TOPIC PAGEDeclarationofIndependence

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IntrototheConstitution

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Article1,CONGRESS 6-8Article2,EXECUTIVE 9-10Article3,JUDICIAL 11-12Articles4-7 13-14Amendments 15-17BillofRights 15-16FlagCode 18IllinoisConstitution 19-23

The U.S. Constitution

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9.11-The3BranchesofIllinoisGovernment

LEGISLATIVEmakeslaws

EXECUTIVEcarriesoutlaws

JUDICIALexplainslaws

GENERALASSEMBLYSenate--59senatorsfrom59legislativedistricts--electedbythepeople--1fromeachlegislativedistrict--term:2years

Qualifications--atleast21yearsold--U.S.citizen--residentofdistrictfor2years

HouseofRepresentatives--118representativesfrom118representativedistricts--term:2yearsQualifications(sameasforSenator)--atleast21yearsold--U.S.citizen--residentofdistrictfor2years

6electedofficials

Governor--chiefexecutiveofficerLieutenantgovernor--takesoverasgovernorifnecessaryAttorneygeneral--chieflegalofficerSecretaryofstate--keepsofficialrecordsComptroller--chieffiscalofficer,paysthebillsTreasurer--actsasthestate'sbanker

6officials--electedbythepeople--term:4yearsQualifications--atleast25yearsold--U.S.citizen--residentofIllinoisfor3years

3typesofcourtsSupremeCourt--7justices--electedbythepeople--term:10years

Appellatecourts--52appellatejudges--electedbythepeople--term:10years

DistrictCourtsIllinoisisdividedinto22judicialcircuits.Eachcircuithasachiefjudge,circuitjudges,andassociatejudges.

--circuitjudgesareelected--circuitjudgesserve6-yearterm

--associatejudgesareappointedbycircuitjudges--associatejudgesserve4-yearterm

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1.1–PrinciplesofTheDeclarationofIndependenceThomasJeffersonwrotemostoftheDeclarationofIndependenceinthesummerof1776.Itspurposewastoannouncethatthe13EnglishcoloniesinNorthAmericahaddecidedtobecomeindependentofEnglandandstarttheirowncountry.ThebulkoftheDeclarationisalistofgrievancesagainstKingGeorgeIII.Jeffersonusedideasaboutpeopleandgovernmentsthatwerenewinthe1600sand1700s.OneimportantideastatedintheDeclarationofIndependenceisthat"allmenarecreatedequal."JeffersonwrotethatGodgaverightstopeople--"Life,Liberty,andthepursuitofHappiness"--andthatnooneornogovernmentshouldbeabletotakethoserightsaway.Anotherideaisthatagovernmentgetsitspowerfromtheconsentofthepeoplebeinggoverned.Thisprincipleiscalledpopularsovereignty.TheDeclarationofIndependencestatesthatagovernmentgetsorderivesitspowerfromthepeopleitrules.Ifthegovernmentmisusesitspower,thepeoplehavetherighttorevoltandformanewgovernment.1.2HistoryofTheDeclarationofIndependenceBythemiddleofthe1700s,EnglishcolonistslivinginAmericahadsetuptheirowngovernmentsintownsandcolonies.Theyusuallymadetheirownlawsandchosethepeopletheywantedtorepresentthem.In1760,KingGeorgeIIIbecametherulerofGreatBritainanddecidedtotakemorecontrolofthecolonies.KingGeorgeandtheEnglishParliamentpassedtaxesandlawsthatthecolonistshatedandfeltwereunfair.In1774,agroupofcolonialleadersmet(theFirstContinentalCongress)andwrotealettertothekingdeclaringtheywereloyalsubjectsandaskinghimtoletthemelecttheirownleadersandmaketheirownlaws.KingGeorgeignoredthecolonists'complaintsandsaidthecolonieswereinrebellion.ThecolonistsfeltthatEnglandandthekinghadabusedtheirpower.SoThomasJeffersonwrotetherevolutionarydocument,theDeclarationofIndependence.Itsaidthatrevolutionsarejustifiedwhengovernmentsabusetheirpower."Itistheirright,theirduty,tothrowoffsuchGovernment.”Eachofthe13coloniessentrepresentativestoameetinginPhiladelphia,calledtheSecondContinentalCongress.OnJuly4,1776,these56delegatessignedandadoptedtheDeclarationofIndependence.

2.1IntroductionOurConstitutionwaswrittentoreplacetheArticlesofConfederation.TheArticlesofConfederationdidnotgiveenoughpowertothecentralgovernment.The13originalstatescouldnotacttogether.SotheU.S.Constitution,writtenin1787,gavestrongpowerstoaCongress,aPresidentandajudicialbranch.TheConstitutionprovidedthatitspeoplewouldelectthepeoplewhowouldrepresentthemintheCongress.TheConstitutionalsoguaranteestherightsandlibertiesoftheAmericanpeople,suchasfreedomofspeechandfreedomofreligion.2.2TheU.S.ConstitutionToday,theConstitutionremainsthemostimportantguidetoallpartsofgovernment.AccordingtoArticle6intheConstitution,itisthe"supremelawoftheland,"alongwithActsofCongress.Nostate,nobranchofgovernment,noperson,noelectedofficial--noteventhepresidentorCongress--canmakealaworenforceaconditionthatgoesagainsttheConstitution.TheConstitutioncontinuestoprotecttherightsandfreedomsofAmericancitizens.2.3Principles&PowersOurConstitutionisbasedonseveralimportantprinciples,ormainideas.Thefirstprincipleisthatourgovernmentgetsitspowerfromthepeople.Thisidea,calledpopularsovereignty,alsostatedintheDeclarationofIndependence,isanimportantConstitutionalprinciple,ormainidea.Thefirstprincipleisthatourgovernmentgetsitspowerfromthepeople.Thisidea,calledpopularsovereignty,wasalsostatedintheDeclarationofIndependence."WethePeople"arethefirstwordsoftheConstitutionandarewrittenlargerthananythingelse.Thewriterswantedtoemphasizethattheabilitytosetupandstartanewgovernmentcamefromthepeople.Asecondprincipleisfederalism.TheConstitutiondividespower,givingsomepowertothecentralornationalgovernmentandsomepowertostategovernments.AnothermainideaorprincipleintheConstitutionisseparationofpowers.ThefirstthreeArticlesdividethenationalgovernmentintothreebranches:legislative,executive,andjudicial.Eachbranchhasitsownuniqueandseparatepowers.ThewritersoftheConstitutiondidnotwantonepartofgovernmenttobecometoopowerful.Inadditiontodividingpowerintothreebranches,thewriterswerecarefultoaddchecksandbalancestotheConstitution.Eachbranchofgovernmenthassomelimitsplacedonitbyanotherbranch.Forexample,theSenatemustconfirmPresidentialappointments.AnotherexamplewouldbeCongress--thelegislativebranch--makesalllaws.ThePresident–theexecutivebranch--canthenvetoalawpassedbyCongress.ButthentheCongresscanoverridethePresidentwitha2/3voteofboththeHouseandtheSenate.OtherexamplesofcheckswouldbetheSupremeCourtfindinganactofCongressorthePresidentunconstitutional,orthePresident’sabilitytoappointSupremeCourtjustices.2.4WritingtheConstitutionIn1787,delegatesmetinIndependenceHalltorewritetheArticlesofConfederation.TheArticlesofConfederation,writtenaftertheDeclarationofIndependence,wereafirstattemptatdesigningagovernmentforthenewcountry.Butby1787,itwasobviousthattheArticlesofConfederationwereweakbecauseoflackofpowerinthecentralgovernment.55delegatesfrom12ofthe13statescametoPhiladelphiainMay1787toworkonthenewconstitution.

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Term.Circuitjudgesareelectedandservetermsof6years.Associatejudgesareappointedbythecircuitjudgesandservetermsof4years.Qualifications.AnIllinoisjudgemustbeaU.S.citizen,anattorneylicensedtopracticeinIllinois,aresidentofthedistrictorcircuit,andsincecircuitjudgesareelectedjudgesmustbemembersofapoliticalparty,butdonotneedtohavepreviousjudicialexperience. 9.10–ArticlesVII-XIV

§ ArticleVII:LocalGovernment.Article7givesrulesforlocalgovernments--forcounties,townships,andcities.TheStateofIllinoisgivestownsandcitieslikeBartlett“homerule”powers.Thismeansthatthecitycanmakesitsownordinances,haveitsownpoliceforce,anditsownpublicservices.Thispoweriscalled“homerule.”

§ ArticleVIII:Finance.Article8statesthatpublicmoneyandpropertycanonlybeusedforpublicpurposes.Article8explainshowpublicfundsaretobudgeted,spentandaudited.

§ ArticleIX:Revenue.Article9describeshowthestatecancollectmoney(revenue)fromthepeoplethroughtaxesonproperty,income,andsales.

§ ArticleX:Education.Article10providesforfreepubliceducationforallIllinoisresidentsthroughhighschool.

§ ArticleXI:Environment.Article11givestheGeneralAssemblypowertoinsureahealthyenvironmentforIllinoisresidents.

§ ArticleXII:Militia.Article12allowstheGeneralAssemblytoformastatemilitia(militaryforce)madeupofIllinoiscitizens.TheGovernoractsascommander-in-chiefofthestatemilitia.

§ ArticleXIII:GeneralProvisions.Article13givesseveralrulesforpersonsrunningorholdingofficeinIllinois.Article13alsostatesthatpublictransportationisanessentialpublicservice,onewhichtheGeneralAssemblycanspendpublicmoneyon.

§ ArticleXIV:ConstitutionalRevision.Article14explainshowtheIllinoisConstitutioncanbechanged.AmendmentstotheConstitutionmaybeproposedeitherbyaConstitutionalConventionorbytheGeneralAssembly.IfaConstitutionalConventionisheldtoreviseoramendtheConstitution,amajorityofIllinoisvotersmustapprovethechanges.IftheamendmentsareproposedbytheGeneralAssembly,theamendmentsmustbeapprovedbythree-fifthsofthevotersatthenextgeneralelection.

9.8–DutiesofIllinoisElectedExecutiveOfficials

Governorü ThegovernoristhechiefexecutiveofficerofIllinois.Heseesthatthelawsof

theGeneralAssemblyarecarriedout.ü TheGovernormakesanannualreporttotheGeneralAssemblyü Proposesabudgetforthestate,andsignsorvetoesbillspassedbythe

GeneralAssembly.StateagenciessuchastheIllinoisDepartmentofPublicHealth,theDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices,andtheDepartmentofTransportationcarryoutthelawsandpoliciesofthestate.

ü TheGovernorappointsthedirectorsstateagenciessuchastheDeptofPublicHealthandtheDeptofTransportation.

ü TheGovernornominatesstateofficials,butthenominationsmustbeapprovedbythestateSenate.

LieutenantGovernorü SimilartotheVicePresidentoftheUnitedStates.ü PerformsanydutiesassignedbytheGovernor.ü IftheGovernordiessuddenlyorisunabletoserve,theLieutenantGovernor

becomesgovernor.

AttorneyGeneralü ChieflegalofficerofIllinois.ü Representsthestate,stateagencies,andstateofficialsincourt.ü ChieflawenforcementofficerinIllinois.ü Coordinatescrime-fightingactivitieswithstate,county,andlocalauthorities.

SecretaryofStateü KeepstheofficialrecordsoftheGeneralAssemblyandtheexecutivebranch.ü Licensesdriversandkeepsdriversrecords,issuesvehiclelicenseplatesand

titles,andregisterscorporations.

Comptrollerü ChieffiscalofficerforIllinois.ü Reviewsallbillsandpayments,paysthestate’sbills,keepsrecords,andhelps

setfinancialpoliciesforthestate.

Treasurerü Actsasthestate’sbanker,keepingandinvestingthemoneythestatereceives

throughtaxes.

9.9–ArticleVI–TheJudicialDepartmentArticle6setsupthecourtssystemforIllinois.Thereare3typesofcourtsinIllinois--theSupremeCourt,appellatecourts,andcircuitortrialcourts--muchlikethefederalcourtsystem.§ TheIllinoisSupremeCourtismadeupof7judges,calledjustices.Supreme

Courtjusticesareelectedbythepeopleandserveatermof10years.§ Appellatecourtshearappealsfromcircuitcourts.Atotalof52appellatecourt

judgesareelected.Appellatecourtjudgesalsoservetermsof10years.§ Circuitcourtshearmosttrials.Illinoisisdividedinto22judicialcircuits.Each

circuithasachiefcircuitjudge,othercircuitjudges,andassociatejudges.Currentlythereare865circuitandassociatejudgesinIllinois.

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2.5TheGreatCompromiseAllofthedelegateswantedtocreatearepresentativeformofgovernment.Peoplewouldelectrepresentatives,andtheserepresentativeswouldmakedecisionsforthem.AllthedelegateswantedtohaveaCongresstomakelaws.EachstatewouldelectrepresentativestoCongress.Butthedelegatescouldnotagreeonhowmanyrepresentativeseachstateshouldhave.Stateswithalotofpeoplethoughtthattheyshouldhavemoremembersthanstateswithfewerpeople.Butstateswithfewerpeopledidn'twanttheotherstatestohavemorepowerinCongressthantheyhad,sotheythoughtallstatesshouldhavethesamenumberofmembers.Acompromise,calledtheGreatCompromise,settledthedisagreement.Congresswouldhavetwoparts--aSenateandaHouseofRepresentatives.Inonepart,theSenate,eachstatewouldhavethesamenumberofmembers.Intheotherpart,theHouseofRepresentatives,stateswouldhavedifferentnumbersofmembersdependingonhowmanypeoplelivedineachstate.Stateswithmorepeoplewouldhavemorerepresentatives.Morethananyoneelse,itwasJamesMadisonwhosewordsandideasslowlyconvinceddelegatesthatanewconstitutionandastrongcentralgovernmentwereneeded.Madisonmademorethan150speechesduringtheConstitutionalConventionandwrotemuchoftheConstitution.HeisknownastheFatheroftheConstitution.

2.6OverviewoftheConstitutionTheConstitutionismadeupof3parts,thepreamble,thearticles,andtheamendments.WhenthedelegatessignedtheConstitutiononSeptember17,1787,itcontainedthepreambleand7articles.In1791,thefirst10amendments,theBillofRights,wereadded.Since1791,17otheramendmentshavebeenaddedtotheConstitution.TheConstitutionsetsupafederalsystemofgovernmentwhichmeanspowerissharedbetweenthenationalgovernmentandstategovernments.ArticlesI,II,andIIIseparatethepowerofthenationalgovernmentinto3branches:legislative,executive,andjudicial.OtherarticlestellhowtochangeandapprovetheConstitutionandhowstateswillworkwitheachotherandthenationalgovernment.

THEPREAMBLEThePreambleistheone-paragraphintroductiontotheConstitution.ItbeginstheConstitutionbystatingthegoalsoftheConstitution,tellingwhyitwaswritten.§ WethePeopleoftheUnitedStates,inOrdertoformamoreperfectUnion,

establishJustice,insuredomesticTranquility,provideforthecommondefense,promotethegeneralWelfare,andsecuretheBlessingsofLibertytoourselvesandourPosterity,doordainandestablishthisConstitutionfortheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

TheConstitutionwaswrittenover200yearsago.Belowisamoremodernstatementofthepreamble:§ WethepeopleoftheUnitedStateswanttoformabettercountry,createa

fairandjustlegalsystem,havepeaceinsidethecountry,defendourcountryfromothercountries,helpeveryoneliveabetterlife,andmakesurethesethingslastduringourlifetimesandourchildren's.Therefore,wemakeandauthorizethisplanofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

THEARTICLES(7)§ ArticleI(1)TheLegislativeBranchalongpartwith10sections,createsthe

Congresstomakelaws,dividesCongressintoaSenateandHouseofRepresentatives,makesrulesforelectionofmembers,givessomepowerstoCongress,limitsotherpowers.

§ ArticleII(2)TheExecutiveBranchsetsupthepresidencyandvicepresidencytocarryoutorexecutethelaws,electionrules,powersofthepresident,howtoimpeach.ItissignificantthattheFramersoftheConstitutiondidnotputtheExecutivebranchfirst..Inoursystemthepeople’sbranch,Congress,camefirst.

§ ArticleIII(3)TheJudicialBranchsetsuptheSupremeCourt,dutiesandpowersofSupremeCourtandfederalcourts,powerofjudicialreview,definestreason

§ ArticleIV(4)TheStatescreatesrulesforstatestogetalongwithotherstates,guaranteestostates,admittingstatestoUnion

§ ArticleV(5)MakingAmendmentshowtoaddamendmentstotheConstitution

§ ArticleVI(6)SupremeLawoftheLandtheConstitutionisthehighestlawoftheland

§ ArticleVII(7)RatificationtheConstitutionbecameeffectivewhen9outof13statesapprovedit

§ TheAmendments(27Total)Firsttenreferredtoasthe“BillofRights”o SEENEXTPAGE

WhatisNOTintheConstitution.ItisinterestingtonotethefollowingprominentfeaturesofourgovernmentalsystemarenotwrittenintheConstitution:§ JudicialReview,thepowerofcourtstorulethatActsofCongressorthe

Presidentcanbecalledunconstitutional.§ PoliticalParties.AscommonandpowerfulastheDemocraticandRepublican

partiesare,politicalpartiesarenotmentionedintheConstitution.§ The9justicesontheSupremeCourt.WhiletheConstitutionprovidesfora

SupremeCourt,itdoesnotspecifyhowmanyjusticesmustbeonit,noristherearequirementforaSupremeCourtjusticetobeaU.S.citizen!

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9.4–ArticleII–ThePowersofStateArticleIIoftheIllinoisConstitutiondividesthestategovernmentinto3branches;thelegislative,theexecutive,andthejudicial.9.5–ArticleIII–Suffrage&ElectionsArticle3setsupvotingqualificationsandelectionlaws.TovoteapersonmustbeaU.S.citizen,18yearsold,andaresidentofIllinoisforatleast30dayspriortotheelection.Peoplemustregistertovoteinthecountytheylive.9.6–ArticleIV–TheLegislatureArticle4providesrulesforthelegislativebranchofIllinoisgovernment,knownastheGeneralAssembly.SimilartotheU.S.Congress,theGeneralAssemblyisdividedinto2houses,theSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives.Senatorsareelectedfrom59legislativedistricts.Representativesareelectedfrom118representativedistricts.TobeelectedtotheGeneralAssemblyapersonmustbeaU.S.citizen,atleast21yearsold,andaresidentofthedistricttoberepresentedforatleast2years.Theydonotneedtobeborninthestate.MembersoftheGeneralAssemblyareelectedevery2years.MembersoftheGeneralAssemblymakelawsforthestateofIllinois.Eachlawbeginsasabill,orproposedlaw,ineithertheSenateortheHouseofRepresentatives.ThebillmustbepassedbyamajorityofboththeSenateandtheHouseandthenmustbesenttotheGovernorwithin30daysofitspassing.Thegovernorcansignthebillorvetoit.Ifthegovernorsignsthebill,itbecomesalaw.Ifthegovernorvetoesthebill,itcannotbecomealaw,unlesstheGeneralAssemblyoverridesthegovernor’sveto.Tooverridethegovernor’sveto,three-fifthsofthemembersofboththeSenateandtheHousemustvoteinfavorofthebill,andthebillbecomesalaw.9.7–ArticleV–TheExecutiveDepartmentArticle5givesrulesfortheexecutivebranchofIllinoisgovernment.SixofficialsareelectedbythepeopleofIllinois:Governor,LieutenantGovernor,AttorneyGeneral,SecretaryofState,Comptroller,andTreasurer.ThecurrentGovernorisBruceRauner,aRepublican,whobeatoutsittingGovernorPatQuinn,aDemocrat,inthe2014gubernatorialelection.TorunforoneoftheseofficesapersonmustbeaU.S.citizen,atleast25yearsold,andaresidentofIllinoisfor3years.Eachofficialservesafour-yearterm.Thegovernor’selectionisstaggeredfromthePresidentialelection.Thenextgovernor’selectionwillbeinNovemberof2010andthenextPresidentialelectionisNovember2010.TheGovernoristhechiefexecutiveofficerofIllinois,justasthePresidentisthechiefexecutiveofficeroftheUnitedstates.ManyofthepowersoftheGovernoraresimilartothepowersoftheU.S.president.Onedifferencehowever,isthepowertheGovernorhastovetoorreduceitemsofspendingbills.Thisiscalledthe“lineitemveto”power.TheGovernorcaneliminatecertainitemsfromthebillbutapprovetherestofthebill.ThePresidentcannotdothis;thePresidentcanonlyapproveorvetotheentirebill.

9–THEILLINOISCONSTITUTION9.1–IntroductiontotheIllinoisConstitutionIn1787theUnitedStatesConstitutionsetupafederalsystemofgovernmentgivingsomepowerstothenationalgovernmentandotherpowerstothestateandlocalgovernments.TheU.S.Constitutiontoldeachstateitmustsetupitsowngovernmentandwriteitsownconstitution.Statesmusthavegovernmentssimilartothefederalgovernment,andthepeopleofthestatewouldelecttheirrepresentatives.Illinoisbecameastatein1818andhadtohaveitsownconstitutionbeforeitcouldbecomeastate.ThecurrentcapitalofIllinoisisSpringfield;itisthe3rdstatecapital.ThecurrentIllinoisConstitutionwasadoptedandratifiedin1970andwentintoeffectin1971.TherelativeyoungageoftheIllinoisConstitutionisdemonstratedbytheprotectionitprovidesagainstdiscriminationforwomenandthehandicapped,anditssectiononCrimeVictim’sRights.TheConstitutionhasashortpreambleandfourteenarticles.TheU.S.Constitutionaddsamendmentsattheendinaseparatepart,butwhentheIllinoisConstitutionmakesamendments,thechangesaremadetothearticles.9.2–ThePreambleThePreambletotheIllinoisConstitutionisanintroductoryparagraphwhichexplainswhyitwaswritten.Thepreambleisshownbelow;someofthewordingissimilartothepreambletotheU.S.Constitution.

We,thePeopleoftheStateofIllinois-gratefultoAlmightyGodforthecivil,politicalandreligiouslibertywhichHehaspermittedustoenjoyandseekingHisblessinguponourendeavors-inordertoprovideforthehealth,safetyandwelfareofthepeople;maintainarepresentativeandorderlygovernment;eliminatepovertyandinequality;assurelegal,socialandeconomicjustice;provideopportunityforthefullestdevelopmentoftheindividual;insuredomestictranquility;provideforthecommondefenseandsecuretheblessingsoffreedomandlibertytoourselvesandourposterity-doordainandestablishthisConstitutionfortheStateofIllinois.

9.3–ArticleI–TheBillofRightsArticleIoftheIllinoisConstitutionstatesmanyoftheindividualrightsandlibertiesfoundintheBillofRightsoftheU.S.Constitution.Forexample,ArticleIguaranteesfreedomofreligion,freedomofspeech,therighttoassembleandpetition,therighttobeararms,freedomfromselfincrimination,andtherighttoatrialbyjury.ArticleIguaranteesdueprocessandequalprotectionwhichmeanseveryoneisentitledtothesamebasicrightsandthesamefairproceduresunderthelaw.ArticleIforbidsdiscriminationonthebasisofsexandonthebasisofphysicalormentalhandicaps—astatementwhichisnotfoundintheU.S.Constitution.OnesectionofArticleIistherightofeminentdomain.Eminentdomainallowsthegovernmenttopurchaseprivatepropertyforpublicuse.Forexample,ifapieceoflandisneededtobuildahighwayorabridgetobeusedbyallthepeople,thestatehastherighttobuythelandforafairpriceeveniftheownerdoesnotwanttoselltheland.

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3-ARTICLEI.3.1-IntroductionNotice,theFoundingFathersdidnotmakeArticleIabouttheExecutivebranch,aboutthePresident.TheydidnotwanttohavethePresidentbeaKing.TheymadethefirstArticledealwiththelegislativebranch,thebranchclosesttothepeople.ArticleIoftheConstitutionsetsuptheCongress.CongressismadeupoftheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives.ArticleIdescribesthepowersgivenordelegatedtoCongress.ThemainresponsibilityofCongressistomakelawsfortheUnitedStates,butCongresshasotherduties.ArticleIalsolimitsthepowersofCongressandnamescertainthingsthatCongresscannotdo,suchasmakeexpostfactolaws.WhentheHouseandSenatemeet,anofficialvoteormeetingisnotvalidifthereisnotaquorum–½themembersplus1.3.2–PowersDelegatedtoCongress

Money

ü collecttaxes,printandcoinmoney,ü decidehowtospendmoney(BillstodothisMUSTarise

intheHouse,nottheSenate)ü raiseorborrowmoney(BillstodothisMUSTariseinthe

House,nottheSenate)

War ü declarewar

Justice

ü setupfederalcourtsü impeachpresidentorotherfederalofficial(Thiscanonly

bedonebytheHouse)ü actasajuryforaPresidentwhohasbeenimpeached.

(OnlytheSenatedoesthis)

Regulations

ü createandrunpostofficesü setupstandardsofweightsandmeasuresü buildandmaintainhighwaysü passcopyrightandpatentlawsü passlawsaboutimmigrationandnaturalization

Foreignrelations

ü approvesordisapprovestreatieswithothercountries(onlytheSenatedoesthis.(nottheHouse)

Amendments ü proposeamendmentstotheConstitution

Overrideü CongresscanoverrideaPresidentialvetobya2/3

majorityvoteofeachhouse.

Commerce ü controlbusinessbetweenstates(interstatecommerce)ü controltradebetweenU.S.andothercountries

ElasticClauseü Art.I,Sec.8,Clause18.GivespowertoCongresstodo

whateveris“necessaryandproper”todoitsduties.Itthereforestretches,likeelastic,thepowerofCongress.

3.3-PowersForbiddentoCongress-ArticleIprohibitsorforbidsCongressfromdoingthefollowing:Cannotpassexpostfactolaw

expostfactomeans"afterthefact"Anexpostfactolawmakesanactillegalafterithasbeendone.Forexampleyoudrive50mphonastreetonMonday,whichislegal.Tuesdaythespeedlimitisloweredto35.Youcan’tbepunishedfordriving50mph,becauseyoudiditbeforethechange.

Cannotpassbillofattainder.abillofattainderisalawthatpunishesapersonwithoutatrial

CannotsuspendwritofhabeascorpusAwritofhabeascorpusprotectspeoplefromillegalimprisonment.Apersoncannotbeputinjailorprisonuntilheorshehasappearedbeforeajudge.Thereasonforarresthastobeexplainedtothepersonandthejudge,anditmustbeputinwriting(“writ”).ArticleIsaysthisrightcannotbesuspendedortakenaway,exceptfor“rebellionorinvasion.”

CannotgranttitleofnobilityCongresscannotmakeanyoneakingorqueen,dukeorduchess,princeorprincess.NoroyaltitlescanbegivenbytheU.S

CannotestablishareligionThoughthisisnotinArticleI,(itisintheFirstAmendment)thisisanimportantprohibitiononCongress.

3.4–TheU.S.SenateCongressisdividedintotwohouses,theSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives.AccordingtotheConstitution,eachstateelects2senators.Nowthereare100senatorsbecausethereare50states.ThenumberofsenatorshaschangedovertheyearsasthenumberofstatesintheU.S.increased.Senatorsareelectedfor6years,butelectionsarestaggeredsothatabout33senatorsareupforelectioneverytwoyears.3.5–InformationAboutSenators.Between31-36Senatorsareupforelectioneverytwoyears.

Howmanyü ThenumberofSenatorsdependsonhowmanystates

thereare.2Senatorsareelectedfromeachstate.Sincethereare50statesnow,thereare100Senatorsnow.

Requirements ü mustbe30yearsold,andmustbeaU.S.citizenfor9years

Termofoffice ü 6years

Presidingofficer

ü theVicePresidentoftheU.S.(Heonlyvotesifthereisatie)

ü thepresidentprotemporepresidesovertheSenatewhentheVPisabsent

Specialduties

ü approvesordisapprovestreatieswithothercountries(mustbeby2/3)

ü approvesordisapprovespresidentialappointments(exceptforthePresident’schoiceofVP)

ü TheSenatesitsasajurytotryimpeachmentcases.Theydecideguiltorinnocence.

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8-THEU.S.FLAGCODE8.1-IntroductiontotheU.S.FlagCode,theNationalAnthem,andthePledgeofAllegiance.TheFlagCodeisasetofrulespassedbytheU.S.Congress.TheFlagCodetellswhen,where,andhowtheU.S.flagshouldbedisplayed.TheCodealsonamesthe“StarSpangledBanner”asournationalanthem(song).ItwaswrittenbyFrancisScottKeywhilehewasonaboatinBaltimoreHarborduringtheWarof1812.8.2-FlagCodeRulesWhentodisplaytheflag

Ifoutside,theflagshouldbeflownfromsunrisetosunset.However,itcanbedisplayed24hoursifitisproperlylit.Theflagshouldbeflowneveryday,especiallyonnationalholidayssuchasMemorialDayandVeteransDay.

Howtodisplaytheflag

TheSupremeCourthasruledthatburningtheflagisanacceptableformofspeech.Whilethisbothersmanypeoplewholoveournationanditsflag,theSupremeCourtdeterminedthatiffreedomofspeechistohavemeaning,itmustextendeventoactswhichdonotshowrespecttoourcountryanditsheritage.

Todisplayathalf-mastduringatimeofnationalmourning,theflagshouldbe

raisedquicklytothetopoftheflagpoleandthenloweredslowlytothehalf-way

point.

WhentheAmericanflagisdisplayedonastageorinameetingroom,theflagshouldbedisplayedtotheleftoftheaudience,totherightofthepersonspeaking,facingtheaudience.

WhentheAmericanflagisflownonthesamepoleandhalyard(rope)withflags

ofstatesorcities,theAmericanflagshouldalwaysbeatthetop.

Whenflagsoftwoormorecountriesaredisplayed,theyshouldbeflownfromseparatestaffs(poles)andshouldbethesameheight.Alsotheflagsshouldbeaboutthesamesize.

NodisrespectshouldbeshowntotheAmericanflag.Thisincludes:1. Theflagshouldneverbeflownupsidedownexceptasasignalof

extremedangerofdistress.2. Theflagshouldnevertouchtheground,thefloor,orwater.3. Theflagshouldneverbeusedasclothing,bedding,drapery,orcovering

foraceiling.

XVIII(18)1919

Prohibitionofliquor.Thisamendmentmadeallalcoholicdrinksillegalandtheselling,making,importing,andexportingofliquorillegal.(ThisamendmentwasrepealedbyAmendment21.)

XIX(19)1920 Rightofwomentovote.Womenhavetherighttovote.

XX(20)1933

Beginningandendingdatesforelectedofficials.ThetermsofthepresidentandvicepresidentendonJanuary20.ThetermsofCongressendatnoononJanuary3.ThenewCongressmeetsonJanuary3atnoon.

XX1(21)1933

RepealofProhibition.Amendment18wasrepealed.Alcoholicdrinkswerenolongerillegal.

XX11(22)1951

Presidentlimitedtotwoterms.Noonecanbeelectedtobepresidentmorethantwice,andinnocaseservemorethan10yearsasPresident.

XX111(23)1961

VotinginWashington,D.C.PeoplelivinginWashington,D.C.canvoteforthepresidentandvicepresident.WashingtonD.C.canhaveelectoralcollegevotes.

XXIV(24)1964

Endtopolltaxes.Peoplecannotbechargedapolltaxoranyothertaxtovote.

XXV(25)1967

Presidentialsuccession.Ifthepresidentdies,thevicepresidentbecomespresident.Iftheofficeofvicepresidentbecomesempty,thepresidentnominatessomeonetobecomevicepresident.ThatpersonmustthenbeapprovedbyamajorityofbothhousesofCongress.

XXVI(26)1971

Votingatage18.Thevotingageforallelectionswasloweredfrom21to18.18yearoldsarethustheLASTgroup(sofar)togettherighttovote.

XXVII(27)1992

Congressionalpay.SalaryincreasesformembersofCongresscannotgointoeffectuntilafterthenextcongressionalelection.

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3.6-TheHouseofRepresentativesThereare435membersoftheHouse.TheConstitution’sfirstarticlestatesthateverystatemusthaveatleastonerepresentativeintheHouse.Stateshavedifferentamountsofrepresentativesdependingonhowmanypeopleliveinthestate.Thelargerastate'spopulation,themorerepresentativesithas.3.7-InformationAboutRepresentatives

Howmany

ü 435alwaysü Thenumberofrepresentativesdependsonhow

manypeopleliveineachstate.Stateswithalargertotalpopulationhavemoremembersthanstateswithsmallerpopulations.

ü TheConstitutionrequiresthateachstatehasatleastonerepresentative.

Requirements ü mustbeatleast25yearsoldü mustbeaU.S.citizenfor7years

Termofoffice ü 2years

Presidingofficerü SpeakeroftheHouse.HeisaregularCongressman,

chosenbyhispeerstoleadthem.

Specialduties

ü ThepowertoImpeachisonlygiventotheHouseofRepresentatives.Animpeachmentbringschargesagainstthepresidentorfederalofficial.Impeachmentdoesnotmeansomeoneisguilty,justthattheyhavebeenchargedwithwrongdoing.

ü Chooseapresidentifnocandidatereceivesamajorityofelectoralvote.

4-ARTICLEII.–TheExecutiveBranch4.1–IntroductiontotheExecutiveBranchTheexecutivebranchofthefederalgovernmentcarriesoutorexecutesthelawsmadebyCongress.ThechiefexecutiveisthePresident.Heisalsothecommander-in-chiefofthearmedforces.ThePresident’sresidenceis1600PennsylvaniaAve.,theWhiteHouse,butthePresidentisnotrequiredbytheConstitutiontolivethere.TheVicePresidenttakestheplaceofthePresidentwhennecessary,andbecomesthePresidentifthePresidentdiesinoffice.TheVicePresidentalsoservesasPresidentoftheSenate.TheVicePresidentcanonlyvotewhentheSenatevoteistied.Theexecutivebranchisthelargestbranchofgovernmentandemploysthemostpeople.ItincludestheCabinet,the14largeexecutivedepartmentsoftheCabinet,andmanyotheragenciesandorganizations,suchasthePostOffice,theArmy,Navy,andAirForce,theInternalRevenueService(IRS),theFBIandtheCIA.4.2-InformationAboutThePresident

Requirements

ü must be 35 years old ü must be born in the United States. This is the

only office with this requirement. ü must live in the U.S. for 14 years before

election. (Before the 14 years, the person could reside outside the US)

Term of office ü 4 years, can be elected only two times;

Amendment 22 adds that his term can be a maximum of 10 years.

How elected ü The Electoral College. In order to be elected a

candidate must have at least 270 electoral votes.

Duties & Powers

ü signs or vetoes bills passed by Congress (Congress can override with a 2/3 majority)

ü “commander-in-chief” of the military ü If the President does not sign a bill that

Congress has passed, it becomes a law in 10 days (not counting Sundays) unless there is an adjournment before the 10 days are up.

ü appoints Cabinet members, with the consent of the Senate

ü Only the President has the power to make treaties with other countries (must be approved by 2/3 majority of the Senate)

ü Appoints Supreme Court justices and federal judges (must be approved by Senate)

ü The Constitution says that the President should periodically report to the Congress on how the nation is doing. (This is now done as a yearly “State of the Union” message)

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Righttoafairtrial.Peopleaccusedofacrime...• mustbetoldwhatcrimestheyhavebeenchargedwith• havetherighttoaspeedyandpublictrial• havetherighttoalawyer• havetherighttoquestionwitnesses

VII(7)

Rightsincivilcases.Peoplehavetherighttoajurytrialincivilcasesinfederalcourts.Civilcasesareaboutnon-criminalproblems,forexampleadivorce,damagesinacarcrash,orsomebodysuingsomebodyelse.

VIII(8)Bail,FinesandpunishmentApersonfoundguiltycannotreceivecruelorunusualpunishment.Excessivebailandexcessivefinescannotbecharged

IX(9)Otherrightsnotmentioned.PeoplehavemanyotherrightsthatarenotlistedintheConstitution.Evenifnotlisted,peoplestillhavetheserights.

X(10)Powersreservedtothestates.Powersnotgiventothefederalgovernmentandnotkeptfromthestatesbelongtothestategovernments,thatis,thepeople.

7.3-AmendmentsXI-XXVII

XI(11)1795

Lawsuitsagainststates.Astatecannotbesuedbyacitizensfromadifferentstateoraforeigncountry.

XII(12)1804

Presidentialelections.Thisamendmentmaderulesfortheelectoralcollegeandexplainedhowthepresidentandvicepresidentweretobeelected.

XIII(13)1865

Endofslavery.ThisamendmentendedslaveryintheUnitedStates.SlaverywasnolongerlegalintheU.S.oranylandthatbelongedtotheU.S.

XIV(14)1868

Dueprocessandrightsofcitizens.AllpersonsbornintheU.S.arecitizens.ThisamendmentgavecitizenshiptoAfricanAmericansandnativeAmericans.Therightsofcitizenscannotbetakenawaybystates.Statesmustgiveallcitizensequalprotectionunderthelawanddueprocess.

XV(15)1870

Rightofblackstovote.People(men)havetherighttovotenomatterwhatraceorcolor.Thisamendmentgaveformerslavestherighttovote.Womendidnotyethavetherighttovote.

XVI(16)1913Incometax.The16thAmendmentwasnecessarytogiveCongresstherighttotaxpeople’sincome.

XVII(17)1913

Electionofsenators.Thisamendmentchangedthewaysenatorswereelected.Itsaidthatpeopleofthestatewouldvotedirectlyforsenators.

7–TheAMENDMENTS.AnythinginanAmendmentoverridesorreplacesanyotherpartoftheConstitution7.1–TheBillofRightsIn1787,manypeoplewereunhappywiththeConstitution.Theyfeltitdidnotguaranteeindividualfreedomsandrights.SowhenthefirstCongressmetin1789(theConstitutionwasratifiedin1788)theypassedthefirsttenamendments,whichbecameknownas“TheBillofRights.”Sothefirst10amendmentsofourConstitutionarestillcalled“TheBillofRights.”TheBillofRightsmakesclearwhatrightsthegovernmentmustprotect.7.2-AmendmentsI-X,“THEBILLOFRIGHTS”

AmendmentsI-XTheBillofRights,ratifiedin1791

I(1)

TheFirstAmendmentguaranteesorprotectsfivefreedoms(sometimescalledthe“fivefreedoms”:

• freedomofreligion--peoplecanpracticeanyreligiontheywantandCongresscannotestablishareligionforthecountry

• freedomofspeech• freedomofthepress• therighttoassemblepeacefully• therighttopetitionthegovernment

II(2)Therighttobeararms.Thefederalgovernmentcannottakeawaytherightofpeopletohaveguns.

III(3) Housingofsoldiers.Peoplecannotbeforcedtofeedandsheltersoldiersintheirhomes

IV(4)

Searchandseizure.Peoplemustbesafefrompolicesearchesandarrestsintheirhomes.Thisamendmentsaysthat“unreasonable”searchesareprohibited.Tosearchahome,toarrestsomeone,ortoremoveevidence,acourtorderorsearchwarrantmustbeissuedbyajudge.Asearchwarrantmuststatewhoorwhatistobeseizedandwherethesearchistotakeplace.Ajudgecanonlyissueawarranttothepolicewithgoodreasonor“probablecause.”Evidencethatisseized(taken)inviolationofthisamendmentcannotbeusedincourt.

V(5)

Rightsincriminalcasesü Peoplecannotbetriedforseriouscrimesunlessa

grandjuryhasdeterminedthatthereisenoughevidencetochargethem.Thegrandjurydoesnotdecideguiltorinnocence,butsimplyifthereisenoughevidencetocharge(indict)thepersonwithacrime.

ü Peoplecannotbeforcedtotestifyagainstthemselves.

ü Oncedeclarednotguilty,apersoncannotbetriedagainforthesamecrime(doublejeopardy).

ü Accusedpeoplehavetherighttodueprocess;theymustreceivefairtreatmentaccordingtothelaw.

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4.3-ElectingthePresidentPeopleineachstatedonotvotedirectlyforthepresident.ThePresidentisofficiallyelectedbyvoterscalledElectors.EachstatehasacertainnumberofElectors,equaltothenumberofmembersofCongressfromthatstate.ThusyouaddupthenumberofSenatorsplusthenumberofRepresentativesfromthatstatetodeterminethenumberofElectorsfromthatstate.InNovemberofanelectionyear,thepeoplevote.Thecandidatewhoreceivesthemostpopularvotesgetsallthestateselectoralvotes.ThustheElectoralCollegeisbasedonthe“winner-take-all”principle.ItispossibleforaPresidentialcandidatetogetmorevotesfromthepeople(calledthe“popularvote”)butstilllosetheelectionbecauseofgettingfewervotesfromtheElectors.Thenthecandidatewhoreceivesthemostelectoralvoteswinsthepresidency.Acandidatemustgetatleast270electoralvotestowinthePresidency.ButtheConstitutionsaysacandidatehastogetamajorityoftheelectoralvotestobecomepresident.Majoritymeans"morethanhalf,”not“most.”Sowhathappensifthereare3candidatesrunningforthePresidencyandtheysplittheelectoralvotesthreeways,withnocandidategettingmorethanhalftherequiredvotes(270)?AccordingtotheConstitution,ifnocandidatereceivesamajorityofelectoralvotes(270),thentheHouseofRepresentativesselectsthepresidentfromthetop3candidates.4.4-TheCabinetTheCabinetisagroupofadvisers.Thereare14largeexecutivedepartments,forexampletheDefenseDepartment,theAgricultureDepartment,andtheDepartmentofTransportation.ThesedepartmentsareresponsibleforcarryingoutlawspassedbyCongress.Eachdepartmenthasmanyjobs.TheAgricultureDepartmentinspectsthefoodsweeat,controlsschoollunchprogramsandfoodstamps,andhelpfarmers.

TheheadofeachdepartmentiscalledtheSecretary,forexampletheSecretaryofState.TheCabinetisthisgroupofdepartmentheads.ThePresidentappointsthesecretaryofeachdepartment,andeachappointmentmustbeapprovedbytheSenate.ThePresidentcanmeetwiththeCabinetalittleoralot;it'suptothePresident

5-ARTICLEIII.–TheJudicialBranch5.1-IntroductiontotheJudicialBranchTheConstitutionsetuponlyonecourt,theSupremeCourt,butgaveCongressthepowertosetupotherfederalcourts.Congresshascreatedtwootherkindsoffederalcourts:courtsofappealsanddistrictcourts.TheConstitutionalsogavestatesthepowertocreatetheirowncourtsystems.Federaljudges,includingSupremeCourtjustices,areappointedbythePresident.TheSenatemustapproveeachappointment.Onceappointedandapproved,federaljudgesneverhavetorunforelectionorbereappointed.Theirappointmentsarefortheirlifetime,andtheyholdtheirjudgeshipsaslongastheywant,unlesstheyareimpeached.5.2-TheFederalCourts

SupremeCourtonlyonecourt

9judges,calledjustices

ü ThehighestcourtintheUnitedStates.Justicesserveforlife,unlessdismissedforbadbehavior.

ü DecidesiflawspassedbyCongressareinconflictwiththeConstitution.Ifalawisdeclaredunconstitutional,thelawisnotvalidandcannotbeused.

ü Alsohearsappealsfromlowercourts.Canoverturndecisionmadebylowercourts.

ü TheChiefJusticeoverseesimpeachmenttrialsintheSenate.

CourtsofAppeals12courts

ü Hearcasesonappeal(nonewtrials,nojuries).Decideifdecisionmadebydistrictcourtsfolloweddueprocess.Canoverturnlowercourts'decisions.

ü DecisionsarefinalunlessthecaseisappealedtotheSupremeCourt.

ü Justicesserveforlife.

DistrictCourts91trialcourts

ü Justicesserveforlife.ü Trialcourts,evidencepresented,jurieshear

cases.Hearscasesaboutcrimesanddisputesif...§ differentstatesareinvolved§ peoplefromdifferentstatesareinvolved§ federallawshavebeenbroken§ federalgovernmentisinvolvedindispute

5.3-TheSupremeCourt&JudicialReviewTheSupremeCourthasappellatejurisdictionoverallstatesupremecourts,andfederalappellatecourts.ThismeanthattheSupremeCourtcanhearcasesthatareappealedinthesecourts.TheSupremeCourtalsohasthepowerofjudicialreview,theauthoritytodeclarelawsmadebyCongressorstatesunconstitutional.ThispowerisnotstateddirectlyintheConstitution.Therightofjudicialreviewwasfirstestablishedin1803byChiefJusticeJohnMarshallinthecaseMarburyversusMadison.5.4-Trials&TreasonArticleIIIsaysthatapersonhastherighttoajurytrialinallcriminalcases,exceptforimpeachmenttrials.ArticleIIIdefinestreasonasanactofwaragainsttheUnitedStatesortheactofhelpinganenemyoftheU.S.Treasonisthusafederalcrime,notastatecrime.

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Article VI Article 6 includes an important part of the Constitution called the supremacy clause. The Constitution, and Acts passed by Congress are the highest law of the land. The Constitution, the laws of Congress, and all treaties must be followed by all states. State laws must agree with the Constitution. State judges must know that the Constitution is supreme over state laws.

All members of Congress, the President and all executive branch officials, all Supreme Court justices and federal judges, all members of state legislatures, all governors and state officials, all state judges take an oath of office and swear to obey the United States Constitution.

Article VII Article 7 says that the Constitution will become effective when 9 (out of 13) states approve or ratify it.

The Constitution was signed by its authors on September 17, 1787. Then each of the 13 states held meetings to decide whether to accept or reject it. Three states quickly ratified the Constitution in 1781. During the next year, 1788, six more states approved it, and the Constitution became law.

ArticleIV Article4hasfoursectionsthatdescribehowstateswillgetalongwiththefederalgovernmentandotherstates.

• Everystatemustrespectthelaws,records,andcourtdecisionsofotherstates.Forexample,ifIllinoisgivesapersonadriver'slicense,thatpersoncanlegallydriveinMissouri,Kansas,andallotherstates.

• Citizensfromonestatevisitinganotherstateareentitledtothesamerightsaspeoplewholiveinthatstate.

• Ifapersoncommitsaseriouscrimeinonestateandthenescapestoanotherstate,thatpersonmustbefoundandreturnedtothestatewherethecrimewascommitted.(Thisiscalledextradition.)

• CongressmakestherulesforsellingandcontrollingalllandorotherpropertythatbelongstotheUnitedStates.

• CongresshasthepowertoadmitnewstatestotheU.S.• Everystatemusthavearepresentativeformof

government.• Thefederalgovernmentwillprotectanddefendall

statesfromothercountries.Also,iffightingorviolencebreaksoutinsideastate,thefederalgovernmentwillhelp.

ArticleV Article5tellshowtomakechangestotheConstitution.

• TheConstitutioncanbechangedbyaddinganamendment.Therearetwosteps.Firstthechangemustbeproposed.Toproposeanamendment,twothirdsofeitherallthestatelegislaturesortwothirdsofbothhousesofCongressmustvotetoproposeit.Ifit'ssuccessfullyproposed,thenitmustberatified.

• Thesecondstep,ratification,isthedecisionofthestates.Threefourths(3/4)ofallstatelegislaturesorthreefourths(3/4)ofstateconventionsheldjustforthepurposeofvotingontheamendmentmustvotetoapprovetheamendment.

It'spossiblebutdifficulttochangetheConstitution.Only27amendmentshavebeenaddedtotheConstitutioninover200years.

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5.5–The3BranchesoftheU.S.Government:SeparationofpowersunderArticlesI,II,andIII

LEGISLATIVEmakeslaws

EXECUTIVEcarriesoutlaws

JUDICIALexplainslaws

CONGRESSmustmeetatleastone

timeeachyearSenate--100senators,--2senatorsfromeachstate--term:6yearsQualifications--atleast30yearsold,citizenfor9yearsPresidingofficer--theVicepresident,or--anelectedPresidentprotempore

HouseofRepresentatives--435representatives--435representativesaredividedamongthe50states.Stateswithlargerpopulationgetmorerepresentatives.--term:2yearsQualifications--atleast25yearsold--citizenfor7yearsPresidingofficerSpeakeroftheHouse

PresidentandVicepresident

--electedbytheElectoralCollegewhoareelectedbythepeopleattheNovembergeneralelection--apersoncanbeelectedpresidentonlytwotimes--term:4yearsQualifications--atleast35yearsold--anative-borncitizen–ThePresidentistheonlyfederalofficialwhomustbeaUScitizenbybirth.--livedntheU.S.for14yearsbeforetheelection

Cabinet

--14cabinetdepartments--14cabinetofficers--appointedbythePresidentbutmustbeapprovedbytheSenate--term:determinedbyPresident.ServeaslongasthePresidentwantsthem--meetwheneverthePresidentwants

SupremeCourtü 9justicesü serveforlife

unlessimpeached

ü mustbe“compensated”(paid)

ü appointedbythePresidentbutmustbeapprovedbytheSenate

CircuitCourtofAppeals12courtsthroughoutthe

U.S.--serveforlifeunlessimpeached--appointedbythePresidentbutmustbeapprovedbytheSenate

DistrictCourts

91trialcourtsthroughouttheU.S.

--serveforlifeunlessimpeached--appointedbythePresidentbutmustbeapprovedbytheSenate