Preamble
We, the People of the State of Illinois–grateful to
Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has
permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors–in order to
provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a
representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure
legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest
development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the
common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and
our posterity–do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of
Illinois.
Article I, section
3
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 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 his consent, nor shall any preference be given by law
to any religious denomination or mode of worship.
Article I, section
17
All persons shall have the right to be free from
discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national ancestry and sex in
the hiring and promotion practices of any employer or in the sale or rental of
property. These rights are enforceable without action by the General Assembly,
but the General Assembly by law may establish reasonable exemptions relating to
these rights and provide additional remedies for their violation.
Article I, section
20
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.
Article X, section
3
Neither the General Assembly nor any county, city, town,
township, school district, or other public corporation, shall ever make any
appropriation or pay from any public fund whatever, anything in aid of any
church or sectarian purpose, or to help support or sustain any school, academy,
seminary, college, university, or other literary or scientific institution,
controlled by any church or sectarian denomination whatever; nor shall any grant
or donation of land, money, or other personal property ever be made by the
State, or any such public corporation, to any church, or for any sectarian
purpose.
Article IX, section
6
The General Assembly by law may exempt from taxation only
the property of the State, units of local government and school districts and
property used exclusively for agricultural and horticultural societies, and for
school, religious, cemetery and charitable purposes. The General Assembly by law
may grant homestead exemptions or rent credits.