Who has the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings in Illinois?

In Illinois, the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings resides with the members of the Illinois House of Representatives. This process is established by the Illinois Constitution, which grants the House the exclusive power to impeach state officials, including the Governor, other executive branch officials, and judges.

Once the House votes to impeach an official, the matter is then sent to the Illinois State Senate, where a trial is conducted to determine whether to remove the official from office. This division of responsibilities ensures that the legislative branch has a significant role in both the initiation and adjudication of impeachment processes, reinforcing the checks and balances among the branches of government.

The other choices do not have the authority to start impeachment proceedings. The Illinois State Senate's role is limited to conducting the trial after impeachment has been initiated by the House. The Governor and the Chief Justice do not possess the power to initiate impeachment, as their functions are primarily within the executive branch and judiciary, respectively.