constitution study guide - kish
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Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 East C
apitol Avenue
Springfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
all 71B bull M
acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United States and the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Table of ConTenTs
Part One The Declaration of Independence 1 DeclaringIndependence 1 ExcerptsfromtheDeclarationofIndependence 2
Part Two The US Constitution 5 USConstitutionOutline 5 WritingtheConstitutionIntroduction 6 WritingtheConstitutionTheFederalSystemand
SeparationofPowers 12 ArticleITheLegislativeBranch 17 HowaBillBecomesaLaw 29 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranch 34 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranch 41 ChecksandBalances 47 ArticlesIVndashVII 51 TheAmendments 57
Part Three The US Flag 67 DisplayingtheFlag 67
Part Four The Illinois Constitution 71 Introduction 71 ArticlesIndashIII 73 ArticleIVTheStateLegislativeBranch 77 ArticleVTheStateExecutiveBranch 84 ArticleVITheStateJudicialBranch 89 ArticlesVIIndashXIV 95
Part Five Glossary 103
Part Six Answers111
TO THE STUDENT
The materials contained in this Study Guide cover all of the topics found on the
constitution test You will be studying the Declaration of Independence the
United States Constitution the US flag and the Illinois Constitution If you study
these materials you will be able to successfully pass the constitution test
This Study Guide is divided into lessons Each lesson includes specific directions
to assist you Most lessons begin with a list of vocabulary words and their
definitions This vocabulary will help you understand the reading portion of the
ɭɦɴɴɰɯˈ ɸɩɪɤɩ ɪɴ ɤɢɭɭɦɥ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯˇȄ
Tɩɦɳɦ ɪɴ ɢ Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɵ ɵɩɦ ɦɯɥ ɰɧ ɦɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɰɷɦɳ ɵɩɦ ɵɦɳɮɴ ɪɯ ɵɩɦ ɭɦɴɴɰɯˇ
Eɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɢɭɴɰ ɤɰɯɵɢɪɯɴ ɢ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɧɵɦɳ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯȄ
section This quiz has questions about the reading portion of the lesson All
ɢɯɴɸɦɳɴ ɵɰ ɵɩɦ ˛Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɯɥ ɵɩɦ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɳɦ ɧɰɶɯɥ
in Part Six of this Study Guide
If you complete all of the lessons in this Study Guide you will be prepared to take
the constitution test This test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions You must
have a minimum of 30 answers correct in order to pass the test
Good luck
ParT one The deClaraTion of indePendenCe
declaring independence
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheDeclarationofIndependenceReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
America declared its independence from England on July 4 1776 One of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson Three important topics in the Declaration of Independence are explainedbelow
1 OnetopicwasthestatementofthetheoryofAmericanGovernment ThistheoryistheoneonwhichtheUSConstitutionisbasedwhich isthatthegovernmentworksforitscitizensthecitizensdonoexist forthegoodofthegovernment
2 AnothermajortopicwasthelistingofwrongsdonetoAmericansby theEnglishgovernmentThesestatementswereneededtoshowthe worldthattheAmericanpeoplehadgoodreasonsforoverthrowing theEnglishgovernmentinAmerica
3 The most basic idea of our government found in the Declaration of Independence is that government derives its power from the people
excerpts from the declaration of independence Paragraph 1 ndash Preamble
Paragraph 2 ndash Philosophy of Government Paragraph 3 ndash actual declaration of separation
The declaration of independence
Action of Second Continental Congress July 4 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human EventsitbecomesnecessaryforonePeopletodissolvethePolitical BandswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanotherandtoassumeamongthePowersoftheEarth theseparateandequalStationtowhichtheLawsofNatureandofNaturersquosGodentitlethema decentRespect to theOpinionsofMankindrequires that theyshoulddeclare thecauseswhich impelthemtotheSeparation
WE holdtheseTruthstobeself-evidentthatallMenarecreatedequalthattheyareendowedby theirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRightsthatamongtheseareLifeLibertyandthePursuitof HappinessmdashThattosecuretheseRightsGovernmentsareinstitutedamongMenderivingtheir justPowersfromtheConsentoftheGovernedthatwheneveranyFormofGovernmentbecomes destructiveoftheseEndsitistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishitandtoinstitutenew GovernmentlayingitsFoundationonsuchPrinciplesandorganizingitsPowersinsuchFormas tothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirSafetyandHappinessPrudenceindeedwilldictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes and accordinglyallExperiencehathshewnthatMankindaremoredisposedtosufferwhileEvilsare sufferablethantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheFormstowhichtheyareaccustomedBut when a long Train ofAbuses and Usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a DesigntoreducethemunderabsoluteDespotism it is theirRight it is theirDuty tothrowoff suchGovernmentandtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfutureSecuritySuchhasbeenthepatient SufferanceoftheseColoniesandsuchisnowtheNecessitywhichconstrainsthemtoaltertheir formerSystemsofGovernmentTheHistoryofthepresentKingofGreat-BritainisaHistoryof repeated InjuriesandUsurpations all having indirectObject theEstablishmentof an absolute TyrannyovertheseStatesToprovethisletFactsbesubmittedtoacandidWorld
WE therefore the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESSAssembledappealingtotheSupremeJudgeof theWorldfortheRectitudeofour Intentions do in the Name and byAuthority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly Publish and Declare That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be FREEAND INDEPENDENTSTATESthattheyareabsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrownandthat allpoliticalConnectionbetween themand theStateofGreat-Britain isandought tobe totally dissolvedand thatasFREEANDINDEPENDENTSTATES theyhave fullPower to levyWar concludePeacecontractAlliancesestablishCommerceandtodoallotherActsandThingswhich INDEPENDENTSTATESmayof rightdoAnd for thesupportof thisDeclarationwitha firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our Lives ourFortunesandoursacredHonor
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
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7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
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7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
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7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
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15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
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Table of ConTenTs
Part One The Declaration of Independence 1 DeclaringIndependence 1 ExcerptsfromtheDeclarationofIndependence 2
Part Two The US Constitution 5 USConstitutionOutline 5 WritingtheConstitutionIntroduction 6 WritingtheConstitutionTheFederalSystemand
SeparationofPowers 12 ArticleITheLegislativeBranch 17 HowaBillBecomesaLaw 29 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranch 34 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranch 41 ChecksandBalances 47 ArticlesIVndashVII 51 TheAmendments 57
Part Three The US Flag 67 DisplayingtheFlag 67
Part Four The Illinois Constitution 71 Introduction 71 ArticlesIndashIII 73 ArticleIVTheStateLegislativeBranch 77 ArticleVTheStateExecutiveBranch 84 ArticleVITheStateJudicialBranch 89 ArticlesVIIndashXIV 95
Part Five Glossary 103
Part Six Answers111
TO THE STUDENT
The materials contained in this Study Guide cover all of the topics found on the
constitution test You will be studying the Declaration of Independence the
United States Constitution the US flag and the Illinois Constitution If you study
these materials you will be able to successfully pass the constitution test
This Study Guide is divided into lessons Each lesson includes specific directions
to assist you Most lessons begin with a list of vocabulary words and their
definitions This vocabulary will help you understand the reading portion of the
ɭɦɴɴɰɯˈ ɸɩɪɤɩ ɪɴ ɤɢɭɭɦɥ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯˇȄ
Tɩɦɳɦ ɪɴ ɢ Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɵ ɵɩɦ ɦɯɥ ɰɧ ɦɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɰɷɦɳ ɵɩɦ ɵɦɳɮɴ ɪɯ ɵɩɦ ɭɦɴɴɰɯˇ
Eɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɢɭɴɰ ɤɰɯɵɢɪɯɴ ɢ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɧɵɦɳ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯȄ
section This quiz has questions about the reading portion of the lesson All
ɢɯɴɸɦɳɴ ɵɰ ɵɩɦ ˛Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɯɥ ɵɩɦ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɳɦ ɧɰɶɯɥ
in Part Six of this Study Guide
If you complete all of the lessons in this Study Guide you will be prepared to take
the constitution test This test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions You must
have a minimum of 30 answers correct in order to pass the test
Good luck
ParT one The deClaraTion of indePendenCe
declaring independence
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheDeclarationofIndependenceReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
America declared its independence from England on July 4 1776 One of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson Three important topics in the Declaration of Independence are explainedbelow
1 OnetopicwasthestatementofthetheoryofAmericanGovernment ThistheoryistheoneonwhichtheUSConstitutionisbasedwhich isthatthegovernmentworksforitscitizensthecitizensdonoexist forthegoodofthegovernment
2 AnothermajortopicwasthelistingofwrongsdonetoAmericansby theEnglishgovernmentThesestatementswereneededtoshowthe worldthattheAmericanpeoplehadgoodreasonsforoverthrowing theEnglishgovernmentinAmerica
3 The most basic idea of our government found in the Declaration of Independence is that government derives its power from the people
excerpts from the declaration of independence Paragraph 1 ndash Preamble
Paragraph 2 ndash Philosophy of Government Paragraph 3 ndash actual declaration of separation
The declaration of independence
Action of Second Continental Congress July 4 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human EventsitbecomesnecessaryforonePeopletodissolvethePolitical BandswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanotherandtoassumeamongthePowersoftheEarth theseparateandequalStationtowhichtheLawsofNatureandofNaturersquosGodentitlethema decentRespect to theOpinionsofMankindrequires that theyshoulddeclare thecauseswhich impelthemtotheSeparation
WE holdtheseTruthstobeself-evidentthatallMenarecreatedequalthattheyareendowedby theirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRightsthatamongtheseareLifeLibertyandthePursuitof HappinessmdashThattosecuretheseRightsGovernmentsareinstitutedamongMenderivingtheir justPowersfromtheConsentoftheGovernedthatwheneveranyFormofGovernmentbecomes destructiveoftheseEndsitistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishitandtoinstitutenew GovernmentlayingitsFoundationonsuchPrinciplesandorganizingitsPowersinsuchFormas tothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirSafetyandHappinessPrudenceindeedwilldictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes and accordinglyallExperiencehathshewnthatMankindaremoredisposedtosufferwhileEvilsare sufferablethantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheFormstowhichtheyareaccustomedBut when a long Train ofAbuses and Usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a DesigntoreducethemunderabsoluteDespotism it is theirRight it is theirDuty tothrowoff suchGovernmentandtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfutureSecuritySuchhasbeenthepatient SufferanceoftheseColoniesandsuchisnowtheNecessitywhichconstrainsthemtoaltertheir formerSystemsofGovernmentTheHistoryofthepresentKingofGreat-BritainisaHistoryof repeated InjuriesandUsurpations all having indirectObject theEstablishmentof an absolute TyrannyovertheseStatesToprovethisletFactsbesubmittedtoacandidWorld
WE therefore the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESSAssembledappealingtotheSupremeJudgeof theWorldfortheRectitudeofour Intentions do in the Name and byAuthority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly Publish and Declare That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be FREEAND INDEPENDENTSTATESthattheyareabsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrownandthat allpoliticalConnectionbetween themand theStateofGreat-Britain isandought tobe totally dissolvedand thatasFREEANDINDEPENDENTSTATES theyhave fullPower to levyWar concludePeacecontractAlliancesestablishCommerceandtodoallotherActsandThingswhich INDEPENDENTSTATESmayof rightdoAnd for thesupportof thisDeclarationwitha firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our Lives ourFortunesandoursacredHonor
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
TO THE STUDENT
The materials contained in this Study Guide cover all of the topics found on the
constitution test You will be studying the Declaration of Independence the
United States Constitution the US flag and the Illinois Constitution If you study
these materials you will be able to successfully pass the constitution test
This Study Guide is divided into lessons Each lesson includes specific directions
to assist you Most lessons begin with a list of vocabulary words and their
definitions This vocabulary will help you understand the reading portion of the
ɭɦɴɴɰɯˈ ɸɩɪɤɩ ɪɴ ɤɢɭɭɦɥ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯˇȄ
Tɩɦɳɦ ɪɴ ɢ Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɵ ɵɩɦ ɦɯɥ ɰɧ ɦɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɰɷɦɳ ɵɩɦ ɵɦɳɮɴ ɪɯ ɵɩɦ ɭɦɴɴɰɯˇ
Eɢɤɩ ɭɦɴɴɰɯ ɢɭɴɰ ɤɰɯɵɢɪɯɴ ɢ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɧɵɦɳ ɵɩɦ ˛EɹɱɭɢɯɢɵɪɰɯȄ
section This quiz has questions about the reading portion of the lesson All
ɢɯɴɸɦɳɴ ɵɰ ɵɩɦ ˛Vɰɤɢɣɶɭɢɳɺ QɶɪɻȄ ɢɯɥ ɵɩɦ ˛Fɰɤɶɴ Yɰɶɳ RɦɢɥɪɯɨȄ ɲɶɪɻ ɢɳɦ ɧɰɶɯɥ
in Part Six of this Study Guide
If you complete all of the lessons in this Study Guide you will be prepared to take
the constitution test This test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions You must
have a minimum of 30 answers correct in order to pass the test
Good luck
ParT one The deClaraTion of indePendenCe
declaring independence
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheDeclarationofIndependenceReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
America declared its independence from England on July 4 1776 One of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson Three important topics in the Declaration of Independence are explainedbelow
1 OnetopicwasthestatementofthetheoryofAmericanGovernment ThistheoryistheoneonwhichtheUSConstitutionisbasedwhich isthatthegovernmentworksforitscitizensthecitizensdonoexist forthegoodofthegovernment
2 AnothermajortopicwasthelistingofwrongsdonetoAmericansby theEnglishgovernmentThesestatementswereneededtoshowthe worldthattheAmericanpeoplehadgoodreasonsforoverthrowing theEnglishgovernmentinAmerica
3 The most basic idea of our government found in the Declaration of Independence is that government derives its power from the people
excerpts from the declaration of independence Paragraph 1 ndash Preamble
Paragraph 2 ndash Philosophy of Government Paragraph 3 ndash actual declaration of separation
The declaration of independence
Action of Second Continental Congress July 4 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human EventsitbecomesnecessaryforonePeopletodissolvethePolitical BandswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanotherandtoassumeamongthePowersoftheEarth theseparateandequalStationtowhichtheLawsofNatureandofNaturersquosGodentitlethema decentRespect to theOpinionsofMankindrequires that theyshoulddeclare thecauseswhich impelthemtotheSeparation
WE holdtheseTruthstobeself-evidentthatallMenarecreatedequalthattheyareendowedby theirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRightsthatamongtheseareLifeLibertyandthePursuitof HappinessmdashThattosecuretheseRightsGovernmentsareinstitutedamongMenderivingtheir justPowersfromtheConsentoftheGovernedthatwheneveranyFormofGovernmentbecomes destructiveoftheseEndsitistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishitandtoinstitutenew GovernmentlayingitsFoundationonsuchPrinciplesandorganizingitsPowersinsuchFormas tothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirSafetyandHappinessPrudenceindeedwilldictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes and accordinglyallExperiencehathshewnthatMankindaremoredisposedtosufferwhileEvilsare sufferablethantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheFormstowhichtheyareaccustomedBut when a long Train ofAbuses and Usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a DesigntoreducethemunderabsoluteDespotism it is theirRight it is theirDuty tothrowoff suchGovernmentandtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfutureSecuritySuchhasbeenthepatient SufferanceoftheseColoniesandsuchisnowtheNecessitywhichconstrainsthemtoaltertheir formerSystemsofGovernmentTheHistoryofthepresentKingofGreat-BritainisaHistoryof repeated InjuriesandUsurpations all having indirectObject theEstablishmentof an absolute TyrannyovertheseStatesToprovethisletFactsbesubmittedtoacandidWorld
WE therefore the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESSAssembledappealingtotheSupremeJudgeof theWorldfortheRectitudeofour Intentions do in the Name and byAuthority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly Publish and Declare That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be FREEAND INDEPENDENTSTATESthattheyareabsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrownandthat allpoliticalConnectionbetween themand theStateofGreat-Britain isandought tobe totally dissolvedand thatasFREEANDINDEPENDENTSTATES theyhave fullPower to levyWar concludePeacecontractAlliancesestablishCommerceandtodoallotherActsandThingswhich INDEPENDENTSTATESmayof rightdoAnd for thesupportof thisDeclarationwitha firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our Lives ourFortunesandoursacredHonor
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
ParT one The deClaraTion of indePendenCe
declaring independence
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheDeclarationofIndependenceReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
America declared its independence from England on July 4 1776 One of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson Three important topics in the Declaration of Independence are explainedbelow
1 OnetopicwasthestatementofthetheoryofAmericanGovernment ThistheoryistheoneonwhichtheUSConstitutionisbasedwhich isthatthegovernmentworksforitscitizensthecitizensdonoexist forthegoodofthegovernment
2 AnothermajortopicwasthelistingofwrongsdonetoAmericansby theEnglishgovernmentThesestatementswereneededtoshowthe worldthattheAmericanpeoplehadgoodreasonsforoverthrowing theEnglishgovernmentinAmerica
3 The most basic idea of our government found in the Declaration of Independence is that government derives its power from the people
excerpts from the declaration of independence Paragraph 1 ndash Preamble
Paragraph 2 ndash Philosophy of Government Paragraph 3 ndash actual declaration of separation
The declaration of independence
Action of Second Continental Congress July 4 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human EventsitbecomesnecessaryforonePeopletodissolvethePolitical BandswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanotherandtoassumeamongthePowersoftheEarth theseparateandequalStationtowhichtheLawsofNatureandofNaturersquosGodentitlethema decentRespect to theOpinionsofMankindrequires that theyshoulddeclare thecauseswhich impelthemtotheSeparation
WE holdtheseTruthstobeself-evidentthatallMenarecreatedequalthattheyareendowedby theirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRightsthatamongtheseareLifeLibertyandthePursuitof HappinessmdashThattosecuretheseRightsGovernmentsareinstitutedamongMenderivingtheir justPowersfromtheConsentoftheGovernedthatwheneveranyFormofGovernmentbecomes destructiveoftheseEndsitistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishitandtoinstitutenew GovernmentlayingitsFoundationonsuchPrinciplesandorganizingitsPowersinsuchFormas tothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirSafetyandHappinessPrudenceindeedwilldictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes and accordinglyallExperiencehathshewnthatMankindaremoredisposedtosufferwhileEvilsare sufferablethantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheFormstowhichtheyareaccustomedBut when a long Train ofAbuses and Usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a DesigntoreducethemunderabsoluteDespotism it is theirRight it is theirDuty tothrowoff suchGovernmentandtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfutureSecuritySuchhasbeenthepatient SufferanceoftheseColoniesandsuchisnowtheNecessitywhichconstrainsthemtoaltertheir formerSystemsofGovernmentTheHistoryofthepresentKingofGreat-BritainisaHistoryof repeated InjuriesandUsurpations all having indirectObject theEstablishmentof an absolute TyrannyovertheseStatesToprovethisletFactsbesubmittedtoacandidWorld
WE therefore the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESSAssembledappealingtotheSupremeJudgeof theWorldfortheRectitudeofour Intentions do in the Name and byAuthority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly Publish and Declare That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be FREEAND INDEPENDENTSTATESthattheyareabsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrownandthat allpoliticalConnectionbetween themand theStateofGreat-Britain isandought tobe totally dissolvedand thatasFREEANDINDEPENDENTSTATES theyhave fullPower to levyWar concludePeacecontractAlliancesestablishCommerceandtodoallotherActsandThingswhich INDEPENDENTSTATESmayof rightdoAnd for thesupportof thisDeclarationwitha firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our Lives ourFortunesandoursacredHonor
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
excerpts from the declaration of independence Paragraph 1 ndash Preamble
Paragraph 2 ndash Philosophy of Government Paragraph 3 ndash actual declaration of separation
The declaration of independence
Action of Second Continental Congress July 4 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human EventsitbecomesnecessaryforonePeopletodissolvethePolitical BandswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanotherandtoassumeamongthePowersoftheEarth theseparateandequalStationtowhichtheLawsofNatureandofNaturersquosGodentitlethema decentRespect to theOpinionsofMankindrequires that theyshoulddeclare thecauseswhich impelthemtotheSeparation
WE holdtheseTruthstobeself-evidentthatallMenarecreatedequalthattheyareendowedby theirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRightsthatamongtheseareLifeLibertyandthePursuitof HappinessmdashThattosecuretheseRightsGovernmentsareinstitutedamongMenderivingtheir justPowersfromtheConsentoftheGovernedthatwheneveranyFormofGovernmentbecomes destructiveoftheseEndsitistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishitandtoinstitutenew GovernmentlayingitsFoundationonsuchPrinciplesandorganizingitsPowersinsuchFormas tothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirSafetyandHappinessPrudenceindeedwilldictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes and accordinglyallExperiencehathshewnthatMankindaremoredisposedtosufferwhileEvilsare sufferablethantorightthemselvesbyabolishingtheFormstowhichtheyareaccustomedBut when a long Train ofAbuses and Usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a DesigntoreducethemunderabsoluteDespotism it is theirRight it is theirDuty tothrowoff suchGovernmentandtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfutureSecuritySuchhasbeenthepatient SufferanceoftheseColoniesandsuchisnowtheNecessitywhichconstrainsthemtoaltertheir formerSystemsofGovernmentTheHistoryofthepresentKingofGreat-BritainisaHistoryof repeated InjuriesandUsurpations all having indirectObject theEstablishmentof an absolute TyrannyovertheseStatesToprovethisletFactsbesubmittedtoacandidWorld
WE therefore the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OFAMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESSAssembledappealingtotheSupremeJudgeof theWorldfortheRectitudeofour Intentions do in the Name and byAuthority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly Publish and Declare That these United Colonies are and of Right ought to be FREEAND INDEPENDENTSTATESthattheyareabsolvedfromallAllegiancetotheBritishCrownandthat allpoliticalConnectionbetween themand theStateofGreat-Britain isandought tobe totally dissolvedand thatasFREEANDINDEPENDENTSTATES theyhave fullPower to levyWar concludePeacecontractAlliancesestablishCommerceandtodoallotherActsandThingswhich INDEPENDENTSTATESmayof rightdoAnd for thesupportof thisDeclarationwitha firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our Lives ourFortunesandoursacredHonor
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
all 71B bull M
acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 What are two main topics covered in the Declaration of Independence
2 WhatisthetheoryofAmericangovernment
3 WhatwasthedateonwhichtheDeclarationofIndependencebecame effective
4 Who was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence
ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
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7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
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7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
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ParT Two The us ConsTiTuTion
us Constitution outline
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I Legislative Branch ndash Its function is to make the laws Section1 Congress Section2 HouseofRepresentatives Section3 Senate Section4 Elections Section5 RulesofOrder Section6 PayPrivileges Section7 Howbillsbecomelaws Section8 PowersofCongress Section9 PowersforbiddentotheCongress Section10 PowersforbiddentotheStates
ARTICLE II Executive Branch ndash Its function is to enforce to execute and to carry out the laws
Section1 Election
Section2 Powers
Section3 Duties
Section4 Impeachment
ARTICLE III Judicial Branch ndash Its function is to interpret the laws Section1 Federalcourtsjudges Section2 Jurisdiction Section3 Treason
ARTICLE IV Relations Among the States Section1 Statesrsquorightsfullfaithandcredit Section2 Citizenshiprights Section3 Admittingnewstates Section4 Guaranteestostates
ARTICLE V Amending the Constitution
ARTICLE VI Supreme Law of the Land
ARTICLE VII Ratification
AMENDMENTS
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
writing the Constitution introduction
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
Note TheldquoGlossaryrdquomaycontainadditional informationon someofthelessonsrsquovocabularywords
1 Central national federal government AllthesewordsrefertothegovernmentinWashingtonDCwhich isheadedbythePresident
Special noteCentralnationalandfederalareusedinterchangeably throughout the Study GuideAll refer to the government located inWashingtonDC
2 Congress ndash Article I Section 1 TheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeuptheCongress TheCongressisthelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment
3 Legislative Branch ndash Article I Thelawmakingbranchofthefederalgovernment(Congress)
4 Executive Branch ndash Article II Thebranchof the federalgovernmentwhichhas the responsibility to enforce or execute the laws (President Vice President and the Cabinet)
5 Judicial Branch ndash Article III Thebranchofthefederalgovernmentwhichhasthetaskofinterpreting thelawsandtheConstitution(thecourtsystem)
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
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_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
all 71B bull M
acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
6 Amendment ndash Article V AnadditionorchangetotheUSConstitution
7 Separation of Powers Separating the power of government among the three branches (1)Legislative(2)Executiveand(3)Judicial
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewritingoftheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswersto theldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ThefirstplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStateswaswrittenin1777but wasnotratifieduntil1781ThisplanwascalledtheArticlesofConfederation Theplanfailedbecauseitgavetoolittlepowertothefederalgovernment andtoomuchpowertoeachstateThestatesfailedtoworktogetherandthe USgovernmentwastooweakInMay1787CongressmetinPhiladelphia totryagaintowriteaplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesThismeeting isoftencalledthePhiladelphiaConstitutionalConventionof1787
ThistimetheCongressplannedtomakethenationalgovernmentstronger thanallthestategovernmentsTheConstitutionwaswrittenin1787was ratified in1788andwent intoeffectonMarch41789 JamesMadison is knownastheldquoFatheroftheConstitutionrdquo
AtthetimeofthewritingoftheConstitutiontherewerethirteenstatesThe menwhowrotetheConstitutionagreedthatitwouldbecometheldquolawof thelandrdquowhenonlyninestatesacceptedit
Some of the states accepted the document quickly but some delegates wanted guarantees of personal freedoms It was agreed to add amendments to the Constitution so that more states would ratify it
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
TheConstitutionisdividedintothreeparts
1 The Preamble Thefirstpartisaone-sentenceintroductioncalledthe PreambleThePreamblecontainsnolawsbutitrestatesthemainidea thatThomasJeffersonhadsetforththeDeclarationofIndependence ThePreambleemphasizesthatthepowerofgovernmentisderived fromthepeopleThegovernmentistobetheservantofthepeople notthemasterofthepeople
We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice insure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
2 The Articles The second part of the Constitution is seven separate articlesEacharticlegivestheplanforapartofthegovernment
ArticleI TheLegislativeBranch(makesthelaws) ArticleII TheExecutiveBranch(enforcesthelaws) ArticleIII TheJudicialBranch(interpretsthelaws) ArticleIV RelationsAmongtheStates ArticleV AmendingtheConstitution ArticleVI SupremeLawoftheLand ArticleVII Ratification(orapproval)
3 The Amendments The thirdpartof theConstitutionconsistsof the amendmentsAs had been promised the first Congress to meet after the Constitution became law added ten amendments to the ConstitutionThesefirsttenamendmentsarecalledtheBillofRights Theyguaranteepersonal freedoms toyouand eachAmericanThe BillofRightswentintoforceonDecember151791
Since the addition of the Bill of Rights 17 additional amendments havebeenaddedtotheConstitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
all 71B bull M
acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Centralnationalfederal a PresidentVicePresident andtheCabinet
_______2 Congress b TheSenateandtheHouse ofRepresentatives
_______3 LegislativeBranch c Thecourtsandjudgesmake upthisbranchofthefederal government
_______4 ExecutiveBranch d Thelawmakers(Congress) makeupthisbranchofthe federalgovernment
_______5 JudicialBranch e Namesforthemain governmentoftheUnited Statesthisgovernmentisin WashingtonDC
_______6 Amendment f Achangetothe Constitution
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
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_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatwas thenameof the firstplanofgovernment for theUnited States
2 Whatwaswrongwiththisplanofgovernment
3 Inwhatyearwastheconstitutionalconventionheld
4 Wherewastheconstitutionalconventionheld
5 WhatisthemainideauponwhichtheUSgovernmentisfounded (statedintheDeclarationofIndependenceandinthePreamble)
6 HowmanyarticlesarethereintheConstitution
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
learinghouse bull Western Illinois U
niversity bull Horrabin H
all 71B bull M
acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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7 Whendidwegetthefirsttenamendments
8 Whyarethefirsttenamendmentssoimportanttoyou
9 NamethethreepartsoftheConstitution
10 What are three terms often used to refer to the government in WashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
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employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
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acomb IL 61455 bull (800) 322-3905
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Federal system of government (Federalism) This is the system of government designed by the writers of the ConstitutionItisaunionofstatesunderacentralgovernmentThe centralgovernmentisthemostpowerfulThiscentralgovernmentis separatefromthegovernmentsofthestates
2 Delegated powers ndash Article I Section 8 These18powersareenumerated(listed)intheConstitutionTheyare thepowersgiventothefederallawmakers(Congress)
3 Reserved powers ndash 10th Amendment These are powers not given to Congress If these powers are not forbiddentothestatesthe10thAmendmentsaystheybelongeither tothestatesortothepeople
4 Implied powers ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 18 ThesepowersarenotstatedintheConstitutionbutareldquohintedatrdquoin ArticleIThesearethepowersCongressassumesinordertocarryout thedelegatedpowersThisclauseissometimescalledtheldquonecessary andproperrdquoclauseortheldquoelasticrdquoclause
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
ois C
om
mu
nity C
olleg
e Bo
ard ensures equal
employm
enteducational opportunitiesaffirmative action regardless of race sex color
national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
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explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingofthe
federalsystemandseparationofpowersinthefederalgovernment ReadtofindanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The men who wrote the Constitution designed the federal system of governmentThissystemdividedthepowersofgovernmentbetweenthe national(federal)governmentandthestategovernmentsThissystemisalso calledldquofederalismrdquoThepowersgiventothefederalgovernmentarecalled delegatedpowers(ArticleISection8)Thestateswereallowedtokeepsome powersandthesearecalledreservedpowers(10thAmendment)
What are the 18 powers delegated to the Congress Powers delegated to the federal government are of two types (1) expressed powers and (2)impliedpowers
(1) Thereare17expressedpowersinArticleIThesearesometimescalled enumeratedpowersbecausetheyarelistedandcanbecounted
Afterlistingthe17expressedpowersthewritersoftheConstitutionknew thattheyhadnotthoughtofeverypowertheCongressmightneedThus theyaddeda clauseat theendof theenumerationof thesepowersThis clauseisoftencalledtheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoorldquoelasticrdquoclause
(2) The ldquonecessary and properrdquo or ldquoelasticrdquo clause states in part that Congressshallhavethepowertoldquomakealllawsnecessaryandproper for carrying into execution the foregoing (17 expressed) powersrdquo ThepowersassumedbyCongressasaresultofthisclausearecalled impliedpowers
What are reserved powers Thepowers reserved to the statesare thosenot enumeratedasbelongingtotheUSCongressThe10thAmendmentisthe lastamendmentintheBillofRightsItstatesthatifapowerisnotgivento CongressbytheConstitutionnorprohibitedtothestatesthepowerbelongs tothestatesortothepeople
ForexamplesincetheConstitutiondoesnotmentioneducationmarriage divorce or voter qualifications (other than age) each state may make lawsgoverningthem
What is the separation of powers The writers of the Constitution did not wantanyofthethreebranchesofthenationalgovernmenttobecometoo powerfulTokeepanyonebranchof thegovernmentfrombecomingtoo strongthewritersdividedthepowersofthefederalgovernmentamongthe threeThethreebranchesofthefederalgovernmentare(1)theLegislative (ArticleI)(2)theExecutive(ArticleII)and(3)theJudicial(ArticleIII)This divisionintothreebranchesiscalledtheldquoseparationofpowersrdquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Federalsystemof a Powersnotgiventothe government(federalism) federalgovernmentbythe
Constitution
_______2 Delegatedpowers b Stategovernmentsunited underonestrongercentral government
_______3 Reservedpowers c Powersldquohintedrdquoatbythe ldquonecessaryandproperrdquo clauseofArticleI
_______4 Impliedpowers d Eighteenpowerslistedin ArticleIpowersgivento theUSCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisthefederalsystemofgovernment
2 Article I (The Legislative Branch) gives ________ (number) powers totheUSCongress
3 WheredoesCongressgettheauthoritytousepowersotherthanthe oneslistedinArticleI
4 Howdoeseachstategetitspower
5 Howmanybranchesarethereinthefederalgovernment
6 Whatarethenamesofthebranches
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Whatisthedivisionofpowerswithinthefederalgovernmentmost oftencalled
8 Which article describes and explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
9 Which article describes and explains the Executive Branch (the Presidentandadvisors)
10 WhicharticledescribesandexplainstheJudicialBranch(thecourts andjudges)
article i The legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Compromise Inadisagreementbothsidesmayldquogiverdquoalittlesoasettlementcan be reached This ldquogivingrdquo and the resulting settlement are called acompromise
2 Impeachment ndash Article I Section 2 Clauses 5-7 Toaccuseapublicofficialofbreakingtheruleswhichstatehowone should act while in office The House of Representatives accuses federalofficialsofbreakingtherulesIftheHouseofRepresentatives hasenoughevidenceagainsttheofficialstheyareputonldquotrialrdquoThe Senateisthejuryintheldquotrialrdquo
3 Census ndash Article I Section 2 AcountingofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateseverytenyears
4 Apportionment ndash Article I Section 2 Thedeterminationofthenumberofmemberseachstateisallowedin theUSHouseofRepresentativesThisdeterminationmustbemade every ten years after each census Each state gets a portion of the total 435 representatives The number of representatives each state getsisbasedontheportionofthetotalUSpopulationthatlivesin each state Currently one representative represents approximately 645000people
For example If Illinois has 4 of the total US population living here then Illinoisgets to elect 4of the members of theHouseof Representatives
5 Concurrent Thesearethepowersboththestateandfederalgovernmentshaveat thesametimeAnexampleisthepowertotax
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article I Section 9 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine ifheor she isbeingheld lawfullyHere theprisonermustbe told thereasonforhisorherarrest
7 Bill of Attainder ndash Article I Section 9 In England abill of attainder was an act of Parliament (Englandrsquos legislative body) By it people could be tried and judged ldquoguiltyrdquo without a jury court or witnesses When England ruledAmerica billsofattainderwereusedbytheEnglishagainsttheAmericansOur Constitutionforbidstheuseofbillsofattainder
8 Ex post facto ndash Article I Section 9 AlawpassedafterthefactorafteranactwascommittedPeoplemay notbepunishedforwhattheydidbeforethatlawwaspassed
9 Bicameral MeansldquotwohousesrdquoThetwohousesofCongress(theSenateandthe House of Representatives) make up the Legislative Branch When the writers of the Constitution made the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo the resultwasabicamerallegislatureTheSenateissometimesreferred to as the ldquoupper houserdquo and the House of Representatives as the ldquolowerhouserdquo
10 Eminent domain ndash 5th Amendment A governmental body taking private property for public use and givingafairpricefortheproperty
11 President pro tempore ndash Article I Section 3 The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate When he or she cannot attend meetings of the Senate an elected temporary leader is in charge The elected temporary leader of the Senate is the President pro tempore The President pro tempore is in line to succeedtothePresidencyfollowingtheVicePresidentandSpeaker oftheHouseofRepresentatives
12 Lay ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 1 Animposingandcollectingofatax
13 Great Compromise ndash Article I Sections 2 and 3 Knownas theConnecticutCompromise itwasproposedbyRoger ShermanThecompromisestatesthattheLegislativeBranchwould havetwohouses(1)theupperhouseistheSenatecomprisedoftwo Senators from each state and (2) the lower house is the House of Representativeswhosemembershipisbasedonpopulation
14 Coin ndash Article I Section 8 Clause 5 Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theLegislativeBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIexplainsthelawsgoverningtheLegislativeBranchofthefederal governmentTheLegislativeBranchiscalledCongressCongressismade upof theSenate and the House of Representatives It isCongressrsquos duty to make the laws for our nation The Constitution requires the Congress tomeetatleastonceeachyear
What was the ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo The Philadelphia Constitutional Conventionin1787hadtosettleseveralargumentsamongthestatesThe small states wanted to keep the powers they had under theArticles of
ConfederationThelargestatesthoughttheyneededmorepowerthanthe small states because they had more people The small states wanted as muchpoweras the largeonesAcompromisewasworkedoutwhen the large and small states agreed they would divide the lawmaking branch intotwohouses
bull The large states were satisfied by the creation of the House of Representatives In the House members are elected on the basis of each statersquos population thus the large states were given more representatives
bull ThesmallstatesweresatisfiedbecauseofthecreationoftheSenate IntheSenateeachstatewasallowedtwosenatorsThustheinterests ofthesmallstateswereprotectedintheSenate
How do we elect senators and representatives The lawmakers in each state decide how the elections for the US Congress shall be conducted Until 1913 the lawmakers in each state elected the US Senators The 17th Amendment changed this The people of each state now directly elect theirsenators
How many senators does each state haveEachstatehastwosenators
How many representatives does each state haveSince1790thepopulationof theUShasbeencountedeverytenyearsThiscountingiscalledacensus After the census the House member seats are apportioned or divided among the states This division is based on each statersquos population This is called apportionmentAfter each census the numbers will change By actionofCongress themembershipof theUSHouseofRepresentatives issetat435
0
a Comparison of senators and representatives
Senators Representatives
Whatistheminimumage 30 25
Whatisthetotalnumber 100 435
Whatisthelengthofterm 6years 2years
Wheremustheorshelive Inthestateheorsherepresents
Howlongmustheorshe havebeenaUScitizen 9years 7years
Howareseatsapportioned 2perstate totalUSpopulation livinginthestate
Whatisthefunctionin impeachmentproceedings Actsasjuryifthe Accusestheofficial Housepresents enoughevidence totrytheofficial
Whoistheleader aVicePresident Electedspeaker oftheUS bPresident protempore
ThisisanexampleofhowtheUSHouseofRepresentativesisapportioned afteracensus
What are the powers of Congress TheLegislativeBranch (Congress)has18 powersdelegatedtoitbytheUSConstitutionThesearereferredtoasthe delegatedpowersHerearesomeofthemostimportantpowers
bull Layandcollecttaxes bull Borrowmoney bull Regulatetrade bull Coin(make)money bull Fixthestandardsofweightsandmeasures bull Set up the courts lower than the Supreme Court (The Constitution
establishedonlytheSupremeCourt)
bull Declare war (The President cannot declare war only the Congress can The President does direct the actions of the military during the war however The President is Commander-in-Chief of the ArmedForces)
bull Raiseandsupportanarmy bull GivethePresidentthepowerandtheauthoritytocalltheNational
Guardintoimmediateactivemilitaryservice bull Setuppostoffices
TheLegislativeBranchalsohasldquoimpliedpowersrdquotheCongressusesthese powers to make laws that will allow it to carry out the 17 delegated or expressedpowers
What power does Article I give the PresidentArticleIgivesthePresidentthe powertoapproveorvetothebillspassedbyCongress
What are concurrent powers The state and federal governments have some of the same powers that can be used at the same time These are called concurrent powers One example is the power to tax In the US Constitutionwehaveagraduated incometaxand in Illinoiswehavea nongraduatedincometax
Anotherconcurrentpower is therightofeminentdomainBoth thestate and federal governments may take a citizenrsquos property to use for the goodof thepublicThegovernmentmustgivethepersonafairpricefor the propertyAn example is the governmentrsquos taking a personrsquos land to buildahighway
What is Congress forbidden to doArticleISection9forbidsCongressfrom doing certain things Three of the most important are (1) to suspend the privilege of writs of habeas corpus (2) to issue bills of attainder and (3)topassexpostfactolaws
(1) Awritofhabeascorpusisaprisonerrsquosguaranteethatheorshewillbe takenintocourtandbetoldwhyheorshewasarrested
(2) AbillofattainderwasalegislativeactinEnglandcarriedoninthe13 colonieswhichallowedpeopletobepunishedwithouttrial
(3) Anexpostfactolawisa lawthatmakesanactacrimeafter ithas been committed People may not be punished for what they did beforethatlawwaspassed
What must Congress doArticleISection5statesthatCongressmustkeepa recordofthewordsspokenduringitsmeetingsThispublicationiscalled The Congressional Record
The Congress must judge if elected senators and representatives are qualifiedTheydecideiftheirelectionshavebeenheldproperlyBothhouses ofCongresscanvotetoexpelamemberiftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembership agreeRemembersenatorsandrepresentativesarenotimpeachedbecause theyareinvolvedintheimpeachmentprocess
Who leads the Congress The House of Representatives elects a Speaker who is the leader of the HouseTheSenatersquos leader is theVicePresident of the United States The Senate must also elect a leader to serve when the Vice President is absent This elected temporary leader is called the Presidentprotempore
Both the Senate and House of Representatives elect other officers which they need in order to conduct business These jobs are not named in the Constitution
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Compromise a Toaccuseapublicofficialof doingwrongwhileinoffice
_______2 Impeach b CountofpeopleintheUStaken everytenyears
_______3 Apportionment c ldquotohavethebodyofevidencerdquo
_______4 Census d ldquoafterthefactrdquo
_______5 Concurrent e Havingtwohouses
_______6 Writofhabeascorpus f Ifthisgovernmentpowerisused thetakingofpropertymustbe accompaniedbyafairprice
_______7 Billofattainder g LeaderoftheSenatewhenthe VicePresidentoftheUScannot bepresentatmeetings
_______8 Expostfactolaw h Atthesametime
_______9 Bicameral i Givingeachstatethenumberof representativesitdeservesbased onthepopulationofthestate
_______10 Eminentdomain j AnactofParliamentwhich allowedapersontobepunished withoutatrialjuryorwitnesses
_______11 Presidentprotempore k Eachsideldquogivesrdquoalittleinan argument
_______12 Lay l Imposingandcollectingatax
_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatwastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquowhichthelargeandsmallstates created
2 WhydidthecreationoftheSenatehelpsatisfythesmallstates
3 Whoelectedsenatorsbefore1913
4 WhoconductstheelectionsforCongress
5 Who determines if elected senators and representatives meet the properqualifications
6 Whatisacensus
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How often do we apportion the membership of the House of Representatives
8 WhoistheleaderoftheHouseofRepresentatives
9 WhoistheleaderoftheSenate
10 Whatarethequalificationsforsenators
11 Whatarethequalificationsforrepresentatives
12 ListfivepowersthattheConstitutionhasgiventotheCongress
13 WhatisthepowergiventothePresidentinArticleI
14 Congressisforbiddentodowhatthreethings
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
15 Whatisanexpostfactolaw
16 Whatisabillofattainder
17 Whatisawritofhabeascorpus
18 HowoftendoestheCongresshavetomeet
how a bill becomes a law (article i section 7)
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Bill Aproposedlaw
2 Appropriation bill A proposed law which will involve spending taxpayersrsquo money All bills calling for money to be spent must start in the House of Representatives
3 Presidential veto ThePresidentsendsabillbacktoCongresswithamessagethatstates thatheobjectstothebillandwhyheobjectstoit
4 Pocket veto IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdaysafter hereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignatureIfCongress adjournswithinthetenweekdayshoweverthePresidentbytaking noactioncankillthebill
5 Filibuster AstallingtacticusedbytheUSsenatorstodelayorpreventSenate actiononameasure
6 Lobbyists Peoplewhoarepaidbycertaingroups(egoilcompaniestobacco companies) to talk to congressional members or committees about theirgrouprsquospointofviewoncertainlawsLobbyistsarepeoplewho trytoinfluencemembersofCongress
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewayinwhichabillbecomesalawReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
Where can proposed laws (bills) begin Most bills can be introduced in eitherhouseofCongressTheonly typeofbill thatcannotbe introduced by either house is an appropriation bill This is a bill which involves spending taxpayersrsquo moneyAppropriation bills must begin in the House ofRepresentatives
What happens after a law is proposed If a bill is first presented by a representative in the House it is sent to a House committee which will study the bill The committee will then recommend to approve or reject thebillIfthecommitteerecommendsthatthebillbeapproveditisthen read before the House members The bill may be changed by the House membersreturnedtothecommitteeforchangesorapprovedThenthebill isreadagainbeforeHousemembersandavoteistakenIfamajority(one morethanhalf)ofthevotingmembersapprovethebillispassed
After the bill passes the House it is sent to the Senate The bill goes to a Senate committee If the Senate committee decides to change the bill senators and representatives work together to resolve differences They then return thebill tobothhouses forapprovalWhenbothhouseshave approved the bill it is sent to the PresidentA bill can also begin in the Senate(exceptappropriationbills)andthenbesenttotheHousefollowing thesameproceduresasabilloriginatingintheHouse
0
What can the President do to the bill The President can do one of these things
(1) Hemaysignthebillanditthenbecomesalaw
(2) Hemayrefusetosignthebillandreturnittothehouseinwhichit began together with his objections This objection to a bill with a messageiscalledaPresidentialveto
(3) He may keep the bill without doing anything One of two things willhappen
bull IfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintenweekdays afterhereceivesitthebillbecomeslawwithouthissignature
bull IfCongressadjournswithinthetendays(Sundaysnotincluded) the President by taking no action can kill the bill This is calledapocketveto
What can Congress do if the President vetoes a billIfCongresswantstoitcan makeavetoedbillalawiftwo-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressagreeThis iscalledldquooverridingaPresidentialvetordquo
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Bill a ThePresidentrejectsabill andsendsamessageto Congressgivinghisreasons
_______2 Appropriationbill b Abillwhichisaplanto spendtaxpayersrsquomoney
_______3 Presidentialveto c Peoplewhowantto influencemembersof Congresstopasscertain laws
_______4 Pocketveto d Asenatorrsquosmethodof delayingtheSenatersquosvoting onabill
_______5 Filibuster e Aproposedlaw
_______6 Lobbyists f ThePresidentdoesnotsign abillwithintendays (Sundaysnotincluded) afterCongressadjourns
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Which house of Congress must begin bills that involve spending taxpayersrsquomoney
2 Howmayasenatordelaythevoteonabill
3 HowmuchtimedoesthePresidenthavetovetoabill
4 WhatisaPresidentialveto
5 Whatisapocketveto
6 Peoplewhoworkforgroupsthatwanttoaffectthewaymembersof Congressvotearereferredtoaswhat
article ii The executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Cabinet ndash Article II Section 2 The Cabinet is made up of the Presidentrsquos advisors The President appointsmembersoftheExecutivedepartmentstohelphimldquoexecuterdquo thelawsTheyhaveanimportantroleindeterminingexecutivepolicy andtheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresident
2 Electoral College ndash Article II Section 1 and the 12th Amendment PeopleineachstatewhoarechosenbythevotersofthestateThese peoplearetoelectthePresidentandVicePresident
3 Majority Onemorethanhalf
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIconcernshowtheExecutiveBranchofthefederalgovernmentshall operateTheExecutiveBranchhastwoelectedofficialsthePresidentand VicePresidentTheExecutiveBranchalsoincludesExecutivedepartments TheheadsofthesedepartmentsareappointedbythePresidentandthey serveashisadvisorsTheymeetonlyattherequestofthePresidentGeorge Washington established the practice of having the heads of each of the Executive departments serve in a group as his advisors These advisors arecalled theCabinetTheExecutivedepartments theirheadsand their dutiesarelistedonthenextpage
Title
SecretaryofState
Department
Dealswithforeigncountries
SecretaryofTreasury PlansUSspendingIRSUSMint
SecretaryofDefense Looksafterthenationrsquosdefense
AttorneyGeneral Seesthatthelawswork
SecretaryoftheInterior Planstheuseandconservationofland waternationalparks
SecretaryofAgriculture Dealswithfarmprograms
SecretaryofCommerce Dealswithbusinesscensuspatents
SecretaryofLabor Dealswiththeworkforce
SecretaryofHealthand HumanServices
Promoteshealthandhumanwelfare activities
SecretaryofHousingand UrbanAffairs
Superviseshousingprograms
SecretaryofTransportation Supervisesthenationrsquostransportation systems
SecretaryofEnergy Coordinatesenergyprograms
SecretaryofEducation Dealswiththeeducationalsystem
What is the duty of the Executive BranchTheExecutiveBranchrsquosdutyisto makesurethatthelawsoftheConstitutionandthelawsmadebyCongress are followed The President and Vice President are responsible for this ldquoexecutionrdquo of the laws The President appoints with the approval of the Senate the members of the Executive departments to help carry out thelaws
When are the President and Vice President chosen The Constitution states that Congress may choose the date of the election of the President and VicePresidentCongressdecidedthattheelectionshouldbeheldonthefirst TuesdayafterthefirstMondayinNovemberofeveryfourthyear
What are the qualifications to be President or Vice PresidentThePresidentorVice Presidentmustbe(1)atleast35yearsold(2)anatural-borncitizen(bornin theUnitedStatesoroneofitsterritories)and(3)aresidentoftheUSforat leastfourteenyearsofhislife(anyfourteenyearsofhislife)
What is the Electoral CollegeItisthebodythatactuallyelectsthePresident andVicePresidentEachstatehasasmanypresidentialelectorsas ithas senators and representatives in Congress There are 538 electorsmdashthe persons representing 100 senators and 435 representatives The other three electors represent the citizens of Washington DC as provided by the23rdAmendment
Who chooses the Electoral College When citizens vote in the Presidential electionstheyareactuallyvotingforelectorsTheelectorsfromeachstate form the Electoral College The winning electors meet in December (the MondayfollowingthesecondWednesday)intheirstatecapitalstovotefor thePresidentandVicePresidentTheirvotesaresenttoWashingtonDCto becountedduringajointsession(meetingofbothhouses)ofCongress
Whose names are on the ballotsMoststatesincludingIllinoischoosetoput onlythenamesofthepoliticalpartycandidatesontheballot
Who gets each statersquos electoral votesThecandidatewhowinsthemajorityof thecitizensrsquovotesinthestategetsall thestatesrsquoelectoralvotes(Maineis theonlystatethatdoesnotgivethewinnerallthevotes)Therehavebeen onlyafewtimeswhenthestatesrsquoelectorsdidnotallvoteforthecandidate whowonthemostpopularvotes
What happens to your vote Ifyouvote for theDemocraticRepublicanor Independentpartyrsquoscandidateyouareactuallyvotingforelectorswhowill voteforyourcandidateinDecemberTheseelectorswillgettovoteiftheir candidatewinsmostofthecitizensrsquovotesinthestate
Which candidate wins the Presidential electionThecandidatewhoreceivesa majority(270outof538)oftheelectoralvotesisthePresident
What happens if no candidate for President receives a majority of the electoral votesTheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfromamongthe threepeoplewhoreceivedthemostvotesfromtheElectoralCollegeOnly twice inhistoryhas theHousechosenthePresidentThomasJefferson in 1801andJohnQuincyAdamsin1825
What is the term of office for the PresidentArticle II Section 1 of the US Constitution states ldquoThe Executive power shall be vested in a President of theUnitedStatesofAmericaHeshallholdhisofficeduring the term offouryearsrdquo
The Eightieth Congress (1947) submitted a proposed amendment to the statelegislaturesandratificationtookplacein1951The22ndAmendment statesthefollowing
NopersonshallbeelectedtotheofficeofPresidentmorethan twiceandnopersonwhohasheldtheofficeofPresidentor actedasPresidentformorethantwoyearsofatermtowhich someotherpersonwaselectedPresidentshallbeelectedtothe officeofPresidentmorethanonce
Therefore the maximum time one person can serve as President is ten years
Under what conditions can the President be removed from officeAllcivilofficers of the United States are subject to impeachment (excluding members of Congressandmilitaryofficers)Constitutionalauthoritytoimpeach(formal accusation)isvestedsolelyintheUSHouseofRepresentativesThepower to try impeachment cases resides within the US Senate ldquoThe President VicePresidentandallcivilofficersoftheUSshallberemovedfromoffice onimpeachmentforconvictionoftreasonbriberyorotherhighcrimesand misdemeanorsrdquo(ArticleIISection4)
What is Presidential successionAccordingtotheConstitutionldquoIncaseofthe removalofthePresidentfromofficeorofhisdeathresignationorinability todischargethepowersanddutiesofthesaidofficethesameshalldevolve ontheVicePresidentrdquo(ArticleIISection1)ThePresidentialSuccession Actof1947providesalineofsuccessioninthefollowingorder
Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate SecretaryofStateSecretaryoftheTreasurySecretaryofDefense AttorneyGeneralandtheSecretariesoftheInteriorAgriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and UrbanDevelopmentTransportationEnergyandEducation
According to the 20thAmendment if the President-elect is not able to assume office on Inauguration Day the Constitution provides that the VicePresident-electshallbecomePresident
What are some of the Presidentrsquos powersThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshas thepowertonominateambassadorsandtonominatejudgestothefederal courtsHeistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcescanmaketreaties (withconsentoftwo-thirdsoftheSenate)cangrantpardonsandreprieves cancallCongress intospecialsessionandcanrecognizeforeigncountries andgovernmentsArticleI(TheLegislativeBranch)alsogivesthePresident thepowertoapproveorvetolawsmadebyCongress
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhoactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident
2 MustacandidatewinamajorityofboththeElectoralandpopularvote
3 IfnocandidatereceivedamajorityoftheElectoralvoteswhochooses thePresidentfromthetopthreecandidates
4 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentisgiventhepowertodeclare war
5 WhoistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces(directsmilitary operations)duringawar
6 What are three requirements that the President and Vice President mustmeetinordertobeelected
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 How can Congress punish Executive and Judicial Branch officials forcommittingwrongs
8 Inimpeachmentactionsthe__________________accusestheofficial ofwrongdoingThe__________________triestheofficial
9 Whatbranchofthefederalgovernmentdealswithforeignnations
10 Whocanmaketreaties
11 Whomustapprovetreaties
12 HowlongcanthePresidentserve
13 WhendoestheCabinetmeet
0
article iii The Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Appeal Inlawappealmeanstorefusetoacceptthedecisionofatrialcourt andtoapplytohavethecaseheardagaininahighercourt
2 Appellate court Acourtwhichhearsappealsfromalowercourt
3 Original jurisdiction A court has original jurisdiction if it is the first court where a case is tried In the federal court system the District Courts have only original jurisdiction and the Circuit Courts ofAppeals have only appellate jurisdiction The Supreme Court has both original and appellatejurisdiction
4 Treason Fightingorworkingagainstyourowncountryduringwartime
5 Espionage Thepracticeofspyingforaforeignpowerduringtimesofpeace
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theJudicialBranchofthefederalgovernmentReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
ArticleIIIstatesthepowersanddutiesoftheJudicialBranchTheJudicial Branchhasthepowertohearcasesjudgecasesandgivedecisionsonthe caseswhichdealwiththebreakingoflawsmadebyCongress
What are the federal courts There are three types of federal courts These courtshearcases that involve thebreakingof federal lawsTheSupreme Court was the only court created by the Constitution The Constitution givesCongressthepowertocreateothercourtsCongresscreatedtwoother typesoffederalcourts(1)theUSDistrictCourts(trialcourts)and(2)the USCircuitCourtsofAppeals(appellatecourts)
CongresshasthepowertodecidethenumberofSupremeCourt justices CurrentlytherearenineSupremeCourtjustices
How are all the federal judges chosen The President nominates all federal judgesTheSenatemustapprovethe judges thePresidentchoosesbefore theycantakeoffice(ArticleIISection2)
How long do federal judges serveTheymaykeeptheir jobsas longasthey live if they have ldquogood behaviorrdquo They can retire at age 70 if they want to They can be removed only through the impeachment process (Article IIISection1)
Where must a trial be heldAtrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrime wascommitted(ArticleIIISection2)
What is treasonTreasonagainsttheUnitedStatesistheonlycrimethatis defined in theConstitutionTreason isdefinedas (1) levyingwaragainst the United States and (2) adhering to their enemies giving them aid and comfort (Article III Section 3) Treason may be committed only in
wartime In times of peace the process of working against our country iscalledespionage
What evidence is needed in order to prove treason has been committed Two witnessestotheactmusttestifyinopencourtortheaccusedpersonmust admithisorherguiltinopencourt(ArticleIIISection3)
What is the federal court system
How many What are the powers Name courtsjudges of each court
US Supreme Court Onecourtninemembers Hasoriginaljurisdiction (Eightassociatejustices incasesinvolvingstates
onechiefjustice) andforeigncountries
Hearscasesappealed
fromthefederalCourt
ofAppealsandfromthe
statecourts
US Circuit Courts Thirteencourts Hearcasesappealed of Appeals approximately160 fromtheUSDistrict
judges Courts Havenooriginal jurisdiction US District Courts Approximately Hearcasesinvolvingthe
100courts breakingoflawswritten byCongresslawsinthe Constitutionorcases betweencitizensoftwo differentstates
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Appeal a Thecourtwhereacaseis firsttried
_______2 AppellateCourt b Spyingforaforeignpower duringtimesofpeace
_______3 Originaljurisdiction c Torefusetoacceptthe decisionofalowercourt andtoapplytohavethe caseheardinahighercourt
_______4 Treason d Acourtwhichhearsappeal cases
_______5 Espionage e Fightingorworkingagainst yourowncountryduring timesofwar
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanycourtsdidtheConstitutioncreate
2 WhodecidesthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges)
3 Howmanytypesoffederalcourtsarethere
4 In what kinds of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction
5 WhatthreetypesofcasesdoUSDistrictCourtstry
6 WhattypesofcasesdotheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealstry
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Wheremustatrialbeheld
8 Whatistreason
9 What evidence must be given if a person is to be convicted of treason
10 HowmanySupremeCourtjusticesarethere
11 Howlongdofederaljudgesserve
12 Howmayfederaljudgeslosetheirjobs
Checks and balances
Vocabulary Directions Carefullyreadandstudythefollowingwordsanddefinitions
Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Judicial Review AconstitutionalprinciplebywhichtheSupremeCourtandallfederal courts can determine if Congress the President or other courts have violated the Constitution Today the principle is usually thought of as theprocessby which theSupreme Court determines if a law is constitutional The Constitution does notmdashin specific languagemdashmention or describe this principle Many scholars think therewasnoneedtodosobecauseitwasclearlyimpliedbythose whodraftedtheConstitution
2 Marbury v Madison (1803) ThisSupremeCourtcaseestablishedtheprincipleofjudicialreview JohnMarshallwastheChiefJusticewhowrotethecourtrsquosopinion
3 Checks and Balances Eachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumberofconstitutional checksbyeitherorbothoftheotherbranchesInotherwordseach branch has certain powers with which it can check the operations oftheothertwo
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theChecksandBalancessystemofthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
TheConstitutionseparatesthepowersofthefederalgovernmentintothree branchesItalsoprovidesthatthethreebranchesshouldcheckandbalance eachothersothatnoonebranchwillhavemorepowerthantheother
How does the Legislative Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheSenatecanacceptorrejectthePresidentrsquostreatiesandappointed
federaljudgesambassadorsandcabinetmembers bull The Congress can accept or reject the Presidentrsquos nomination of a
Vice President when there is a vacancy in that office according to the25thAmendment
bull TheCongresscanoverridethePresidentrsquosvetobyatwo-thirdsvote bull The Congress can remove the President Vice President or other
Executive Branch officials from office through the impeachment process
How does the Legislative Branch check the Judicial Branch bull TheCongresscanremovefederal judges throughthe impeachment
process bull TheSenatemustapprovetheappointmentofjudges
How does the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch ThePresidentcanvetothelawsthatCongressmakes
How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch TheExecutiveBranchappointsfederaljudges
How does the Judicial Branch check the Legislative Branch TheSupremeCourtcandeclarelawsmadebyCongressunconstitutional Thisprinciplecalled judicial reviewwasnotgiven to theSupremeCourt by the Constitution It was established during the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive Branch bull TheJudicialBranchcandeclarePresidentialactsunconstitutional bull InaPresidentialimpeachmentcasetheChiefJusticeoftheSupreme
CourtisthepresidingjudgeofthetrialintheSenate
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions For the first six give one
exampleofeachbranchrsquoscheckontheotherbranchesCheck youranswersintheanswersection
1 LegislativechecksExecutive
2 LegislativechecksJudicial
3 ExecutivechecksLegislative
4 ExecutivechecksJudicial
5 JudicialchecksLegislative
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
6 JudicialchecksExecutive
7 Whatisjudicialreview
8 WhatcaseestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquospowerofjudicialreview
0
articles iVndashVii
Concerning the states amending the Constitution supreme law of the land
ratification
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Extradition ndash Article IV Section 2 The governor of one state authorizes a personrsquos return to the state where he or she has been accused of a crime The governor of the accusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 Republican form of government ndash Article IV Section 4 Agovernmentwherethepowertogoverncomesfromthepeople
3 Amendment ndash Article V Anadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
4 Supreme Law of the Land ndash Article VI TheConstitutionstandsaboveallother formsof lawin theUnited StatesincludingactsofCongressandtreaties
5 Ratification ndash Article VII Toapproveorconfirmgiveofficialsanctionto
explanation
article iV Concerning the states Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaystatesworktogetherunderthefederalgovernmentRead tofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How does the Constitution ensure that the states will work together TheConstitutionstatesthefollowing
bull Allstatesmusthonorthelawsrecordsandcourtrulingsoftheother states(FullFaithandCreditclause)
bull A US citizen can travel from state to state without giving up his orherpersonalrights
bull A citizen of one state may become the citizen of another state by movingtoandlivinginthatstateEachstaterequiresthataperson live within the state for at least some period of time in order to qualifytovote
bull Ifapersonbreaksalawandfleestoanotherstatethegovernorofthe statewherethelawwasbrokencanrequestthatthelawbreakerbesent backforprosecutionThisprocessiscalledextradition
What does the Constitution say about creating new states Itstatesthefollowing
bull OnlyCongresscanadmitnewstatesintotheunion bull Anewstatecannotbecreatedbyjoiningotherstatestogetherunless
thelegislaturesofthestatesinvolvedandtheUSCongressagree
What will the federal government do for the states Thefederalgovernmentwilldothefollowing
bull Makesureeachstatehasagovernmentof thepeople(arepublican formofgovernment)
bull Protecteachstateifthecountryisatwar bull Sendsoldiers toastatewhenthestate legislatureorgovernorasks
forthem
article V amending the Constitution Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofthewaytheConstitutioncanbeamendedReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How can the Constitution be amended There are two steps to be followed whentheConstitutionisbeingamended
What is the first stepThefirststepisthattheamendmentmustbeproposed Twogroupshavethepowertostarttheamendmentprocess
(1) Two-thirds of both houses of Congress can vote to propose an amendment
(2) Two-thirdsofthestatelegislaturescanaskCongresstocallanational constitutionalconventionThisconventionwillwritetheamendments andproposethattheybeaccepted
What is the second step The amendments must be ratified (approved) by eitherofthefollowing
(1) Three-fourthsofthestatelegislatures(38states) (2) Three-fourths of the state legislatures call conventions and the
conventionsapprovetheamendments
All 27 of the amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths ofthestatelegislatures
article Vi supreme law of the land Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theConstitutionasthehighestlawinthelandReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is the Supreme law of the land Article VI ensures that the US Constitution federal laws and US treaties will be obeyed before all otherlaws
TheConstitutionstatesthefollowingprinciples
bull TheConstitutionnationallawsmadebyCongressandUStreaties arethehighestlaws
bull AllstateandfederalofficialsshallupholdtheConstitution bull If a state law conflicts with the federal law the federal law takes
precedence
InadditionArticleVIstatesthatnooneshallhavetopassareligioustestin ordertoworkasagovernmentofficerintheUnitedStates
article Vii ratification Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thewaytheConstitutiontookeffectReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
When would the Constitution become the highest law of the landArticle VII states that the Constitution would be law when nine states approved it (two-thirdsofthethirteenoriginalstates)TheUSConstitutionwaswritten in1787ratifiedin1788andwentintoeffectin1789
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_____________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 Whatisextradition
2 Howcanyoubecomeacitizenofanotherstate
3 Whomustapprovechangingastatersquosboundary
4 What type of government does the Constitution guarantee each state
5 AccordingtoArticleVIwhatistheSupremeLawoftheland
6 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionbeproposed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 HowmayanamendmenttotheConstitutionberatified(approved)
8 Howmanyoftheoriginal13stateshadtoapprovetheConstitution beforeitbecamelaw
The amendments
AmendmentndashanadditionorchangetotheoriginaldocumentThefirstten amendmentsarereferredtoastheBillofRights
Amendment1 FiveFreedoms
Amendment2 Righttokeepandbeararms
Amendment3 Quarteringofsoldiers
Amendment4 Freedomfromsearch
Amendment5 Protectionoftheaccused
Amendment6 Rightsoftheaccused
Amendment7 Trialbyjury
Amendment8 Noexcessivefines
Amendment9 Otherrightsretained
Amendment10 Reservedorresidualpowers
Amendment11 Statesexemptedfromsuits
Amendment12 ElectionofthePresident
Amendment13 Prohibitsslavery
Amendment14 Citizenrights
Amendment15 Righttovote
Amendment16 Federalincometax
Amendment17 Electionofsenators
Amendment18 Prohibition
Amendment19 Womenrsquossuffrage(righttovote)
Amendment20 LameDuckamendment
Amendment21 Repealofprohibition
Amendment22 LimitsPresidentialterm
Amendment23 WashingtonDCrighttovote
Amendment24 Nopolltax
Amendment25 Presidentialdisability
Amendment26 18-year-oldsrsquorighttovote
Amendment27 Congressionalpayraises
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Suffrage The right to votemdashThe 15thAmendment guarantees to the former maleslavestherighttovote(1870)Womenweregiventherightto vote in the 19thAmendment (1920) The23rdAmendment gives the residentsofWashingtonDCtherighttovoteinPresidentialelections (1961)The24thAmendmentpermittedcitizenstovoteregardlessldquoof failuretopayanypolltaxorothertaxrdquo(1964)The26thAmendment allows18-year-oldstovote(1971)
2 Due process of law Guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without a fair trial and equal protection of the laws (5thAmendment)
3 Poll tax This is a tax that must be paid in order for a person to vote The 24thAmendmentbansthepolltaxinnationalelections
4 Self-incrimination Tomakeyourselflookguiltyofacrimethroughyourownstatements oranswers(5thAmendment)
5 Bail Anaccusedpersonrsquospropertywhichthecourtkeepstobeassuredthat theaccusedpersonwillreturnforhisorhertrial(8thAmendment)
6 Warrant Anorderfromajudgethatstatesapersonrsquoshousemaybesearched orpeoplemaybearrested(4thAmendment)
7 Civil War Amendments The13thAmendmentprohibitsslaverythe14thAmendmentdefines citizensrsquo rights and the 15thAmendment gives the right to vote to formermaleslaves
8 Prohibition The18thAmendmentstatesthatthemanufacturetransportationand saleofalcoholicbeveragesisillegal
9 Grand jury A jury composed of 12 to 23 persons who listen to witnesses and then decide if an indictment (a charge or an accusation) should be issuedagainstthedefendantAnindictmentisaformalcomplaintas indicatedinthe5thAmendment
10 Popular election Thewordldquopopularrdquointhisamendmentmeansthatthepeopleelect thesenatorsPriortothisamendmentsenatorswereelectedbythe statelegislatures(17thAmendment)
11 Petition Toaskthatsomethingbedone(1stAmendment)
12 Militia Citizenarmy(2ndAmendment)
13 Double jeopardy Adefendantcannotbetriedtwiceforthesamecrime(5thAmendment)
14 Eminent domain A legal process by which a governmental body can take private propertyforusebythepublicaftergivingafairpriceforthatproperty (5thAmendment)
15 Petit jury Atrialjurywith12jurors
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
theamendmentstotheConstitutionReadtofindtheanswers totheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
The first tenamendments to theConstitutionare theBillofRightsThey wereaddedtotheConstitutiontoclearlyguaranteeeachcitizenhisorher rightsTheywentintoeffectin1791
What rights does the 1st Amendment guaranteeThe1stAmendmentguarantees thatyouarefreetochooseareligiontoprintyourideastomakespeechesto meetwithothersinapeacefulmannerandtopetitionthegovernment
May you own a gun The 2ndAmendment states ldquoa well-regulated militia (citizenarmy)beingnecessarytothesecurityofafreestatetherightofthe peopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
In peacetime must you keep soldiers in your home The 3rdAmendment guarantees that you will not be forced to have soldiers living in your homeduringpeacetime
Can your property be searchedYesbutthe4thAmendmentguaranteesthat you andor your property will not be searched without a warrant (an orderfromajudge)
What rights does the 5th Amendment guaranteeThe5thAmendmentguarantees the following (1) the right to not say anything against yourself in court (self-incrimination) (2) the right to a grand jury (3) protection against doublejeopardy(4)dueprocessoflawand(5)eminentdomain(guarantees afairpriceforprivatepropertytakenforpublicuse)
0
If you are accused of a crime how will the 6th 7th and 8th Amendments protect you The 6thAmendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial The 7thAmendment guarantees you a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees that you will not have to post an ldquoexcessiverdquo bail It also guaranteesthatyouwillnotbegivenaldquocruelandunusualrdquopunishment
What does the 9th Amendment guaranteeTheConstitutiongivesyoucertain rightsbut itwouldbe impossible to listallof themThe9thAmendment statesthatifarightisnotmentionedintheConstitutionthisdoesnotmean thatyoudonothavethisright
How do the states get their powerThe10thAmendmentguarantees thatall powersnotdelegatedtothefederalgovernmentnorforbiddentothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople(ReservedPowersclause)Someexamples areestablishingmarriageanddivorcelawsestablishingvoterqualifications (exceptage)buyingandsellingliquorcharteringandregulatingintrastate corporationsandestablishingpublicschoolsystems
What does the 11th Amendment (1798) state The 11thAmendment says that casesagainstastategovernmentcannotbetriedinfederalcourt
What did the 12th Amendment (1804) changeThe12thAmendmentchanged theroleoftheElectoralCollegeWhentheConstitutionwasfirstwrittenit requiredtheElectoralCollegetovotefortwopeopleeitherofwhichcould become President Now the Electoral College is required to vote for one personforPresidentalongwithhisorherVicePresident
What were the Civil War AmendmentsThe13thAmendment(1865)abolished slavery and the 14thAmendment (1868) made former male slaves US citizensThe14thAmendmentstatesldquothatallpersonsbornornaturalized intheUSandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereofarecitizensoftheUSrdquoIt extendedtherightofdueprocessoflawtoallcitizensItguaranteedequal protectionunderthelawstoallcitizensThe15thAmendment(1870)gave formermaleslavestherighttovote
Why was the Brown v Board of Education case important In 1954 the 14th AmendmentoftheConstitutionwasappliedtothecaseofBrown v Board of Education This famous case argued that black schools were not equal towhiteschoolsThe14thAmendmentguaranteesequalprotection toall The Supreme Court agreed that the segregated schools were not equal and declared them to be unconstitutional The historical significance of thiscaseisthatitoverturnedthe1896USSupremeCourtrulingPlessy v Ferguson(seetheldquoGlossaryrdquo)
What tax did the 16th Amendment (1913) establishThe16thAmendmentgives Congressthepowertolayandcollecttaxesonincomes(graduatedtax)
Who elects US senatorsThe17thAmendment (1913)allowsthepeople to electUSsenatorsBefore1913 thesenators fromeachstatewereelected bythelegislatureofthatstate
What were the 18th (1919) and 21st (1933) AmendmentsThe18thAmendment outlawed liquor (prohibition) the 21stAmendment repealed the 18th Amendmentmakingliquorlegalagain
Which amendment allowed women to voteThe19thAmendment(1920)gives suffragetowomen
How did the 20th (1933) and the 22nd (1951) Amendments affect the President The20thAmendmentchangedthedatethePresidenttakesofficetoJanuary 20The22ndAmendmentstatesthatnopersonshallbeelectedtotheoffice ofPresidentformorethantwotermsortenyears
What did the 23rd Amendment (1961) give the citizens of Washington DC It givesthemtherighttovoteforthePresidentandVicePresidentTheyare alsogiventhreeelectoralvotes
What did the 24th Amendment (1964) outlaw The 24thAmendment makes poll taxes illegal This guarantees the right to vote regardless of failure topayvotingorothertaxes
What power did the 25th Amendment (1967) give the President The 25th AmendmentgivesthePresidentthepowertoappointwithCongressional approvalaVicePresidentiftheelectedVicePresidentisunabletoserveor ifthereisavacancyItalsopermitsthePresidenttotemporarilystepaside duetoillnessorotherreasonsItalsoprovidesameansbywhichadisabled Presidentmaybetemporarilyremovedfromofficewhenheorshe isnot ableornotwillingtogiveuptheoffice
What did the 26th Amendment (1971) give to 18-year-old citizens The 26th Amendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
How did the 27th Amendment (1992) affect congressional pay raises The 27th AmendmentprohibitsmidtermpayraisesItstatesthatnopayraisesforthe senatorsandtherepresentativesoftheUSCongressldquoshalltakeeffectuntil an election of representatives shall have intervenedrdquo Congressional pay raisestakeeffectinthetermfollowingthenextgeneralelection
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Suffrage a Ataxwhichvotersmust pay
_______2 Dueprocessoflaw b Guaranteesthatnoperson shallbedeprivedofhisor herrightswithoutafair trialandequalprotection
_______3 Polltax c Moneygiventothecourt bytheaccusedpersonto guaranteethecourtthatthe personwillreturnfortrial
_______4 Self-incrimination d Ajudgersquosordergrantinga searchofpropertyoran arrest
_______5 Bail e Therighttovote
_______6 Warrant f Apersonmakinghim-or herselfseemguilty
_______7 Militia g Toaskthatsomethingbe done
_______8 GrandJury h Sellingalcoholicbeverages isillegal
_______9 Petition i Issuesindictments
_______10 Prohibition j Anarmyofastatersquoscitizens
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhichamendmentsmakeuptheBillofRights
2 Which amendment guarantees the rights of free speech free press peacefulassemblytherighttopetitionandfreedomofreligion
3 Whatdoesthe5thAmendmentguaranteeyou
4 What do the 6th 7th and 8thAmendments guarantee a person who hasbeenarrested
5 WhatweretheCivilWarAmendments
6 WhatwasinvolvedintheBrown v Board of Educationcase
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
7 Which amendment made the Bill of Rights apply to all citizens includingformerslaves
8 Whichamendmentgiveswomentherighttovote
9 Whichamendmentgives18-year-oldcitizenstherighttovote
ParT Three The us flaG
displaying the flag
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thepropermannerofdisplayingtheUSflagReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
How should the US flag be displayed when flown with the flags of two or more nationsWhenflagsoftwoormorenationsareflown(duringpeacetime) onseparatestaffsthestaffsshouldbeofthesameheightTheflagsshould be approximately the same size No country is to be honored more than anyothercountry
How should the US flag be carried in a processionWhencarriedinaprocession theUSflagshouldbetothemarchingrightIfthereisalineofflagsthe USflagshouldbeinfrontofthecenterofthatline
How should the US flag be flown with the local city or state flags on the same staff When flown with the local or state flags the US flag should beatthepeak
When should the US flag be displayed It should be flown from sunrise to sunset at night with a light and should be displayed on state and nationalholidays
When should the US flag be flown upside downTheUSflagshouldneverbe flownupsidedownexceptasasignalofdistress
What should the US flag touchTheUSflagshouldalwaysbeallowedto hangfreeItshouldneverbeallowedtotouchanythingbelowitItshould neverbedrapedoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 How should the US flag be displayed with the flags of other nations
2 HowshouldtheUSflagbecarriedinaprocession
3 ShouldtheUSflagbeallowedtotouchanything
4 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayedupsidedown
5 WhatistheproperpositionfortheUSflagwhenitisdisplayedona staffwiththeflagsofcitiesorstates
6 WhenshouldtheUSflagbedisplayed
how to respect the us flag
1 Donotpermitdisrespect
2 Donotdiptheflagtoanypersonoranything
3 Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal ofdistress
4 Do not place any other flag or pennant above or to the right of theflag
5 Donotlettheflagtouchthegroundortrailinwater
6 Donotplaceanyobjectoremblemofanykindonorabovetheflag
7 Donotusetheflagasadraperyinanyformwhatever
8 Do not fasten the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easilytorn
9 Donotdrapetheflagoverthehoodtopsidesorbackofavehicle trainorboat
10 Donotdisplaytheflagonafloatinaparadeexceptfromastaff
11 Donotusetheflagasacoveringforaceiling
12 Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform
13 Donotputletteringofanykindupontheflag
14 Do not use the flag in any form of advertising nor fasten any advertisingtothestafffromwhichtheflagisflying
15 Donotdisplayuseorstoretheflaginsuchamanneraswillpermit ittobeeasilysoiledordamaged
0
ParT four The illinois ConsTiTuTion
introduction
The present Illinois Constitution was ratified (approved) by the voters in 1970 Illinois has had four Constitutions since it became a state 1818 18481870and1970
Thestategovernmentisorganizedverymuchlikethefederalgovernment It is helpful to compare and contrast the Illinois Constitution to the US ConstitutionwhenyouarestudyingtheIllinoisConstitution
TheIllinoisConstitutionprovidesforareasofgovernmentoverwhichthe federalgovernmenthas little controlThepower togovern theseareas is reservedtothestatesbytheUSConstitution(10thAmendment)Someof these important areas are local governments taxation public education electionsandvoting
The following exercises and explanations will help you understand the IllinoisConstitution
illinois Constitution outline
Preamble
ArticleI BillofRights
ArticleII ThePowersoftheState
ArticleIII SuffrageandElection
ArticleIV LegislativeBranch
ArticleV ExecutiveBranch
ArticleVI JudicialBranch
ArticleVII LocalGovernment
ArticleVIII Finance
ArticleIX Revenue
ArticleX Education
ArticleXI Environment
ArticleXII Militia
ArticleXIII GeneralProvisions
ArticleXIV ConstitutionalRevision
articles indashiii
The bill of rights The separation of Powers
Voting and elections
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsRefertothevocabularyas
neededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Discriminate Tounfairlyfavoronepersononegrouporonething
2 Felony Aseriouscrimesuchasburglaryormurdercommonlythosecrimes whicharepunishedbymorethanoneyearinprison
3 Handicap Somethingthathampersapersonadisadvantageahindrance
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstandingof
thefirstthreearticlesoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofind theanswerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article i The bill of rights What is the Bill of Rights for Illinois citizensArticleIcontainstheBillofRights forIllinoiscitizensThereare24guaranteedrights
What is in the Bill of RightsTheBillof Rights in the IllinoisConstitution makesthesameguaranteestoIllinoiscitizensastheUSConstitutiondoes to all US citizens The Illinois Constitution like most states goes into moredetailedrightsforexample(1)thatcitizenswillnotbediscriminated againstbecauseoftheirsexorphysicalormentalhandicapsand(2)thatthe citizensrsquorighttoarmsisldquosubjectonlytothepolicepowertherightofthe individualcitizentokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringedrdquo
article i - bill of rights
Section1 InherentandInalienableRights
Section2 DueProcessandEqualProtection
Section3 ReligiousFreedom
Section4 FreedomofSpeech
Section5 RighttoAssembleandPetition
Section6 SearchesSeizuresPrivacyandInterceptions
Section7 IndictmentandPreliminaryHearing
Section8 RightsafterIndictment
Section9 BailandHabeasCorpus
Section10 Self-IncriminationandDoubleJeopardy
Section11 LimitationofPenaltiesafterConviction
Section12 RighttoRemedyandJustice
Section13 TrialbyJury
Section14 ImprisonmentforDebt
Section15 RighttoEminentDomain
Section16 ExPostFactoLawsandImpairingContracts
Section17 NoDiscriminationinEmploymentandtheSaleorRental ofProperty
Section18 NoDiscriminationontheBasisofSex
Section19 NoDiscriminationAgainsttheHandicapped
Section20 IndividualDignity
Section21 QuarteringofSoldiers
Section22 RighttoArms
Section23 FundamentalPrinciples
Section24 RightsRetained
article ii separation of Powers What is in Article IIArticleIIseparatesthestategovernmentrsquospowerinto threebranchestheLegislativetheExecutiveandtheJudicial
article iii Voting and elections Who can voteThedeterminationofeligibilityrequirementsforvotingisthe responsibilityofthestates(exceptforvotingage)InIllinoistobeeligible toregistertovoteapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)18yearsofageor olderatthetimeofthenextelectionand(3)aresidentinanIllinoiselection precinctforatleastthirtydayspriortotheelection
Who cannot vote ldquoA person convicted of a felony or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution or jail shall lose the right to vote whichrightshallberestorednotlaterthanuponcompletionofsentencerdquo (Section2)
What is a General ElectionThetermldquoGeneralElectionrdquoreferstotheelection involving members of the GeneralAssembly In Illinois these elections are held every two years (Section 6) This date conforms with the date set by the federal government in order to save money by consolidating elections
What is a Primary Election The Primary Election is a party election that nominatescandidatesforofficeEachpoliticalpartyselectscandidatesfor thevariouslocalorstateoffices
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhereistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution
2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of a personrsquos sex It also guarantees that people with certainhandicapswillnotbediscriminatedagainstWhathandicaps arelisted
3 WhatgroupofpeopleisnotallowedtovoteinIllinois
4 WhatarethequalificationstoregistertovoteinIllinois
article iV The state legislative branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 General Assembly ndash Article IV Section 1 TheGeneralAssembly is thenameof theLegislativeBranchof the StateofIllinoisTheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentativesmakeup theGeneralAssemblymdashabicameral(two-house)legislatureMembers areelectedfromlegislativeandrepresentativedistricts
2 Bill ndash Article IV Section 7 Aproposedlaw
3 General Election ndash Article III Section 6 AGeneralElectionisheldonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMonday inNovemberofeven-numberedyearsMembersofCongress state officersmembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyjudgesandsome county offices are elected The President is elected at the General Electionthatisheldeveryfouryearsintheyeardivisiblebyfour
4 Appropriation ndash Article IV Section 8 Theauthoritytospendstatemonies
5 Minority party ndash Article IV Section 6 The political party that does not have a majority in the Senate or House
6 Override ndash Article IV Section 9 Whenthree-fifthsofeachhouseintheGeneralAssemblyvotetopass legislationthathasbeenvetoedbytheGovernor
7 Compact ndash Article IV Section 3 A term used in legislative redistricting Each district should be as densely(heavily)populatedaspossible
8 Contiguous ndash Article IV Section 3 In legislativeredistrictingeachdistrictshouldconsistofareasnext toeachother
9 Legislative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Thereare59legislativedistricts(sometimesreferredtoassenatorial districts) in Illinois There is one senator elected to the General Assemblyfromeachlegislativedistrict
10 Representative District ndash Article IV Section 2 Each legislative district is divided into two representative districts Thereare118representativedistrictswithonerepresentativeelected fromeachdistrict
11 Item Veto ndash Article IV Section 9 Clause d ThepowergiventotheGovernorpermittinghimorhertovetoitemsof anappropriationbillwhilesigningtheremainingsectionsintolaw
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheIllinoisLegislativeBranchReadtofindanswerstothe ldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
What is Article IVldquoThelegislativepowerisvestedinaGeneralAssembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representativesrdquo It is a bicameral (two-house)legislature
MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistrictsSenators areelectedfromlegislative(senatorial)districtsandstaterepresentativesare electedfromrepresentativedistrictswithinthelegislativedistrictAftereach ten-yearcensustheGeneralAssemblyisrequiredtoredistrictthelegislative and representative districts The Constitution requires that districts be compactcontiguousandsubstantiallyequalinpopulation
How is the legislature organizedTheSenateiscomposedof59membersOne iselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistrictsinIllinois
How many people represent you in the General AssemblyEachpersoninIllinois lives in a legislative (senatorial) district and in a house (representative) districtOnesenatorandonerepresentativewillrepresenteachpersonin theIllinoisGeneralAssembly
What are the requirements to be a member of the Illinois General Assembly Inorder tobeamemberof the IllinoisGeneralAssemblyapersonmust be (1) a US citizen (2) at least 21 years of age and (3) for two years prior to the election or appointment a resident of the district which he orsherepresents
Who are the presiding officers of the General AssemblyTheIllinoisStateSenate electsoneofitsmembersaspresidentThePresidentoftheSenatepresides overitssessionsandisusuallytheleaderofthemajorityparty
ThepresidingofficeroftheIllinoisHouseofRepresentativesistheSpeaker MembersoftheHouseelectoneofitsmemberstothatpositionUsuallybut notalwaystheSpeakeristheleaderofthemajorityparty
Who determines if a member of the General Assembly is properly elected and qualified to serveldquoEachhouseshalldeterminetherulesofitsproceedings judge theelections returnsandqualificationsof itsmembersandchoose itsofficersrdquo(Section6Claused)
How are laws passedAbill(aproposedlaw)mustpassbothhousesofthe GeneralAssemblyForthebilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajority voteineachhouseAfterabill ispassedit issenttotheGovernorIfthe Governor signs (approves) a bill it becomes law Every bill passed by the GeneralAssembly must be presented to the Governor within thirty calendardaysafteritspassage
What is the Governorrsquos veto authorityIftheGovernordoesnotapprovethebill heorshehastheauthoritytoveto(reject)itTheGovernorreturnsthebill alongwithhisorherobjectionstothehousewherethebillbegan
What special veto power does the Governor haveldquoTheGovernormayreduce or veto any item of appropriations in a bill presented to himrdquo In other wordstheGovernormayvetooneormoreitemsinanappropriationbill withoutvetoingtheentirebillThisiscalledthepoweroftheitemvetoThe PresidentoftheUSdoesnothavethispower
How can the Governorrsquos veto be overridden By a three-fifths vote in each house
What ldquocheckrdquo does the Legislative Branch have on the Executive and Judicial BranchesTheHousehasthesolepowertoconductlegislativeinvestigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment (wrongdoing) by a member of both the Executive and Judicial Branches The House has the authority to impeach (bring charges) and the Senate has the sole power totryimpeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficersIftheGovernoristried theChiefJusticeoftheIllinoisSupremeCourtshallpresideTheofficialis notremovedfromofficeuntilheorsheisprovenguiltyofthechargesbya two-thirdsvoteofthesenatorselected
Does the legislature have the authority to remove one of its own members from officeEachhousehastheauthoritytoexpeloneofitsownmembersThat actioncanonlytakeplacebymeansofavoteoftwo-thirdsofthemembers elected to that house Members of the GeneralAssembly are not subject toimpeachmentproceedings
Who can call a ldquospecial sessionrdquo of the General Assembly TheGovernormaycall aspecialsessiontoconvenetheGeneralAssemblyTodothistheGovernor issuesaproclamationwhichstatesthepurposeofthesession
0
The following is an example of the current legislative and representative districtsKeep inmindthat theychangeeverytenyearsafter theCensus resultsarein
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 GeneralAssembly a Aproposedlaw
_______2 Bill b LegislativeBranchofstate governmentofIllinois
_______3 GeneralElection c Authoritytospendstate funds
_______4 Appropriation d Partythatdoesnothavea majorityintheHouseor Senate
_______5 Minorityparty e Electionheldeverytwo yearsineven-numbered years
_______6 Contiguous f TheGeneralAssemblycan passabillovertheobjection oftheGovernor
_______7 Compact g Nexttoeachother
_______8 Override h Denselypopulated
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 WhatisalegislativedistrictArepresentativedistrict
2 Whatisabicamerallegislature
3 Howarebillsenactedintolaws
4 Whocancallaspecialsessionofthelegislature
5 WhatspecialvetopowerdoestheGovernorhave
6 Does the legislature have the power to ldquocheckrdquo the Executive and JudicialBranchofficials
7 Who must decide if the GeneralAssembly members are properly electedandqualifiedtoserve
article V The state executive branch
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Chief Executive Officer TheGovernor
2 ldquoSupreme Executive Powerrdquo ndash Article V Section 8 TheGovernorhasthesupremeexecutivepowerandisresponsibleto seethatthelawsofthestatearefollowed
3 Executive Officers ndash Article V Section 1 The elected executive officers are Governor Lieutenant Governor AttorneyGeneralSecretaryofStateComptrollerandTreasurer
4 Reprieve ndash Article V Section 12 The Governor may grant a reprieve which is to postpone the punishmentorpenaltytosomeonewhoisheldincustody
5 Pardon ndash Article V Section 12 TheGovernormaygrantapardonwhichiscompletelyforgivinga crimeiterasesanypunishmententirely
6 Commutation ndash Article V Section 12 AreductionofpunishmentissuedbytheGovernor
7 Malfeasance ndash Article V Section 10 Wrongdoingormisconduct
8 Gubernatorial Succession ndash Article V Section 6 In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Governor (death or resignation)theorderofsuccessiontotheOfficeofGovernorwillbe the following the Lieutenant Governor theAttorney General and thentheSecretaryofState
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheExecutiveBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
Article V of the Illinois Constitution relates to the Executive Branch The ExecutiveBranchhassixelectedofficersandsomeappointedofficersTobe eligiblefortheelectedpositionsapersonmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsofageand(3)aresidentofIllinoisforthreeyearspreceding theelectionExceptfortheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernorthesix electedofficersdonothavetobefromthesamepoliticalpartyThereareno generalrequirementsfortheappointedofficers
Who are the elected officials and what are their duties
Governor The Governorrsquos duties include but are not limited to the following responsible forldquocarryingoutrdquo the lawsof thestate signingor vetoing bills sending messages to the GeneralAssembly calling special sessionsoftheGeneralAssemblynominatingsomeexecutiveofficers(with theapprovaloftheStateSenate)commandingtheIllinoisNationalGuardin peacetimeandgrantingreprievespardonsandcommutations
Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor performs the duties and exercisesthepowersthatmaybedelegatedtotheofficebytheGovernor andthoseprescribedbylawIftheofficeofGovernorbecomesvacantthe LieutenantGovernorbecomesGovernor
Attorney General TheAttorney General is the chief legal officer of the state
Secretary of StateTheSecretaryofStatemaintainstheofficialrecordsofthe actsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheofficialrecordsoftheExecutiveBranch asrequiredbythelawTheofficealsohastheresponsibilityofissuingdriver andautolicensesInadditiontheSecretaryofStateistheheadlibrarianfor thestateandkeepstheGreatSealoftheStateofIllinois
ComptrollerTheComptrollermaintainsthestatersquoscentralfiscal(financial) accounts and orders payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer
TreasurerTheTreasurerisresponsibleforthesafekeepingandinvestmentof moniesandsecuritiesdepositedintheofficeUponorderoftheComptroller theTreasurerisalsoresponsibleforthedisbursementofmonies
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of appointment The Governor nominates all officers whose election or appointments are not provided for by the Constitution or by law Nominations must be approved by a majorityvoteoftheStateSenate
What is the scope of the Governorrsquos power of removal The Governor may removeforincompetenceneglectofdutyormalfeasance(wrongdoingor misconduct)inofficeanyofficerwhoheorshehasappointed
How do some of the Governorrsquos powers differ from those of the President of the United StatesThePresidentoftheUShasthepowertodothefollowing
bull Nominate all members of the Executive Branch the Governor of Illinoiscanonlynominatesome ExecutiveBranchofficials
bull Nominateallfederaljudges judgesinIllinoisarenotnominatedor appointedbytheGovernor
TheGovernorofIllinoishasthepoweroftheitemvetowhichthePresident oftheUSdoesnot
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 ChiefExecutiveOfficer a GovernorLieutenant GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretaryofState ComptrollerandTreasurer
_______2 ldquoSupremeExecutive b Governor Powerrdquo
_______3 ExecutiveOfficers c Powergrantedtothe governor
_______4 Reprieve d Completeforgivenessofa crime
_______5 Malfeasance e Postponementof punishment
_______6 Commutation f Wrongdoing
_______7 Pardon g Reductionofpunishment
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 DotheelectedofficersoftheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesdescribed forthemintheconstitution
2 Doallelectedofficialshavetobefromthesamepoliticalparty
3 TheConstitutionauthorizestheGovernortonominatesomeofficers whoserve in theExecutiveBranchTheStateSenatemustapprove themDoestheGovernorhavetheauthoritytoremoveanyofthose officers
4 Whatqualificationsarenecessaryforapersontobeeligibletoserve asanelectedstateexecutiveofficer
article Vi The state Judicial branch
Vocabulary Directions Study the words and their definitions Take the ldquoVocabulary
Quizrdquo Check your answers in the answer section Refer to the vocabulary as needed when reading the ldquoExplanationrdquo whichfollows
1 Original jurisdiction ndash Article VI Section 4 Acourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
2 Writ Aformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
3 Revenue ndash Article VI Section 4 Casesdealingwithtaxmatters
4 Mandamus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awrit inwhichapersonasksthecourt toorderapublicofficer to carryouthisorherduties
5 Prohibition ndash Article VI Section 4 ApersonaskstheSupremeCourttoforbidalowercourtfromtrying acasethatshouldbetriedinsomeothercourtForexampleJohnDoe doesnotwantJudgeParkertohearhiscasebecauseJudgeParkerhas avestedinterestinthecaseJudgeParkerrefusestoexcusehimself fromthecasesoJohncangototheSupremeCourtrequestingawrit prohibitingJudgeParkerfromhearingthecase
6 Habeas Corpus ndash Article VI Section 4 Awritrequiringthatapersonheldincustodymustbebroughtbefore acourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
oftheJudicialBranchReadtofindtheanswerstotheldquoFocus YourReadingrdquoquestions
TheJudicialBranchconcernsthecourtsandjudgesfortheStateofIllinois This branch interprets the laws and decides if people have followed the laws
How many types of courts are there in the state court system Illinois has a three-court system much like the federal court system The three types of courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate Courts (appeals) andCircuit Courts(trial)
How are judges chosen in IllinoisExceptfortheassociatejudgesjudgesare electedinIllinoisAssociatejudgesareappointedbytheChiefCircuitJudge ofthedistrictinwhichtheywillserve
What is a judicial district How many are there in IllinoisA judicialdistrict is an area of the state that has the same court and judges There are five judicialdistrictsinIllinois
What is original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
What courts in Illinois have original jurisdiction
bull ldquoCircuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all justiciable mattersexceptwhentheSupremeCourthasoriginalandexclusive jurisdictionrdquo(Section9)
bull ldquoThe Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction in cases relating to revenue mandamus prohibition or habeas corpus rdquo (Section4)
0
What is the state court system
What are
Court How many courtsjudges
the powers of each court Term
IllinoisSupreme Court
AppellateCourts
CircuitCourts
Onecourt sevenmembers
Ninecourts 27judges
21circuitcourts 146circuitjudges and202associate judges
Hasoriginal jurisdictionin onlyfourtypes ofcases 1 revenue 2 mandamus 3 prohibition 4 habeascorpus
Hearothercases onappealfrom eitherthe appellateor circuitcourts
Hearcases appealedfromthe circuitcourtsin thesamejudicial district
Thesearethe maintrialcourts
Tenyearselected
Tenyearselected
CircuitJudges Sixyearselected
AssociateJudges Fouryears appointed
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Originaljurisdiction a Orderingapublicofficerto carryouthisorherduties
_______2 Writ b Bringsapersonbeforea courttodeterminethe legalityofhisorher detention
_______3 Revenue c Forbidsalowercourtfrom tryingacasethatshouldbe inanothercourt
_______4 Mandamus d Aformallegaldocument
_______5 Prohibition e Casesdealingwithtax matters
_______6 Habeascorpus f Hearingacaseforthefirst time
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focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 HowmanytypesofcourtsdoesIllinoishave
2 WhatarethetypesofcourtsinIllinois
3 HowarejudgeschoseninIllinois
4 HowmanyjudicialdistrictsarethereinIllinois
5 Whatisoriginaljurisdiction
6 WhattwocourtsinIllinoishaveoriginaljurisdiction
articles ViindashXiV
local Government finance revenue
education environment
Militia General Provisions
Constitutional revision
Vocabulary Directions StudythewordsandtheirdefinitionsTaketheldquoVocabularyQuizrdquo
CheckyouranswersintheanswersectionRefertothevocabulary asneededwhenreadingtheldquoExplanationrdquowhichfollows
1 Ordinance ndash Article VII Section 10 Alawpassedbyagovernmentunitsmallerthanthestategovernment
2 Fiscal year ndash Article VIII Section 2 AfiscalyeardealswithrecordkeepingconcerningmoneyItisa365-day periodthatdoesnotusuallybeginonJanuary1Thefirstdayofthefiscal yearisthefirstdayofrecordkeepingTherecordsconcerningthemoney arefinishedonthe365thdayThefiscalyearforgovernmentoffices in IllinoisbeginsonJuly1andendsthenextyearonJune30
3 Audit ndash Article VIII Section 3 Anofficialexaminationofthebooksandrecordswhichtellaboutthe spendingandreceivingofmoney
4 Appropriation ndash Article VIII Section 2 Aplanthelegislaturemakestospendtaxpayermoney
5 Revenue ndash Article IX Section 1 ThemoneythegovernmentreceivesfromtaxesandfeesTheGeneral Assemblyhastheexclusivepowertoraiserevenue
6 Nongraduated income tax ndash Article IX Section 3 The State of Illinois has a nongraduated income tax The federal government has a graduated tax Illinoisrsquo tax is a flat rate tax The statecannotpassagraduatedincometax
7 Personal property ndash Article IX Section 5 Householdgoodsfurnituremotorvehiclesmachineryandfactory partsmoneystocksandbonds
8 Bond ndash Article IX Section 9 Acertificatewhichshowsthatsomeoneorsomeorganizationowes youmoneyForexampleyougivethestatemoneyinexchangefora bondThebondshowsthatthestateowesyouthatmoney
9 Environment ndash Article XI Section 2 ldquoEach person has the right to a healthful environment (your surroundings)rdquo
10 Militia ndash Article XII Section 1 Citizens who can be called for military service The Illinois State Militia ldquoconsists of all able-bodied persons residing in the state exceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquoThepeopleoftheStateofIllinoisare consideredtobemembersoftheinactivemilitia
11 Illinois National Guard ndash Article XII Section 3 ThenameoftheactivemilitiainIllinois
12 Civilian ndash Article XII Section 1 Apersonwhoisnotinthemilitary
13 Bribery ndash Article XIII Section 1 Offeringorgivingarewardtosomeoneinordertogethimorherto dosomething(usuallyillegal)thatyouwantdone
14 Perjury ndash Article XIII Section 1 Swearingthatsomethingistruewhenyouknowitisnot
15 Auditor General ndash Article VIII Section 3 TheAuditorGeneralisappointedbytheGeneralAssemblytoaten-year termHeorsheauditsthestatersquosfinancesattheendofthefiscalyear
explanation Directions Readthefollowinginformationtogetabetterunderstanding
ofArticlesVIIndashXIVoftheIllinoisConstitutionReadtofindthe answerstotheldquoFocusYourReadingrdquoquestions
article Vii local Government ndash Municipalities units of local government and school districts What are the local governmental units in IllinoisTheStateofIllinoisisdivided into102countieseachwithitsowngovernmentOtherlocalgovernmental unitsaremunicipalitiestownshipsspecialdistrictsandunitsldquoMunicipalities meanscitiesvillagesandincorporatedtownsrdquo(Section1)
What powers do local governmental units have Units of local government have limited powers to govern Local governments may pass ordinances toprotectthehealthsafetymoralsandwelfareoftheirpeopleTheymay licensebusinessesandoccupationstaxandborrowmoney
When there is a conflict whose power is greaterThestatersquospowersaregreater thanthoseoflocalgovernmentalunits
article Viii finance How is taxpayer money spent Government money must be used for public purposesOnlythelegislaturehastheauthoritytotellhowpublicmoneyshall be spent Each year the Governor reports to the legislature about the money comingintothestatetreasuryTheGovernorrsquosofficepreparesabudgetwhichtells howheorshethinksthemoneyshouldbespentTheGovernorrsquosbudgetcannot plantospendmoremoneythanheorshethinksthestatewillbegetting
Who appropriates taxpayer moneyAftertheGovernorrecommendsabudget to the GeneralAssembly the GeneralAssembly decides how the money willactuallybespent
How is the statersquos spending of taxpayer money checkedTheConstitutionsays that the statersquos spending must be audited at the end of each fiscal year by theAuditor GeneralAll government agencies in Illinois must use a bookkeepingsystemsimilartothatofallotheragencies
article iX revenue What is one of the major taxes citizens in Illinois must pay What tax has been outlawed The Constitution of 1970 creates a nongraduated income tax for Illinois citizens The personal property tax was abolished on January11979
What property is not to be taxedCertainpropertyisnottobetaxedincluding (1)propertyownedbythestate(2)propertyownedbythelocalgovernments andschooldistrictsand(3)propertyusedbyagriculturalsocietiesschools churchescemeteriesandnonprofitgroupssuchashospitals
If people do not pay their taxes how do they lose their propertyRealestatecannot besoldforunpaidtaxeswithoutfirsthavingajudicialhearingThecourt must rule to take thepropertybut the personmustbewarned firstThe ownercanbuybackthepropertywithinatwo-yearperiod
How can the state raise money The state may sell bonds in order to raise money
article X education What is the goal of education in the stateAfundamentalgoalldquoistheeducational developmentofallpersonstothelimitsoftheircapacitiesrdquo(Section1)
What is the statersquos responsibility for education ldquoEducation inpublic schools throughthesecondarylevelshallbefreerdquoBylawtheGeneralAssemblymay provideforotherfreeeducationldquoTheStatehastheprimaryresponsibility forfinancingthesystemofpubliceducationrdquo(Section1)
Who plans the statersquos educational programAStateBoardofEducationplans thestatersquoseducationalprogramTheStateBoardofEducationappointsa chiefstateeducationalofficer
Can the state spend taxpayer money for religious purposes TheGeneralAssembly countiescitiestownstownshipsandschooldistrictscannotappropriate anypublicfundsforsecular(religious)purposes
article Xi environment What are your rights The state and its citizens have the responsibility of keepingtheenvironment(surroundings)healthfulTheGeneralAssemblyis tomakelawstoenforcethisrighttoahealthfulenvironment
article Xii Militia Who belongs to the state militialdquoTheStatemilitiaconsistsofallable-bodied personsresidingintheStateexceptthoseexemptedbylawrdquo(Section1)This istheinactivemilitiaconsistingofcitizensofthestate
ldquoTheGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawfortheorganizationequipment anddisciplineofthemilitiainconformitywiththelawsgoverningthearmed forcesof theUnitedStatesrdquo (Section3)ldquoTheGovernor iscommander-inshychief of the organized militiardquo (Section 4) The Illinois National Guard istheactivemilitia
article Xiii General Provisions Who cannot hold a public office in IllinoisA person convicted of a felony bribery perjury or other serious crimes cannot hold an office created by theConstitution
What is meant by a ldquostatement of economic interestsrdquoldquoAllcandidates foror holdersofstateofficesandallmembersofaCommissionorBoardcreated bytheConstitutionshallfileaverifiedstatementoftheireconomicinterests asprovidedbylawrdquo(Section2)
What is an oath of office or affirmation for public officials Each elected officeholder must take an oath or affirmation to uphold both the US and the Illinois Constitutions Some religions do not allow adherents to swear oaths but permit them to affirm Both oaths and affirmations are solemnpromises
How can public transportation be fundedArticle XIII states that using the statersquosmoneyforpublictransportationislegal
article XiV Constitutional revision How often must voters decide if a convention to change the Constitution is neededAt least every twenty years the voters in the state must decide if a convention to change the Constitution is needed If a Constitutional conventiondoesmeetandchangesaresuggested thesechangesmustbe approvedbythevoters
Who else may suggest amendments to the ConstitutionTheGeneralAssembly may suggest that amendments may be needed to the Constitution The voters must also approve any amendments suggested by the General Assembly Proposed amendments are ratified (approved) and become effective when they are approved by a three-fifths vote of those persons votingontheamendmentataGeneralElection
What part of the Constitution is the General Assembly forbidden to amendThe GeneralAssemblycannotproposechangesthatwillaffectitsownstructure orprocedures(ArticleIV)ThevoterscannotmakechangesinArticleIVthat willtakeawaythepowersoftheGeneralAssembly
What role does the General Assembly play in approving an amendment to the US ConstitutionTheaffirmativevoteofthree-fifthsofthememberselectedto eachhouseareneededtoratify(approve)anamendment
00
Vocabulary Quiz Directions Puttheletterofthecorrectdefinitionintheblankinfrontofthe
worditdefinesCheckyouranswersintheanswersection
_______1 Ordinance a Apaperwhichshowsthat someoneowesyoumoney
_______2 FiscalYear b NameofthemilitiainIllinois
_______3 Audit c Aplantospendtaxpayermoney
_______4 Appropriation d Householdgoodsandfurniture automobilesandmoney
_______5 Revenue e Alawpassedbyacityorvillage government
_______6 Nongraduatedincometax f Peoplenotinthemilitary
_______7 Personalproperty g Moneythatthegovernmentgets fromtaxesandfees
_______8 Bond h Bodyofpeoplewhocanbecalled intoactivemilitaryservice
_______9 Environment i Examinationofbooksand recordsaboutspending receivingmoney
_______10 Militia j A365-dayperiodforwhich agovernmentororganization planstheuseofitsfunds
_______11 IllinoisNationalGuard k Atypeoftaxthatisaflattaxon incomes
_______12 Civilians l Swearingsomethingistruewhen youknowthatitisnottrue
_______13 Bribery m Checksthestatersquosaccounts
_______14 Perjury n Allofapersonrsquossurroundings
_______15 AuditorGeneral o Offeringcompensationto someoneinordertogethim orhertodosomething(usually illegal)youwantdone
0
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
focus Your reading Directions Answer the following questions Check your answers in the
answersection
1 If there is a conflict between a state law and a county ordinance whichshouldyoufollow
2 Are Illinois citizens required to pay a graduated income tax to thestate
3 Howmuchtimeisapersongiventopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinally losinghisorherproperty
4 IsallrealestatepropertyinIllinoistaxed
5 WhatdoestheIllinoisConstitutionsayconcerningthecostofpublic education
6 Whoisthecommander-in-chiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
7 Isitlegalfortaxpayermoneytobeusedforpublictransportation
8 CantheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyalonepassanamendmenttothe IllinoisConstitution
0
ParT fiVe GlossarY
Abolish Todoawaywith
ActAstatutealaw
Affirmation Asolemndeclarationtotellthetruth
AmendmentAnadditionorchangetoanoriginaldocument
Apportionment The seats in the US House of Representatives are apportioned (divided) according to population among the 50 states The censusistakeneverytenyearstodetermineeachstatersquospopulationBecause ofshiftsinpopulationsomestatesgainseatswhileothersloseseatsThe total number of members in the US House of Representatives does not changeThelawsetsthenumberat435
AppropriationMoniessetasideforaspecificuse
Articles of ConfederationThenameofthefirstConstitutionoftheUnited States which was adopted by the original thirteen states TheArticles of Confederationwereineffectfrom1781-1789
BicameralAlegislaturecomposedoftwohousesTheUSCongressand the Illinois GeneralAssembly are bicameral legislatures both having a SenateandaHouseofRepresentatives
BillAproposedlaw
Bill of AttainderAlegislativeactthatinflictspunishmentwithoutjudicial trialTheUSConstitutionforbidsboththestateandfederalgovernments fromenactingbillsofattainder
0
Brown v Board of Education (Topeka KS)A 1954 US Supreme Court decisionthatreversedPlessy v Ferguson In thisdecision thecourtstruck downthelawsoffourstatesrequiringorallowingseparatepublicschools forwhiteandblackstudentsTheSupremeCourtunanimouslyheld that segregationbyraceinpubliceducationisunconstitutional
CabinetBycustomandtraditiontheheadsofmajorExecutivedepartments areCabinetmemberstheymeetattherequestofthePresident
CensusAnofficialcountofthepopulationThecensusistakeneveryten yearsThefirstcensuswasin1790
Checks and BalancesEachbranchofthegovernmentissubjecttoanumber of constitutional checks by either or both of the other branches or in otherwordseachbranchhascertainpowerswithwhichitcancheckthe operationsoftheothertwo
CitizenshipThe14thAmendmentoftheUSConstitutiondefinescitizenship as ldquoAll persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the State whereintheyresiderdquo
CivilAnythingtodowithacitizen
Coin Tomakecoinsorpapermoney
Commission Agroupofpeopleofficiallyappointedtoperformspecified duties
Concurrent Happeningatthesametime
Congressional Record A printed record of what is said and done in Congresseachday
0
Connecticut CompromiseAttheConstitutionalConventionRogerSherman ofConnecticutproposedacompromisetosolvetheissueofhowlargeand small states should be represented in the new Congress The convention agreed to representation in proportion to the population in the House of RepresentativesandequalrepresentationofthestatesintheUSSenateThe compromisealsospecifiedthatallrevenuebillsmustoriginateintheHouse TheoverallagreementbecameknownastheldquoGreatCompromiserdquo
ConstitutionA written document describing a system of fundamental laws and principles that defines the nature functions and limits of a government
Convene Tomeet
Decennial Everytenyears
Delegated powersThepowersthattheUSConstitutiongivestoCongress tomakethelaws
DemocracyGovernmentbythepeopleexercisedeitherdirectlyorthrough electedrepresentatives
Due process of lawOneofthemostimportantconstitutionalguarantees Boththestateandfederalgovernmentsmustfollowprescribedprocedures andstandards
Elastic clauseArticleISection8oftheUSConstitutionliststhepowers ofCongressItthenauthorizesCongressldquotomakealllawswhichshallbe necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States rdquo This is the ldquoelasticrdquo clause also known as the ldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause
Election day The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in evennumberedyears
0
ElectorOnewhoelects
Electoral CollegeAn elected body of electors who cast ballots for the PresidentandVicePresidentEachstategetsthesamenumberofelectors asthenumberithasrepresentingitinCongress(ArticleIISection1)There are a total of 538 electoral votes which includes three electoral votes for theDistrictofColumbia
Eminent domainBoththestateandfederalgovernmentsmaytakeprivate propertyforusebythepublicafterpayingafairprice
Equal protection of the lawStatesareforbiddenldquotodenytoanyperson withintheirjurisdictiontheequalprotectionofthelawsrdquo(14thAmendment ILArticleISection2)
Ex post facto Afterthefact
FederalismAsystemofgovernmentintheUnitedStatesbywhichpolitical authorityisdividedbetweenboththestateandnationalgovernments
Felony Aseriouscrime
Full Faith and Credit clause ldquoFull faith and creditrdquo means every state must accept every other statersquos laws vital records deeds court records andcourtdecisions
Great CompromiseSeeConnecticutCompromise
Habeas corpusAcourtorder(writ)requiringthatapersonheldincustodymust bebroughtbeforeacourttodeterminethelegalityofhisorherdetention
IllegalAgainstthelaw
ImpeachmentAformalaccusationbroughtagainstExecutiveandJudicial officersbytheHouseofRepresentatives
0
Implied powersPowerssuggestedorunderstoodwithoutbeingopenlyor directlyexpressedintheldquonecessaryandproperrdquoclause(USConstitution ArticleISection8Clause18)
Inferior courtsAtermintheUSConstitutionmeaningcourtscreatedby theCongressthatareldquolowerrdquothantheSupremeCourt
Item veto The power given to the Governor permitting him or her to veto items of an appropriation bill while signing the remaining sections intolaw
Judicial review The authority of the courts to decide if laws are ConstitutionalornotTheMarbury v Madisoncaseestablishedtheprinciple ofjudicialreviewin1803
Lame DuckAn officeholder who has failed to be reelected but whose termisnotyetover
LayToimposelikeatax
Legislative redistricting ldquoIn the year following each Federal decennial census year the GeneralAssembly by law shall redistrict the Legislative DistrictsandtheRepresentativeDistrictsrdquo
LevyingTowagewar
MajorityOnemorethanhalf
MandamusAwritcommandingthataspecifiedthingbedone
Marbury v MadisonSeejudicialreview
MilitiaStatearmy
MisdemeanorWrongdoingalessseriouscrimethanafelony
0
NominationA process of selecting a person to be the candidate for publicoffice
Oath Apromisetotellthetruth
Original jurisdictionAcourthearingacaseforthefirsttime
PetitionToaskthatsomethingbedone
Petit jury Atrialjuryconsistingof12jurors
Plessy v FergusonAn1896caseinwhichtheUSSupremeCourtuphelda Louisianalawrequiringthesegregationofwhitesandblacksonpassenger trains It held that the law did not violate the ldquoEqual Protection clauserdquo becausetheseparatefacilitiesforblackswereldquoequalrdquotothoseforwhites
PreambleAnintroductiontoadocument
Privileges and immunities The US Constitution guarantees privileges and immunities (basic civic rights and freedoms) only to citizens of the UnitedStates
Pro temporeForthetimebeing
QuorumTheminimumnumberofmembersofanorganizationwhomust bepresenttoconductofficialbusiness
Ratification The action of officially confirming or accepting a treaty a constitutionoraconstitutionalamendment
ReprieveAdelay
Republican form of governmentAsystemofgovernmentbywhichpeople governthemselvesThisdoesnotimplyapoliticalparty
0
Reserved powers ldquoThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to states are reserved to the states respectivelyortothepeoplerdquo(10thAmendment)
Revenue Moniescomingin
Separation of PowersA constitutional principle that distributes power amongthethreebranchesofgovernment
SovereigntyCompleteindependenceandself-government
StaffAnothernameforaflagpole
State of Union AddressTheConstitutionstatesldquoHe(thePresident)shall fromtimetotimegivetotheCongressinformationofthestateoftheUnion and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedientrdquo (Article II Section 3) Soon after the beginning ofeachcongressionalsessionthePresidentdeliversthisaddressbeforeboth housesofCongressmembersoftheCabinetSupremeCourtandtheforeign diplomaticcorpsInhisaddressthePresidentreportsontheconditionof thenationintermsofforeignanddomesticaffairsandsuggestslegislation TheGovernorgivesanannualldquoStateoftheStaterdquoaddress
SuffrageTherighttovote
TreasonLevyingwaragainsttheUnitedStatesorgivingaidandcomfort toitsenemies
Treaty Anagreementusuallybetweendifferentnations
Unanimous Allvotersvotethesameway
VetoThepowerofachiefexecutivetorejectabill
WritAformallegaldocumentorderingorprohibitingsomeaction
0
0
ParT siX answers
declaration of independence
answers focus Your reading 1 TwotopicscoveredintheDeclarationofIndependenceareasfollows
(1) ThetheoryofAmericangovernment (2) ThelistingofthewrongsdonetotheAmericansbytheEnglish
government 2 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthegovernmentrsquospower
isgiventoitbythepeople 3 July 4 1776 was the date that the Declaration of Independence
becameeffective 4 Thomas Jefferson was one of the major writers of the Declaration
ofIndependence
writing the Constitution introduction
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4a 2b 5c 3d 6f
answers focus Your reading 1 ThefirstplanfortheUSgovernmentwastheArticlesofConfederation 2 TheArticlesofConfederationfailedbecauseeachstatehadtoomuch
powerandthefederalgovernmenthadtoolittlepower 3 TheConventionmetin1787 4 ItwasheldinPhiladelphia 5 ThetheoryofAmericangovernmentisthatthepowersofgovernment
restwiththepeople 6 TherearesevenarticlesintheUSConstitution 7 ThefirstCongressthatmetafterthesigningoftheUSConstitution
in1791wrotetheBillofRights(thefirsttenamendments)
8 The first ten amendments guarantee personal freedoms to each Americancitizen
9 The three parts of the Constitution are (1) the Preamble (2) the Articlesand(3)theAmendments
10 Nationalfederalandcentralaretermsusedtorefertothegovernment inWashingtonDC
writing the Constitution The federal system and separation of Powers
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 3a 2d 4c
answers focus Your reading 1 A federal system of government has several states united under
one central government The central government is the strongest government
2 ArticleIgives18delegatedpowerstotheUSCongress
3 Congress gets additional powers from the ldquonecessary and properrdquo clauseofArticleI
4 Eachstategets itspower fromthe10thAmendment It says thatall powersnotdelegatedtotheUSCongressnorprohibitedtothestates belongtothestatesorthepeople
5 Therearethreebranchesinthefederalgovernment
6 The three branches in the federal government are the Legislative ExecutiveandJudicial
7 The division of powers among the three branches of the federal governmentiscalledtheseparationofpowers
8 Article I The Legislative Branch ndash Describes and explains the lawmakingprocess
9 ArticleIITheExecutiveBranchndashDescribesandexplainstheexecution ofthelaws
10 ArticleIIITheJudicialBranchndashDescribesandexplainsinterpreting thelaws
article i The legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1k 4b 7j 10f 2a 5h 8d 11g 3i 6c 9e 12l
answers focus Your reading 1 The ldquoGreat Compromiserdquo was the creation of Congress during the
ConstitutionalConventionCongresswastobemadeupoftheSenate andtheHouseofRepresentativesIntheSenatethesmallstateswere givenasmanymembersasthe largestates IntheHouse the large statesreceivedmorerepresentation
2 ThesmallstateslikedtheideaoftheSenatebecauseallstateswere equallyrepresentedthere
3 Until1913eachstatersquoslawmakerselectedthesenatorsfromtheirstate Therepresentativeshavealwaysbeenelectedbythepeople
4 Eachstateisresponsibleforconductingtheelectionsthatchoosethe peoplewhowillrepresentthestateinCongress
5 BoththeHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenatedetermineiftheir members have met the legislative qualifications and if they have beenproperlyelected
6 AcensusisacountingoftheUSpopulationeverytenyears
7 The House of Representatives is reapportioned every ten years aftereachcensus
8 TheleaderoftheHouseiscalledtheSpeakeroftheHouseHeorsheis amemberoftheHouseandiselectedbytheothermembers
9 The Senate leader is the Vice President of the United States When he or she must miss a meeting an elected temporary leader leads the Senate This elected temporary leader is called the President protempore
10 Senatorsmustbe30-years-oldandhavebeenUS citizens fornine years They do not have to benatural-born citizens but they must liveinthestatetheyrepresent
11 Representativesmustbe25-years-oldandhavebeenUScitizensfor sevenyearsTheydonothavetobenatural-borncitizensbutthey mustliveinthestatetheyrepresent
12 Some important powers of Congress are to raise and support an armycollecttaxesborrowmoneyregulatetradecoinmoneysetup courtslowerthantheSupremeCourtdeclarewarfixthestandards ofweightsandmeasuresandsetuppostoffices
13 ArticleIgivesthePresidentthepowertoapproveorvetothelaws whichCongressmakes
14 Three important things that Congress cannot do are the following (1) suspend writsof habeas corpus (2) issue bills of attainder and (3)passexpostfactolaws
15 Anexpostfactolawmakesanactacrimeafterithasbeencommitted People may not be punished for what they did before that law waspassed
16 A bill of attainder was a legislative act in England that allowed a person to be punished without a trial Bills of attainder are illegal intheUnitedStates
17 Awritofhabeascorpus(tohavethebodyofevidence)isacourtorder thatrequiresthataprisonerbebroughtbeforeajudgetodetermine if he or she is being held lawfully the prisoner must be told the reasonforhisorherarrest
18 Atleastonceeachyear
how a bill becomes a law
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 4f 2b 5d 3a 6c
answers focus Your reading 1 OnlytheHouseofRepresentativesmayintroduceappropriationbills
(billsthatinvolvethespendingofthetaxpayersrsquomoney) 2 AsenatormaygivealongspeechthatwillpreventtheSenatefrom
votingonabillThisactioniscalledafilibuster 3 ThePresidenthastendaysinwhichtovetoabill 4 ThePresidentialvetopoweroccurswhenthePresidentrejectsabill
ThePresidentsendsthebillbacktothehousewhereitbeganwithin tendays(Sundaysnotincluded)ofreceivingthebillHealsosendsa messagetoCongressthatgiveshisreasonsforrejectingthebill
5 Apocket veto occurs when the Congress adjourns within ten days (Sundaysnotincluded)andthePresidentbytakingnoactionkills thebillIfthePresidentdoesnotsignorvetoabillwithintendays (Sundays not included) after he receives it the bill becomes law withouthissignature
6 Alobbyististhenamegiventoindividualswhotrytoinfluencethe waymembersofCongressvote
article ii The executive branch
answers focus Your reading 1 TheElectoralCollegeactuallyelectsthePresidentandVicePresident 2 AcandidateforPresidentmustwinonlyamajorityoftheElectoral
votes he or she does not have to win a majority of the popular votes
3 Ifnocandidatereceivesamajority(morethanhalf)oftheElectoral votesthentheHouseofRepresentativeschoosesthePresidentfrom thethreecandidateswhoreceivedthemostElectoralvotes
4 TheLegislativeBranch(Congress)hasthepowertodeclarewar
5 ThePresidentistheCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForces
6 The requirements to be President are that he or she must be (1) a natural-borncitizen(2)atleast35yearsoldand(3)aUSresident forfourteenyears
7 The Congress can punish Executive Branch officials who have committed wrongs against the government by holding an impeachmenthearingandtrial
8 InimpeachmentactionstheHouseofRepresentativesaccusestheofficial ofwrongdoingand theSenate tries theofficial If theSenate finds the officialldquoguiltyrdquotheofficialloseshisorherofficeinthegovernment
9 TheExecutiveBranchdealswithforeignnations 10 ThePresidentcanmaketreatieswithforeignnations 11 Two-thirds of the senators present at the meeting must approve
treatiesmadebythePresident 12 The President can serve no more than two four-year terms and no
more than an additional two years of another Presidentrsquos term thereforenoPresidentcanservemorethantenyears
13 AttherequestofthePresident
article iii The Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1c 4e 2d 5b 3a
answers focus Your reading 1 TheConstitutioncreatedonecourttheUSSupremeCourt 2 CongresssetsthenumberofSupremeCourtJustices(judges) 3 There are now three types of federal courts (1) the US Supreme
Court(2)theUSCircuitCourtsofAppealsand(3)theUSDistrict Courts
4 TheSupremeCourthasoriginaljurisdictionincasesthatinvolvethe statesandincaseswhichinvolveforeigncountries
5 TheUSDistrictCourtstrycasesthatinvolvebreakingalawwritten byCongresslawsintheConstitutionorbetweenthecitizensoftwo differentstatesTheydonothearappeals
6 TheUSCircuitCourtsofAppealshearcases thatwerenotsettled intheUSDistrictCourtsNocasesbeginintheUSCircuitCourts ofAppeals
7 Atrialmustbeheldinthestateinwhichthecrimewascommitted
8 Treason is fighting or working against the United States during timeofwar
9 Ifapersonistobeconvictedoftreasontwowitnessesmusttestifyin opencourtortheaccusedmustconfessinopencourt
10 There are nine Supreme Court Justices eight associates and the ChiefJustice
11 Federal judgesserve for lifeas longas theyhaveldquogoodbehaviorrdquo Theycanretireatage70
12 Federal judges may lose their jobs if Congress completes an impeachmentactionagainstthem
Checks and balances
answers focus Your reading 1 TheLegislativecheckstheExecutive
bull The Senate accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos treaties and the appointments of federal judges ambassadors and cabinet members
bull Congress accepts or rejects the Presidentrsquos choice of a VicePresident
bull CongresscanpassalawoverthePresidentrsquosvetoandCongress canremoveExecutiveBranchofficialsthroughanimpeachment trial
2 TheLegislativecheckstheJudicial bull Congresscanremovefederaljudgesthroughimpeachment bull TheSenateacceptsorrejectstheappointmentoffederaljudges
3 TheExecutivecheckstheLegislative bull The President can approve or veto the laws that Congress
makes 4 TheExecutivecheckstheJudicial
bull ThePresidentappointsfederaljudges 5 TheJudicialcheckstheLegislative
bull The Supreme Court can declare a law that Congress makes unconstitutional
6 TheJudicialcheckstheExecutive bull TheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtservesasthejudgein
animpeachmenttrialofthePresident bull The Supreme Court may declare an action by the President
unconstitutional 7 JudicialreviewistheprinciplethatallowstheSupremeCourttodecide
iflawsmadebyCongressdoordonotfollowtheConstitution 8 ThecaseMarbury v MadisonestablishedtheSupremeCourtrsquosprinciple
ofjudicialreview(Theprincipleofjudicialreviewwasnotgivento theSupremeCourtbytheConstitution)
articles iV-Vii
answers focus Your reading 1 Extraditionistheprocessbywhichthegovernorofastatereturnsa
persontothestatewhereheorshehasbeenaccusedofacrimeThe governoroftheaccusingstatemustrequestthepersonrsquosreturn
2 You can become a citizen of another state by moving to the state andlivingthere
3 A statersquos boundaries may be changed only if the state legislature andCongressagree
4 TheConstitutionguaranteesthateachstateshallhavearepublican formofgovernment(agovernmentinwhichthepowerscomefrom thepeople)
5 ArticleVIstatesthattheUSConstitutionlawsmadebytheCongress andUStreatiesarethesupremelawsoftheland
6 Two-thirdsofbothhousesofCongressmayproposeanamendment two-thirds of the state legislatures may ask Congress to call a conventionthatwillproposetheamendment
7 Anamendmentmustberatified(approved)byeitherthree-fourthsof thestatelegislaturesorthree-fourthsofthestateconventions
8 NinestateshadtoapprovetheConstitutionbeforeitcouldbecome law
The amendments
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 5c 8i 2b 6d 9g 3a 7j 10h 4f
answers focus Your reading 1 The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of
Rights 2 The 1stAmendment guarantees the right of free speech peaceful
assemblyfreepressfreechoiceofreligionandtherighttopetition 3 The 5thAmendment guarantees protection from self-incrimination
the right to a grand jury protection against double jeopardy due processoflawandeminentdomain
4 The 6thAmendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer the 7thAmendment guarantees a trial by jury and the 8thAmendment guarantees a person will not have to give an excessive bail The 8thAmendmentalsoguarantees thatpunishmentswillnotbe cruel andunusual
5 There are three amendments that are referred to as the Civil War Amendments (1) the 13thAmendment abolished slavery (2) the 14thAmendmentgaveUScitizenshiptoformerslavesandguaranteed dueprocessof lawandequalprotectionunder laws toall citizens and (3) the 15thAmendment gave the former male slaves the right tovote
6 In the case of Brown v Board of Education segregated schools were judgedtobeunequalSincethe14thAmendmentguaranteesequality toallthesegregatedschoolsweredeclaredunconstitutional
7 The14thAmendmentappliedtheBillofRightstoallcitizensincluding formerslaves
8 Womenweregiventherighttovotebythe19thAmendment(1920) 9 The 26thAmendment gives 18-year-old citizens the right to vote
(1971)
displaying the flag
answers focus Your reading 1 When the US flag is displayed with the flags from other nations
it should be at the same height as the other flags It should be approximatelythesamesize
2 When the US flag is carried in a procession it should be to the marching right If there is a line of flags it should be to the front andcenteroftheline
3 The US flag should be allowed to fall free It should not touch anythingbeneathitItshouldnotbedrapedonanyvehicle
4 The US flag should not be displayed upside down except as a distresssignal
5 WhentheUSflagisdisplayedonastaffwiththeflagsofstatescities orlocalitiestheUSflagshouldbeatthepeak
6 TheUSflagcanbeflownfromsunrisetosunsetonstateandnational holidaysandatnightwithalight
illinois Constitution articles i-iii
answers focus Your reading 1 ArticleIistheBillofRightsintheIllinoisConstitution 2 The Illinois Constitution guarantees citizens that they will not be
discriminatedagainstbecauseofaphysicalormentalhandicap 3 Personsconvictedofafelonyarenotallowedtovotewhileinprison
0
4 To be eligible to register to vote in Illinois you must be (1) a US citizen (2) 18 years of age or older at the time of the election and (3) have lived in an election precinct for at least 30 days prior to theelection
illinois Constitution article iV The state legislative branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5d 2a 6g 3e 7h 4c 8f
answers focus Your reading 1 MembersoftheIllinoisGeneralAssemblyareelectedfromdistricts
Onestatesenatoriselectedfromeachofthe59legislativedistricts andoneHousememberiselectedfromeachofthe118representative districts
StateSenate 59members
HouseofRepresentatives 118members
2 Abicamerallegislatureisatwo-houselegislaturesuchastheIllinois GeneralAssemblyandtheUSCongress
3 A bill (a proposed law) must pass both houses of the General AssemblyForabilltopassitmustbeapprovedbyamajorityvote ineachhouseAfterabillispasseditissenttotheGovernorwithin thirtycalendardaysIftheGovernorsigns(approves)abillitbecomes lawIftheGovernordoesnotapproveofthebillheorshevetoesit TheGovernorreturnsthebillalongwithhisorherobjectionstothe housewherethebillbegan
4 ThestateconstitutionauthorizestheGovernortoconvenetheGeneral AssemblyinaspecialsessionTheGovernorissuesaproclamation anditstatesthepurposeofthesession
5 TheGovernormayvetooneormore items inanappropriationbill without vetoing the entire bill This is called the power of item veto
6 TheHousehas the solepower toconduct legislative investigations oftheExecutiveandJudicialBranchesTheHousehastheauthority to impeach (bring charges) The Senate has the sole power to try impeachmentcasesinvolvingstateofficers
7 Each house of the GeneralAssembly determines the rules of its proceedings and judges the elections returns and qualifications ofitsmembers
illinois Constitution article V The state executive branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1b 5f 2c 6g 3a 7d 4e
answers focus Your reading 1 YesthesixelectedofficialsintheExecutiveBranchhavedutiesthat
aredescribedinArticleVoftheConstitution 2 NoonlytheGovernorandtheLieutenantGovernormustbeofthe
samepoliticalparty 3 Yes the Governor may remove any officer whom he or she has
appointed for incompetence neglect of duty or malfeasance while inoffice
4 To be eligible to hold the office of Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Comptroller or Treasurer a personmustbe(1)aUScitizen(2)at least25yearsoldand(3)a residentofthisstateforthreeyearsprecedinghisorherelection
illinois Constitution article Vi The state Judicial branch
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1f 4a 2d 5c 3e 6b
answers focus Your reading 1 Illinois has three types of courts The federal government also has
threetypes 2 The three typesof Illinois courtsare theSupremeCourtAppellate
(appeals)CourtsandCircuit(trial)Courts 3 Withtheexceptionoftheassociatejudgeswhoareappointedjudges
are elected in Illinois In the federal courts the President appoints alljudges
4 TherearefivejudicialdistrictsinIllinois 5 Originaljurisdictioniswhenacourthearsacaseforthefirsttime 6 TheSupremeCourtandtheCircuitCourtshaveoriginaljurisdiction
illinois Constitution articles Vii-XiV
answers Vocabulary Quiz 1e 6k 11b 2j 7d 12f 3i 8a 13o 4c 9n 14l 5g 10h 15m
answers focus Your reading 1 Astatelawshouldbefollowedbeforeacountyordinance 2 Illinoisrequiresitscitizenstopayanongraduatedincometax 3 Apersonhastwoyearstopayhisorhertaxesbeforefinallylosing
hisorherproperty
4 CertainpropertyinIllinois(suchaschurchproperty)isnottaxed 5 ldquoEducation in public schools through the secondary level is to be
freerdquo 6 TheGovernorisCommander-in-ChiefoftheIllinoisNationalGuard
inpeacetime 7 Publicmoneycanbeusedforpublictransportation 8 The General Assembly alone cannot pass amendments to the
ConstitutionThevotersofIllinoismustapprovetheamendments
Constitution Study Guide
of the
United Statesand the
State of Illinois
Published by the Illinois Community College Board
Illino
is Co
mm
un
ity Co
llege B
oard
401 E
ast Capitol A
venue S
pringfield Illinois 62701-1711
The Illin
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mu
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olleg
e Bo
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national origin religion or handicap
Produced by C
urriculum Publications C
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top related