Illinois Laws and Rules Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Resource

The Illinois State budget is primarily enacted through the approval of the General Assembly. This process involves both houses of the General Assembly—the House of Representatives and the Senate—working together to review, amend, and ultimately approve the budget proposed by the Governor. The budget must be balanced, meaning that planned expenditures cannot exceed estimated revenues, and the legislative process provides the framework within which budgetary priorities are established and funded.

The need for oversight and approval by the General Assembly ensures that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of the state as decided by elected representatives. This democratic process is crucial in maintaining checks and balances within state government and allows for public input and accountability.

Other mechanisms like executive orders, public referendums, and court decisions do not play a primary role in the budget enactment process in Illinois. Executive orders can direct certain budgetary actions but cannot formally enact the budget. Public referendums may be used for specific funding issues or measures but are not the primary means of enacting the overall budget. Courts typically do not engage with the budgetary process, focusing instead on legal disputes and interpretations of laws. Thus, the General Assembly’s approval is the cornerstone of how the state budget is created and enacted in Illinois.