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The General Assembly, the state's legislative body, convenes in the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield beginning in early January through May 31st every year. The legislative power of the State of Illinois is vested in the General Assembly (ILGA), which is composed of a 59-member Senate and a 118-member House of Representatives. Its main responsibilities include enacting, amending or repealing laws; passing resolutions; adopting spending bills; and conducting inquiries on proposed legislation. 

The ACLU of Illinois’ advocacy team is a recognized presence in the Capitol and has drafted a number of pieces of legislation that have been successfully moved to the Governor and signed into law. Our team also regularly testifies before committees in both the House and the Senate and works to defeat legislation that is harmful to our civil liberties. Learn more about the legislative process in Illinois below. If you have any questions or concerns contact us at advocacy@aclu-il.org

Illinois Legislature FAQ

Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) Website

How to Navigate the ILGA Website

How a Bill Becomes Law

Glossary of Legislative Terms

What is a Witness Slip

Find Your Elected Officials

How to Talk to Your Legislator

Recursos Legislativos

 

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Learn more about our work in the legislature

PodCast: How to Make Your Voice Heard in Springfield