Illinois Constitution Unit
Your Illinois Constitution Packet
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Make sure your name is on it.
Bring it every day we have class.
If you are absent a day, you must get
notes that you missed from a classmate.
Pay attention. Your teacher will be
discussing information on your quizzes
and eventually the test itself.
Taking notes
• Be sure to write clearly so you can read
what you wrote.
• Use a highlighter if you want.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand
something.
Quizzes and Worksheets
• You will be responsible to complete all
quizzes and worksheets. Each will be
graded and count toward your trimester
grade.
• There are 3 quizzes and at least 5
worksheets in this unit.
• You are responsible to make these up if
you are absent.
The Illinois Constitution Test
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80 questions
All multiple choice
One class period
Passing grade is a
C- (70%).
• Retakes will be
required if you do not
pass the first time.
Branches of government you will
need to know
State of
Illinois
Legislative Executive
Judicial
Illinois
• The word Illinois
comes from a Native
American phrase. It
means “tribe of
superior men.”
• The State Motto is
“State Sovereignty,
National Union.”
• The State Slogan is
“Land of Lincoln.”
• The State Nickname
is “Prairie State.”
Illinois Farming
• Illinois is largely an agricultural
state (farming).
• The chief crops that Illinois
produces include corn,
soybeans, wheat, oats and hay.
State symbols
http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/symbols/index.html
Tree
Flower
Prairie grass
Snack food
Animal
Bird
Insect
Fish
Reptile
White Oak
Violet
Big Blue Stem
Popcorn
White Tail Deer
Cardinal
Monarch Butterfly
Blue Gill
Eastern Painted Turtle
State symbols
Amphibian
East. Tiger Salamander
Mineral
Fluorite
Soil
Drummer Silty Clay
Dance
Square Dance
State Flag
State Seal
Illinois’ Five Largest Cities
(2010 U.S. Census)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chicago
Aurora
Rockford
Joilet
Naperville
Crystal Lake
2,695,598
197,899
152,871
147,433
141,853
40,743 (2010 U.S. Census)
States that Border Illinois
Five states border
Illinois. They are
Wisconsin, Iowa,
Missouri, Kentucky,
and Indiana.
Michigan does not
border Illinois.
History of Illinois
A. 1673 – French rule Illinois territory
1. Marquette & Joliet
2. Trading and exploring for the French
Government
B. French established forts at:
1. Fort St. Louis at Starved Rock
2. Fort de Crevecoeur
3. Pimitouri (Peoria) & Kaskaskia
History of Illinois
C. French and Indian War
1. The French lose to the British in
1763.
2. The British now possess most of
America.
D. Revolutionary War
1. 1778
2. George Rogers Clark defeats British
in Illinois area
E. After the war, Virginia claimed the Illinois area
as a county in 1783.
History of Illinois
F. 1787 – 1807
1. Illinois area became attached to a variety of
territories.
2. Indiana & Wisconsin
G. 1818
1. Illinois became a state on
December 3rd
2. Illinois is the 21st state in the Union.
3. Kaskaskia was named the first
capital.
4. Shadrach Bond was named the first
governor.
History of Illinois
H. Indian uprisings
1. Don’t want to leave land
2. Chief Black Hawk
3. Lose to Illinois militia
I. State Capitals
1. 1820 – moved from Kaskaskia to
Vandalia
2. 1839 – moved from Vandalia to Springfield
a. Abraham Lincoln and his colleagues
help get the capital moved (Long Nine)
History of Illinois
J. 1818 Constitution – 1st
1. Did not interfere with slavery already in
state
2. Did not allow anymore slaves to enter
K. 1824 – Proposed law
1. Allow slavery? Some people want it
2. Governor Edward Coles will not let it
happen
3. Illinois remains a FREE STATE
Coles, Slavery, Lincoln, Douglas
History of Illinois
L. More Slavery Issues
1. Lincoln challenges Stephan A. Douglas for
Senate seat
2. “Little Giant” wants people to choose, not the
state
3. Both debate the topic, gathers nationwide
attention
4. Douglas wins but Lincoln impresses many people
5. Lincoln nominated for and wins Presidency
M. 1848 Constitution
1. More power to the people
2. Executive offices will now be elected rather than
appointed.
History of Illinois
N. 1870 Constitution
1. Constitution changed again
2. Unchanged for 100 years and is outdated
O. 1970 Constitution
1. Two major changes
a. Have a greater protection on
individual rights
b. Improve the tax system
STOP HERE. STUDY FOR QUIZ #1.
History of Illinois (review)
1. Illinois became a state in 1818 with a
population of 35,000.
2. Kaskaskia was the first capital, then
Vandalia and then Springfield.
3. Illinois has had four constitutions – 1818,
1848, 1870 and 1970.
4. The Illinois Constitution is just like the
U.S. Constitution but much longer.
5. A constitution is a plan telling how a
government will be run.
Preamble
A preamble tells why the constitution is
being written – for the welfare of the
people and to maintain a representative
(democratic) government.
There are 14 articles in the Illinois
Constitution.
Article I
The Bill of Rights
1. Inherent and inalienable rights – people
have the right to life, happiness, and to
be free. It is up to the government to
protect these rights.
2. Due Process of law and equal protection
under the law – Due process is the
means by which fair treatment is
attained. (Hearing/respond)
3. Religious Freedom
Article I
4. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press
5. Right to assemble (meetings for peaceful
purposes) and petition (show
opinions/feelings)
6. Freedom from unlawful search, seizures, or
invasions of privacy
a. Private homes
b. Unless there is proof of criminal activity
7. Right of Grand Jury Indictment (paper telling
you the crime you committed if there is enough
evidence)
Article I
Rights of persons accused of crimes – meet with
witnesses, call witnesses, speedy public jury trial, and
impartial jury.
9. Right of bail (getting freedom before trial) and Writ of
Habeas Corpus (order to bring a person before the
court to see if they have been legally imprisoned).
10. Self-incrimination and double jeopardy (a person
cannot be tried for the same crime twice).
11. Penalty limitations (Should fit the crime).
12. Right to Remedy and Justice for wrongs done to a
person, property, or reputation.
8.
Article I
13. Right to trial by jury (impartial peers).
14. No imprisonment for debt (owing money).
15. Just compensation for property taken for public use –
eminent domain.
16. No ex post facto laws (a law punishing you for
something you did before it was illegal).
17. No discrimination in employment and the sale or rental
of property.
18. No sex discrimination in government.
19. No discrimination against handicapped.
20. Condemns insulting statements about persons.
Article I
21. No quartering of soldiers in peace time.
22. Right to bear arms subject to police power.
23. Residents have to obey laws if they are to be effective.
24. Residents have rights not mentioned in Article 1 (right
to vote, free schooling through grade 12, and healthful
environment)
STOP HERE. STUDY FOR QUIZ #2.
Article II - Powers of state
1. Powers are divided between the legislative,
executive and judicial branches of the
government. (3 branches)
2. Separation of powers
a. No branch is allowed to become more
powerful than another
b. System of checks and balances to make
sure
Article III – Suffrage and Elections
1. Suffrage means the right to vote
2. You must be 18 years of age to vote in Illinois
3. You must be a resident of Illinois for at least 30
days
4. You cannot vote while you are in jail or if you
were convicted of a felony (major crime)
5. Your right to vote is returned to you if you
complete your sentence
6. Voting is a privilege, not a right! You can lose it.
Article IV – Legislative Branch
(Make the Laws)
1. The General Assembly is when the
Senate and the House of
Representatives meets together
2. Members must be 21, a resident of their
district for 2 years and a citizen.
3. There are 59 districts with 1 senator and
2 representatives each
a. 3 for each district
b. Redistrict after each U.S. census
Article IV
4.
5.
6.
7.
Senators have a 4 year term; representatives have a 2
year term
The chairman (leader) of the Senate is called the
President of the Senate
The leader of the House of Rep. is called the Speaker
of the House
In case of Impeachment ( to impeach means to accuse
of wrongdoing), the House of Rep. starts the
proceedings (investigation) and the Senate will hold
the trial
Article IV
8. A bill becomes a law by passing both the
House and Senate and then being signed by
the governor
9. It can also be held unsigned for 60 days and
then it will become a law
10. A governor may veto (vote “no”) all of a bill or
just parts of it
11. To pass a bill over a veto requires a 3/5 vote
from the both the House and the Senate
How a Bill becomes a Law
1. Legislator introduces a bill (idea) to their part of
the General Assembly
2. The bill is given a number and a title and then
read for the first time (the whole thing isn’t
read, just the number and title part. Some bills
could be really long)
3. The bill is assigned to a committee to examine
if this idea could work
a. If it does not pass, it is dead
b. If it does, it goes before the entire house
Bill becoming a Law
4. The bill is read a second time and other
legislators may add amendments to it
5. The bill is read a third time, debated over
and voted on by the entire house
6. If it passes, it must be sent to the other
house and all of the previous steps must
be followed again
Bill becoming a Law
7.
8.
If the bill passes the second house, it is sent to the
governor
The governor can then:
a. Sign it into law
b. Veto by sending it back to its house of origin with
objections
c. Leave it alone for 60 days and then it will
become a law automatically
(A governor can veto the bill anytime during those 60
days)
Article V – Executive Branch
Enforces the Law
1. The Governor:
a. Must account for all funds
b. Can appoint and remove officers
c. Can grant reprieves (temporary suspension
or delay in sentence)
d. Can grant pardons (set free from
punishment)
e. Commands the National Guard (our militia)
f. Can assemble the Senate to elect a President
(if needed)
Article V
2. The Governor must be 25 years old, resident
for 3 years, serve 4 year term
3. Other Executive Officers: (also must be 25,
serve 4 year term)
a. Lieutenant Governor – second in command
b. Attorney General – Legal officer, states lawyer
c. Secretary of state – Maintains records
d. Comptroller – Deposits and holds money
e. Treasurer – Approves payments, writes checks
Executive Officers
Governor
Patrick Quinn
Comptroller
Judy Barr Topinka
Lt. Governor
Sheila Simon
Treasurer
Dan Rutherford
Secretary of State
Jesse White
Attorney General
Lisa Madigan
Article VI – Judicial Branch
Interprets Laws and Justice
1. 3 Illinois Court Systems:
a. Circuit Court – all cases start here
b. Appellate Court – you can appeal or ask for your
case to be looked at again if convicted the first time
c. Supreme Court – if case gets this far, their ruling is
considered final
2. Supreme Court has 7 judges (3 from Cook
county area)
a. Chief Justice runs the group
b. All serve 10 year terms
c. Can run for re-election without opposition
Article VII – Local Government
1. The basic subdivision of Illinois is called the
county
a. There are 102 counties in Illinois
2. The county is responsible for many areas of
government such as:
a. Police
b. Roads
c. Taxes
d. Health Care
e. Licensing
Courts
Land use
Elections
Parks
etc…
Article VII
3. Counties are also divided into townships which
take care of :
a. Rural roads
b. Assistance to the needy
c. Assessment (evaluation) of property
4. The 1970 Constitution gave counties and cities
more power to deal with local problems
5. This is called Home Rule
6. This is all designed so that every problem does
not fall into one group’s responsibility
Article VIII - Finance
Illinois public funds (money), property or credit
may only be used for public purposes
Article IX - Revenue
1. The state taxes in 3 ways:
a. Property tax – house, land
b. Sales tax – clothes, food, etc…
c. Income tax – the amount of money that you
make at your job
(“The more you make, the more they
take”)
Article X - Education
1. The 1970 Constitution set up a State
Board of Education
a. Free education from Kindergarten through
12th grade
b. The state does not pay for college
Article XI – Healthful Environment
1. It is the policy of the State of Illinois and
the duty of each person to maintain a
healthful environment. Pick up after
yourself.
Article XII – State Militia
1. The Governor is the Commander–in–
Chief of the National Guard
a. The National Guard is a branch of the U.S.
Army
b. Protects our state and helps during crisis
situations
Article XIII – General Provisions
1. People convicted of major crimes are
ineligible to hold public office
a. Must take oath swearing you will follow laws
of Illinois
b. Break the oath and
you face possible
impeachment.
Article XIV – Changing the State
Constitution
1. There are 3 provisions:
a. 3/5 of the General Assembly must call for a
convention. The people of Illinois must
approve this call and also the proposals
being made for it
b. 3/5 of the General Assembly is needed to
propose amendments to the people of
Illinois
c. 3/5 of the General Assembly is needed or a
majority is needed to vote on any proposals
for passage
Your Illinois Senator &
Representative
1.
These people have local offices in McHenry County and
represent us in the General Assembly:
a. 32nd District State Senator:
Pamela Althoff
b. 64th District State Representative:
Michael W. Tryon
Your U.S. Representatives
1.
These people have offices in Illinois but represent us in
Washington D.C.:
a. 16th District U.S. Representative:
Don Manzullo
b. Illinois State Senators:
Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk.
STOP HERE. STUDY FOR QUIZ #3.