Who can call a special session of the Illinois General Assembly?

The Governor of Illinois has the authority to call a special session of the General Assembly. This power is grounded in the Illinois Constitution, which grants the Governor the ability to convene the legislature outside of its regular session. Special sessions can be called for specific purposes, such as addressing urgent legislative matters that require immediate attention.

In contrast, the other individuals listed do not possess this authority. The Secretary of State oversees various administrative functions but does not have the power to call a special session. Similarly, while the President of the Senate plays a significant role in the legislative process and influences the agenda during regular sessions, they lack the authority to initiate a special session on their own. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, while an important judicial figure, does not have the power to convene the legislative body. Therefore, the Governor is uniquely positioned with this specific constitutional power.