are to be returned and is responsible for their prompt return when due.

CITY COUNCIL - The City Council is composed of one Alderman from each of the four wards.  The Mayor presides of the City Council, but he has no vote except in case of a tie.  The duties of the City Council are as follows:

1.  Acts as a legislative unit for the city government by enacting ordinances for the welfare of its citizens.

2.  Considers the Mayor's recommendations regarding legislative measures, appointments, etc.

3.  Hears reports submitted by the Mayor and other elective or appointive offices on account of resignation, etc.

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Appointed City Officers

CITY ELECTION BOARD - Some time before Sunday, the City Counselor, in consultation with the temporary ward leaders from each party, will appoint an election board of three citizens to conduct all elections in that city during the week.  Three alternates will also be appointed.  The board will consist of three judges.

The duties of a member of the election board will occupy two hours of a citizen's time for four days.  Citizens who are not willing to put in that much time should not accept appointments to this board.

A special school will be held for all election officials.  At this time, complete instructions in the duties of the various election officials will be given by the Staff Counselor in charge of elections.  It is obligatory that all election officials and their alternates attend these meetings.

 

The following officers shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the consent of the City Council:  City Attorney, Chief of Police, Policeman, Health Commissioner, and Fire Chief.  Their duties are as follows:

CITY ATTORNEY - Gives legal advice to the Mayor and other officers of the municipal government.  Defends the city against law suits, and represents the city when it is the plaintiff before any court.  Acts as a prosecutor before the Circuit Court of any citizen charged with the violation of a city ordinance.

CHIEF OF POLICE - Acts as  the principal agent for law enforcement in the city, seeing that ordinances are observed and order maintained and that state statutes are enforced within the city.

POLICEMAN - Assists in enforcement of any orders that may come from the office of the Chief of Police.

FIRE CHIEF - Inspects his city area for fire hazards, including piles of waste, electrical connections, etc.  Checks over the first fighting equipment in his area to make certain that it is in working condition.  Organizes a volunteer fire department for emergency purposes.

HEALTH COMMISSIONER - Is alert at all times to detect sickness or injuries among citizens and reports his findings to the City Counselor.  Makes daily sanitary inspections, including the condition of the wash rooms, showers, baths, toilets, drains, etc.  Takes charge of morning cleanup of quarters.

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Elected County Officers

County Government in Premier Boys State is emphasized on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Slates of nominees for county offices are made up by each party in a party convention Sunday.  Officers are elected Monday and sworn in Monday night.

The elective officers in a county are:  Sheriff, County Clerk, Judge of the Circuit Court, Coroner, County Treasurer, County Recorder, State's Attorney, and Superintendent of Educational Service Region. 

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - There are eight supervisors.  For convenience in Boys State, townships are coextensive with cities and two supervisors are elected from each city at the time of the regular city election.  The members of the Board of Supervisors elect a presiding officer, called the chairman, from among their own membership.  The Board of Supervisors has the following duties:

1.  To consider legislation dealing with problems of interest to their county and to pass ordinances regulating the citizens of a county.  In general, these rules will deal with measures of health control, sanitation, etc.

2.  To hear reports of activities of elective and appointive officers.

3.  To make up lists of citizens from which jurors may be drawn

4.  To fill vacancies in the Boys State Legislature

SHERIFF - The Sheriff of a county has the following duties:

1.  To be the chief agent of law enforcement in the county.

2.  To be custodian of the dormitory which houses his county and of the equipment therein.

3.  To be responsible for the arrest and safekeeping of persons charged with crime or misdemeanor under the laws of the state.  he is the official jailer.  In case a citizen is sentenced to community service as a penalty for violation of the law, he or his deputy will supervise the carrying out of the prisoner's sentence.

4.  To be responsible for the deportment and general conduct of the citizens of his county when they are together as a group.

5.  To be the executive agent of the Circuit Court and to serve writs, warrants and subpoenas when called upon to do so.  A Deputy Sheriff is assigned as bailiff of the Circuit Court.

COUNTY CLERK - The Clerk is an important administrative office and has several duties to perform.  They are as follows:

1.  Acts as Clerk of the County Board.  In this capacity he keeps minutes of the proceedings of this body.

2.  Is the senior Counselor's chief clerical assistant in carrying out the supervisory program of the county.  In this capacity, the County Clerk becomes the official messenger for the county.

CORONER - In Illinois, the Coroner is the official charged with the responsibility for holding inquests over the body of any citizen found dead under suspicious circumstances, or those killed in accidents.  He is assisted in this procedure by a Coroner's Jury of citizens.  The Coroner has power to arrest anyone accused of crime when directed to do so by the County or Circuit Court, or when a warrant is to be served on the Sheriff.

COUNTY TREASURER - The duties of the County Treasurer are as follows:

1.  To be accountable for all general property issued to the county unit, including such items as beds, mattresses, tables, folding chairs, bulletin boards, ballot boxes, voting booths, brooms, brushes, pails, etc.  To return these items when instructed to do so.

2.  To act as general clerical assistant to the Senior Counselor in carrying out the supervisory program of the county.

COUNTY RECORDER - In Illinois the chief function of a County Recorder is that of recorder of deeds for property, mortgages, contracts, and other important documents.  In Premier Boys State, the Recorder's duties are to include the following:

1.  Is the official custodian in the county for all clerical supplies, including blank forms, bulletins, publications, etc.

2.  Acts as a general clerical assistant to the Senior Counselor in carrying out the supervisory program of the county.

STATE'S ATTORNEY - The State's Attorney is one of the more important county officers.  In the main, his principal duties relate to the enforcement of criminal law.  They are as follows:

1.  Investigates crimes either upon his own initiative, or upon the complaint of citizens, and may institute criminal action by filing an information with the court, or by drawing up indictments and submitting them to a grand jury.

2.  Prosecutes all citizens charged with the violation of state law.

3.  Represents the county in all civil suits to which any of its officers may be a party.

4.  Brings to trial any public official suspected of misconduct in office.

SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICE REGION - This officer's duties are as follows:

1.  Acts as County Librarian and is the custodian of materials of any instructional nature, issued or loaned to a county.

2.  Acts as a general clerical assistant to the Senior Counselor in carrying out the supervisory program of the county.

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Appointed County Officers

The following elected county officers may appoint one or more assistants, to assist with the duties of his office.  Assistants may be relieved of their duties at any time by the officer who made the appointment or by order of the County Board.  These assistants, as provided by Boys State laws are as follows:

SHERIFF - One deputy to serve as Court Bailiff

COUNTY CLERK - One deputy as Clerk of the County Division of the Circuit Court.

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Elected State Officers

The General Assembly, or state legislature, consists of two branches:  (1) the State Senate with eight senators, and (2) the House of Representatives with 32 representatives.  Members of the House of Representatives are nominated at the City caucuses and elected at the City elections on Sunday.  One representative is elected from each city.  Similarly, State Senators are nominated at the County caucuses on Sunday and elected at the County elections on Monday.  One senator is elected from each County.

Vacancies in the State Legislature are filled by appointment.  The function of the legislature is to enact rules and regulations, called statutes, for the general control and well-being of the citizens of a state.  The two branches - the Senate and the House of Representatives - act as a balance to each other.  Legislation to be effective must be passed by a majority of both branches and approved by the Governor.  Legislation may be passed over the Governor's veto by a Constitutional majority vote of membership of each house.  All laws passed by the legislature of Premier Boys State take effect within twenty-four hours, unless otherwise directed in case of an emergency.  To pass an emergency clause requires a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

Senate officers include a President, Secretary of the Senate, two sergeants-at-arms and other minor officers. 

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker and is elected by a majority vote of the members.  He is a member of the House of Representatives and therefore has a vote on all questions.  There are several minor officers in the House organization as well.

Suggested rules for legislative procedure will be placed before the legislators of Boys State by a Staff Counselor in the first joint meeting of both branches.  Each house determines its own rules and elects its own officers.

 

STATE OFFICERS

The state government of Premier Boys State is divided into three distinct branches:  Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch is responsible for seeing that the laws are faithfully carried out, and the judicial branch applies the laws, and decides whether or not they are in harmony with the constitution.

There are two groups of officers for the performance of the executive functions of government.  The first group is composed of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General, and a quasi-executive officer, the Clerk of the Supreme Court.  The second group consists of the boards and commissions which have been created by statute for the purpose of performing special administrative tasks.  Except for the Clerk of the Supreme Court, the officers in the first group are elected by a vote of the citizens of Boys State, those in the second group are appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or in such other manner as the law may direct.

Following is a brief outline of the functions and duties of each elective officer of the executive branch of government:

 

GOVERNOR - The Governor is the chief executive of the government of Premier Boys State.  His functions and duties are as follows:

1.  He shall inform the legislature of the conditions of the state and recommend measures that he may deem expedient.

2.  By and with the advice and consent of the Senate, he shall have the power to appoint such executive assistants and other officers as provided by law.

3.  He shall be responsible for the proper supervision of appointive officials, and shall have power to remove them from office for cause.

4.  He shall sign or veto bills passed by the legislature.  The power of veto must be exercised within twenty-four hours from the time a bill reaches his hands; otherwise, the bill becomes a law without his signature.  A bill vetoed by the Governor may be enacted into law upon the vote of a Constitutional majority of both houses of the legislature.

5.  He shall have the power to pardon or commute sentences of citizens convicted of violating the law of Premier Boys State.

6.  He shall have power to make appointments to fill vacancies in state offices until such vacancies can be filled at the next general election.  These appointments must be by and with the advice and consent of the Senate if the legislature is in session.  If the legislature is not in session, the appointments may be made ad interim, and placed before the Senate for consideration at its next session.

 

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - This officer's functions and duties are as follows:

He shall act as Governor in case the office shall be vacated through death, impeachment, failure to qualify, disability, or felonious conduct of the Governor, and upon occasions when the Governor is absent from the immediate environs of Boys State.

 

SECRETARY OF STATE - The functions and duties of the Secretary of State are as follows:

1.  He shall have charge of the records of Premier Boys State, and shall attest all executive orders, commissions, and certificates issued by the Governor

2.  He shall be the official custodian of all state archives.

3.  He is ex officio the secretary of the State Election Commission

4.  He shall work in harmony with the Dean of Counselors of Premier Boys State and shall assist him in compiling summarized reports of the various activites of Boys State government.

 

STATE TREASURER - The State Treasurer's functions and duties are as follows: 

He shall be responsible for various administartive duties assigned to him in the general office.

 

COMPTROLLER - The Comptroller shall serve as the chief fiscal control officer of Boys State; shall maintain the Boys State central fiscal accounts' shall order all payments into and out of the funds held by the State Treasurer, and in addition ot he powers and duties otherwise provided by law shall have the powers and duties provided in the act creating the office.

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL - The functions and duties of this officer are as follows:

1.  He is the legal advisor to all state officials and agencies.

2.  It is his responsibility to represent Premier Boys State in all suits or legal actions to which the state is a party, its officers or employees.

3.  Upon their request, he will assist state's attorneys with the prosecution of citizens charged with the violation of the laws of the state.

 

THE STATE JUDICIARY

The judicial powers of Premier Boys State are fixed in a Supreme Court which has a representation of eight Justices; in eight Circuit Courts with one judge for each circuit.  Each Boys State county constitutes a judicial circuit which is presided over by a Circuit Judge assisted byt he Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County where the Judge is holding Court.  These officers must reside in the judicial circuit for which they are elected.

In Boys State the lines of the judicial circuits and the Supreme Court districts are drawn so that these two areas are coterminous, that is, they have the same boundaries.

In Illinois the Circuit Court Judges and Associate Circuit Court Judges meet to elect a Chief Judge for each Judicial Circuit, which usually comprises several counties.  We dispense with this procedure at Boys State simply because each county constitutes a circuit.

Circuit Courts in Boys State are courts of record, and can hear any civil or criminal cases.  They are the only courts which have the power to appoint grand juries, receive indictments, or sentence anyone to the State Penitentiary.

The Supreme Court hears cases on appeal when on of the litigants is not satisfied with the decision rendered in the Circuit Court.  The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction in matters pertaining to writs of mandamus and habeas corpus.  A justice of the Supreme Court must reside in the district for which he is elected.

If any citizen is dissatisfied with the decision of any Circuit Court in a case in which he is involved, he has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court.  This appeal should be presented in writing to Clerk of the Supreme Court as soon as possible after the members of the Supreme Court have taken office.  The written appeal should contain a clear statement of the facts of the case, the action taken by the Circuit Court, and a summary argument of why the action is incorrect.  The appeal need not by typed, and the Clerk shall schedule oral arguments before the Court as soon as possible.

All parties to the case may speak in turn during the hearing, and prior to the hearing the Clerk will permit all parties to read the written appeal and to file their own written replies thereto if they so desire. The Constitution describes the judicial system in greater detail and should be consulted prior to taking an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The duties of the officers of the state judiciary are as follows:

 

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT - To sit as one of the members of the Supreme Court of Premier Boys State, and to hear all arguments in connection with cases before the Court.  His authority as an individual consists largely of issuing writs of mandamus or habeas corpus.  The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Boys State is elected from among the justices of their first regular meeting following election.  He serves as presiding officer of the court. 

Justices of the Supreme Court are elected from Judicial Districts at the County elections held on Monday.  Candidates are nominated by convention on Sunday.

 

CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT - The Clerk of the Supreme Court is appointed by the Supreme Court at its organizational meeting.  This officer's functions and duties are as follows:

1.  Under the direction of the Chief Justice, to organize a docket, set a calendar, and keep a record of all cases appealed to the Supreme Court

2.  To act as general clerical assistant to the Staff Counselor for Courts.

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