Know Your Rights. Featured today: Excerpts from Constitution of the State of Illinois
BILL OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1. INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS. All men are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these rights and the protection of property, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
SECTION 2. DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property
without due process of law nor be denied the equal protection of the laws.
SECTION 3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession
and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be
guaranteed, and no person shall be denied any civil or
political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his
religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby
secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or
affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify
practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State.
No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry
or place of worship against his consent, nor shall any
preference be given by law to any religious denomination or
mode of worship.
SECTION 4. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. All persons may speak, write and publish freely, being
responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In trials for
libel, both civil and criminal, the truth, when published
with good motives and for justifiable ends, shall be a
sufficient defense.
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