What are the House of Representatives and the Senate collectively called in Illinois?

In Illinois, the House of Representatives and the Senate are collectively referred to as the Legislature. This term encompasses both chambers of the state's General Assembly, which is responsible for creating and passing laws. The Legislature is a bicameral body, meaning it has two separate chambers, which is a common structure in many state governments and the federal government.

This distinction is crucial as it highlights the legislative process involving both houses working together to propose, debate, and enact legislation. While the other terms like "Council" or "Assembly" may refer to groups of lawmakers in different contexts, they do not specifically designate the combination of both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. "The Commons" is not a commonly recognized term in this context, further confirming that the accurate term is "Legislature."