Who has the power to impeach officials in Illinois?

The power to impeach officials in Illinois rests with the House of Representatives. This is established in the Illinois Constitution, which outlines the impeachment process as a function of the legislative branch, specifically emphasizing that the House holds the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings. This means that if the House believes an official has committed misconduct, it can bring charges against that official.

Once the House votes to impeach, the process moves to the Senate, which then conducts a trial. It is crucial to note that impeachment in this context serves as a mechanism for accountability, allowing elected representatives to address issues of misconduct or failure to perform duties by state officials, including the Governor.

The Governor does not have the authority to impeach, nor does the Supreme Court, as those bodies operate within different capacities. The Senate plays a key role in the trial stage but does not impeach; only the House can initiate that process.