Bill Text: IL SJRCA0003 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Replaces gendered language with gender-neutral language. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-02-28 - Referred to Assignments [SJRCA0003 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SJRCA0003-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SC0003 Introduced 2/24/2023, by Sen. Don Harmon SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 1
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 3
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 8
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 10
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 12
ILCON Art. I, Sec. 14
Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution. Replaces gendered language with gender-neutral language. Effective upon being declared adopted.
LRB103 31098 JDS 57756 e
SC0003 LRB103 31098 JDS 57756 e
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be
submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or
rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6
months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to
amend Sections 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, and 14 of Article I of the
Illinois Constitution as follows:
ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 1)
SECTION 1. INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS
All people 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 people men, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 3)

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SECTION 3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession
and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be
guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or
political right, privilege or capacity, on account of that
person's 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 the State.
No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry
or place of worship against that person's his consent, nor
shall any preference be given by law to any religious
denomination or mode of worship.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 8)
SECTION 8. RIGHTS AFTER INDICTMENT
In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right
to appear and defend in person and by counsel; to demand the
nature and cause of the accusation and have a copy thereof; to
be confronted with the witnesses against the accused him or
her and to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses
on in his or her behalf of the accused; and to have a speedy
public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the
offense is alleged to have been committed.
(Source: Amendment adopted at general election November 8,

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1994.)
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 10)
SECTION 10. SELF-INCRIMINATION AND DOUBLE JEOPARDY
No person shall be compelled in a criminal case to give
evidence against oneself himself nor be twice put in jeopardy
for the same offense.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 12)
SECTION 12. RIGHT TO REMEDY AND JUSTICE
Every person shall find a certain remedy in the laws for
all injuries and wrongs received which he receives to one's
his person, privacy, property or reputation. Every person He
shall obtain justice by law, freely, completely, and promptly.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
(ILCON Art. I, Sec. 14)
SECTION 14. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT
No person shall be imprisoned for debt unless the person
he refuses to deliver up the person's his estate for the
benefit of the person's his creditors as provided by law or
unless there is a strong presumption of fraud. No person shall
be imprisoned for failure to pay a fine in a criminal case
unless the person he has been afforded adequate time to make
payment, in installments if necessary, and has willfully

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failed to make payment.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
SCHEDULE
This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being
declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois
Constitutional Amendment Act.