How is the Illinois General Assembly structured?

The Illinois General Assembly is structured as a bicameral legislature, which means it consists of two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This two-chamber system allows for a distribution of power and responsibilities, enabling both chambers to review, amend, and approve legislation, providing a system of checks and balances within the legislative process.

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber, where members serve two-year terms, and the Senate is the upper chamber, with members serving four-year terms. This structure is designed to ensure that both chambers collaborate on the legislative work, allowing for a thorough debate and consideration of proposed laws before they can be enacted.

Other options, like a unicameral legislature, would imply a single chamber, which does not reflect the structure of the Illinois General Assembly. Similarly, a triple chamber legislature and a federal assembly are not applicable, as Illinois operates under its state constitution that distinctly articulates the existence of a bicameral legislative system.