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

 

SC0003LRB103 31098 JDS 57756 e

1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
5REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be
6submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or
7rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6
8months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to
9amend Sections 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, and 14 of Article I of the
10Illinois Constitution as follows:
 
11
ARTICLE I
12
BILL OF RIGHTS

13    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 1)
14SECTION 1. INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS
15    All people men are by nature free and independent and have
16certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life,
17liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights
18and the protection of property, governments are instituted
19among people men, deriving their just powers from the consent
20of the governed.
21(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
 
22    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 3)

 

 

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1SECTION 3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
2    The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession
3and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be
4guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or
5political right, privilege or capacity, on account of that
6person's his religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience
7hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths
8or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify
9practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State.
10No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry
11or place of worship against that person's his consent, nor
12shall any preference be given by law to any religious
13denomination or mode of worship.
14(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
 
15    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 8)
16SECTION 8. RIGHTS AFTER INDICTMENT
17    In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right
18to appear and defend in person and by counsel; to demand the
19nature and cause of the accusation and have a copy thereof; to
20be confronted with the witnesses against the accused him or
21her and to have process to compel the attendance of witnesses
22on in his or her behalf of the accused; and to have a speedy
23public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the
24offense is alleged to have been committed.
25(Source: Amendment adopted at general election November 8,

 

 

SC0003- 3 -LRB103 31098 JDS 57756 e

11994.)
 
2    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 10)
3SECTION 10. SELF-INCRIMINATION AND DOUBLE JEOPARDY
4    No person shall be compelled in a criminal case to give
5evidence against oneself himself nor be twice put in jeopardy
6for the same offense.
7(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
 
8    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 12)
9SECTION 12. RIGHT TO REMEDY AND JUSTICE
10    Every person shall find a certain remedy in the laws for
11all injuries and wrongs received which he receives to one's
12his person, privacy, property or reputation. Every person He
13shall obtain justice by law, freely, completely, and promptly.
14(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
 
15    (ILCON Art. I, Sec. 14)
16SECTION 14. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT
17    No person shall be imprisoned for debt unless the person
18he refuses to deliver up the person's his estate for the
19benefit of the person's his creditors as provided by law or
20unless there is a strong presumption of fraud. No person shall
21be imprisoned for failure to pay a fine in a criminal case
22unless the person he has been afforded adequate time to make
23payment, in installments if necessary, and has willfully

 

 

SC0003- 4 -LRB103 31098 JDS 57756 e

1failed to make payment.
2(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
 
3
SCHEDULE
4    This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being
5declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois
6Constitutional Amendment Act.