Constitution Review

Representatives (House members) length of term

2 yrs

Representatives (House members) # of each per state

Population-based, minimum of 1

Senators length of term

6 yrs

Senators # of each per state

2

Who elects members of the House?

The people

The method for choosing Senators before 1913

State legislatures

The method for choosing Senators after 1913

The people

Qualifications necessary for serving in the House

25 yrs old, eligible to vote (citizen)

Qualifications necessary for serving in the Senate

30 yrs

What is a special privilege of members of Congress when Congress is in session?

Can’t be prevented from going to Congress (arrested) or arrested for their speech

All tax/revenue bills must originate in which house of Congress?

The House because it’s the people’s house

What are the two ways that a president can veto a piece of legislation?

Straight-up veto, pocket veto (take no action if congress is on recess within 10 days)

What is the requirement to override a presidential veto?

2/3 both houses of Congress

What is the purpose of the separation of powers of the federal government among three branches?

So one doesn’t have too much power

Approve treaties

legislative checks executive

Declare war

legislative checks executive

Propose constitutional amendments

legislative checks judicial

Raise and regulate armies and the militia

legislative checks executive

Regulate trade/commerce

legislative checks executive

Set up federal courts under the Supreme Court

legislative checks judicial

Appoint judges

executive checks judicial

Grant pardons

executive checks judicial

Make treaties with other countries

executive checks legislative

Veto laws

executive checks legislative

Declare executive orders unconstitutional

judicial checks executive

Declare laws unconstitutional

judicial checks legislative

What is the “elastic clause” and why is it important in helping the government function?

Allows congress to do anything necessary and proper (make any law) to carry out powers

Double jeopardy

Can’t be tried twice for the same crime with the same evidence

(Writ of) Hapeus Corpus

Have the right to know charge, evidence, who is charging, and witnesses (except in state of emergency/rebellion/invasion)

Bill of Attainder

No order to put someone in jail without due process

Ex post facto

Can’t be tried for something that was legal when you did it and became illegal afterward

What are the qualifications for President?

35 years old, natural-born, 14 yrs residence

Who has final say in whether an act of Congress (a law) is unconstitutional

Supreme Court

Original jurisdiction

Authority for disputes between states or high-ranking officials

Appellate jurisdiction

Authority to review decisions of lower courts

How long is the term of office for a federal judge (including Supreme Court justices)?

Lifetime

Full faith and credit given to

Public acts, records, judicial proceedings

What is the “privileges and immunities” clause?

Things on national level (constitutuion) apply no matter what state you are in

What does the Constitution guarantee to the states?

Republican form of government, protection against invasion and domestic violence

To become effective, an amendment to the constitution must be ratified by…

¾ of state legislatures

How can an amendment to the Constitution be repealed?

By another amendment

What is the oath requires of all public officials under the Constitution?

Oath to support the Constitution

What kind of test (oath) is directly forbidden by the Constitution as a requirement for public office?

Religious test

State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly from your district

Bob Morgan or Tracy Katz Muhl

State Senator in the Illinois General Assembly from this district

Julie Morrison

Representative from the 10th Congressional District of Illinois to the US House of Representatives

Brad Schneider

US Senators from Illinois

1. Tammy Duckworth

2. Richard Durbin

Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Mike Johnson

US Secretary of State

Marco Rubio

Vice-President of the US

JD Vance

President of the US

Donald Trump

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

John Roberts

What does the Illinois Constitution say about public education?

Free public school thru high school guaranteed, state funds majority

What veto power does the Governor have that the President does not?

Can veto select parts of a bill (line-item veto)

Are the preambles of the IL and US Constitutions mostly similar or different?

Mostly the same in purpose

Where is the Bill of RIghts in the Illinois Constitution?

Article I

Does the Illinois Constitution provide for separate branches of government?

Yes, the three branches

What are the qualifications to vote in Illinois?

• Citizen of the US

• At least 18 by time of general election

• 30 days residence in district

• Registered voter

• Not jailed for felony

Must all six elected officials of the Illinois executive branch be from the same political party?

No, just Governor and Lt. Governor

What is the name of the legislative branch of the Illinois government?

Illinois General Assembly

Who is considered to be eligible for the Illinois State Militia?

All able-bodied people (women & men) at any age

How are judges selected in Illinois?

Elected

What is the 2nd Amendment’s stated reason for the protection of the right to bear arms?

Well-regulated militia necessary for regulation of a free state

How are the 4th Amendment’s protections against “unreasonable searches and seizures” guaranteed?

Must have probable cause, a warrant, and describe place to be searched

What right is implied in Am#4?

privacy

What does the “establishment clause” of the First Amendment do?

Government can’t establish a religion, no national religion

Define “peacable assembly”

Can have assembly as long as it’s peaceful (nonviolent)

Self-incrimination

If you are the only witness or your crime, the judge cannot use you as evidence so you don’t have to testify against yourself

Eminent domain

Government can seize property if they have public purpose and compensate you

Grand jury

They see if there’s enough evidence for a case to start

What does the 8th Amendment list as protections for accused persons?

No excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishment

What does the 9th Amendment say?

The rights in the constitution don’t mean that there aren’t other rights

10th Amendment - All powers not stated as powers of the Federal Government are reserved for…

The people/states

What are some examples of reserved powers?

Education, marriage, abortion, drinking age, voting processes