SYLLABUS
LEGISLATION AND POLITICAL THOUGHT
Spring, 2015
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LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL
Monday 6 – 8 pm
LOCATION: Room 202
Kelly Burke – State Representative, 36th District
Phone: (708) 769-8476
E-mail: kburke2@luc.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Required text/material:
“Engines of Democracy: Politics & Policymaking in State Legislatures”
Handouts, as distributed by instructor
Statutes and case law, available online
Class Description:
This class will provide an in-depth exploration of legislative process and procedure on the
state level, the legislative institution and the impact of electoral politics on lawmaking.
Through the use of case studies and guest speakers who are part of the process, students
will learn the many components of lawmaking and how all come together in today’s
political culture.
Educational Objectives:
This course is designed to give the student a deeper understanding of the process of
legislative drafting and negotiation and the persuasive skills required to move an idea from
a bill to a law. The course will introduce students to the practical workings of and
differences between the legislative branch at several levels of government. Students will
acquire a working knowledge of current issues facing the legislative bodies throughout the
class. Students will also learn of career opportunities for attorneys in the legislative
branch, executive branch, and in legislative support services. Students will demonstrate
their ability to apply their knowledge, persuasive writing skills, and oratory skills in mock
committee hearings and legislative debate.
Student Assessment:
Students will be evaluated based on class participation, attendance, several projects and
one final paper. Students should be prepared to discuss the assigned material, statutes and
case law. Attendance is required at all classes. Failure to attend class will result in a
reduction in the attendance portion of the assessment in proportion to the number of
classes missed. Students are asked to notify instructor in advance at kburke2@luc.edu.
There is no final exam for this class. Assessment will be weighted as follows;
Attendance: 20%
Participation: 25%
Blog assignment: 5%
Pro/con presentation (with a partner) 10%
Committee testimony assignment: 10%
Persuasive memo: 15%
Argument in support of bill: 15%
Note: Syllabus is subject to change and students will be notified in advance of any
modification in schedules and/or assignments.
General Course Outline
Class #1/January 22 INTRODUCTION
Assignment: Complete biography sheet
Class #2/January 25: THE REALITIES OF LAWMAKING, LEGISLATURES AND PUBLIC
PERCEPTION
Assignment:
Rosenthal-Chapters 1, 10
Class #3/February 1: PATH TO LEADERSHIP (CASE STUDY: COMPASSIONATE USE OF
MEDICAL CANNABIS PILOT PROGRAM ACT)
Assignment:
• Rosenthal-Chapter 11
• SB 1381 (introduced) – 96th General Assembly
• HB 30 (introduced) – 97th General Assembly
• HB 1/PA 98-0122 - 98th General Assembly
Class #4/February 8: WHEN COURTS DICTATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION (CASE STUDY:
ILLINOIS CONCEALED CARRY LAW)
Assignment:
• Moore v. Madigan, Nos. 12-1788, 12-1269 (December 12, 2012)
• HB 997 (introduced)
• HB 831 (HA #1)
Class #5/February 15: BEYOND THE STATEHOUSE: TRUSTEE VS. DELEGATE
Assignment:
 Rosenthal-Chapter 3
 SB 10 (98th General Assembly)
 Transcripts of debate statements of various legislators regarding SB10 (to be
distributed)
Class #6/February 22: THE DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICS OF RIDESHARING AND
FANTASY SPORTS REGULATION
Assignment:
 HB4200 (99th General Assembly)
 SB2774 (98th General Assembly)
Class #7/February 29: THE IMPACT OF ELECTORAL POLITICS ON LAWMAKING
Assignment:
Rosenthal-Chapter 4
Class #8/March 14: THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE SEPARATION OF
POWERS
Assignment:
 Rosenthal – Chapters 7 and 8
 Executive Order 15-13 (to be distributed)
Class #9/March 21: THE ROLE OF LOBBYISTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Assignment:
Rosenthal-Chapter 5
Class #10/March 28: LEGISLATORS: POLICYMAKERS, PUBLIC SERVANTS,
POLITICIANS
Assignment:
Rosenthal-Chapter 2, 12
Class #11/April 4: LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING
Assignment:
 Rosenthal – Chapter 4
 Clark v. Illinois State Board of Elections (Redistricting lawsuit) to be
distributed
Class # 12/ April 11: STUDENT ADVOCACY EXERCISE
Assignment: Students will prepare a persuasive memo in support or opposition of
SB 3075 (98th General Assembly)
 SB3075, Amendments 1 and 2
 Transcript from House debate (to be distributed)
Class #13/April 18 MOCK COMMITTEE HEARING
Assignment;
SB 3075 and related articles – Students will be assigned roles as Republican or
Democratic members, committee chair, bill sponsor, and proponents and opponents
of SB3075.
Class #14/April 25: CONCLUSION AND REVIEW
Assignment:
Students will work in teams and present a floor debate on the passage of an
assigned bill. Bill will be assigned at class April 18.