In Illinois, who has the authority to appoint the Secretary of State?

The Governor of Illinois has the authority to appoint the Secretary of State. In the state's governmental structure, the Secretary of State plays a crucial role, overseeing various functions, such as maintaining public records, managing the state's vehicle registration, and more. This appointment power is part of the executive branch's responsibility, whereby the Governor, elected by the citizens of Illinois, exercises the authority to place individuals into significant administrative positions that aid in the execution of state laws and policies.

In contrast, the other options are roles that either do not possess the appointment authority for this particular position or have different responsibilities within the state's governance framework. For instance, the State Legislature is responsible for creating laws and has other legislative functions but does not directly appoint executive officers like the Secretary of State. The Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General have distinct roles, with the former primarily acting in support of the Governor and the latter overseeing legal matters for the state, but neither has the power to appoint the Secretary of State. Thus, the correct option reflects the established procedures regarding appointments within the Illinois government structure.