Pat Quinn...

The former Lieutenant Governor and current Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn, has been in Illinois politics for many years. What can you tell me about Pat Quinn? What political offices has held in the past? What other ellected offices has he run for but lost? What are his politics (Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative, etc.)? What are his positions on important issues facing Illinois? Answer on your own blog.

Executive branch of Illinois Government...

Yesterday I asked you for homework to identify who currently held the following positions in the Executive Branch of the Illinois State government and what the duties associated with each position are. The positions once again are...

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Sectary of State
Attorney General
Comptroller
Treasurer

Two of the individuals current holding two of the above positions are now running for election for other elected offices - the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris and the Governor. Who are the two individuals and which positions are they running for? Answer on your own blog.

Videos to watch to help review for the Constitution exam...

Here are the links...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vdpo_government-31-constitution-video_school

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2189110971524300187&ei=i3zfSuaQLovGqwKEisDOBQ&hl=en#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5I2KFENjS8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JDl5CLDvAg

Review for the U.S. Constitution Exam...

Terms You Should Know

Republicanism
Popular Sovereignty
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Proportional Representation
Great Compromise
Reserved Powers
Delegated Powers
Concurrent Powers
Articles of Confederation
Electoral College
Veto
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judiciary
Bicameral
Unicameral
Bill of Rights

Parts of the Constitution you should be most familiar with:
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
1st Amendment
2nd Amendment
4th Amendment
6th Amendment



Make sure to study fully pp. 179 – 187 in your text, “the Constitution Handbook”.

You can use the online review site as well to help you prepare…

http://www.swic.edu/adultbasiced/constitution/

Link for constitution review website...

Here is the link...

http://www.swic.edu/adultbasiced/constitution/

Contemporary constitutional debates...

As we begin our study of the U.S. Constitution in preparation for the constitution exam, it is important to keep in mind, one of the benefits of our political system is that elements of it can be modified over time as times and conditions change. Discussions about the constitutionality of laws passed by the federal or state governments are constantly up for review and debate. Below are a few contemporary examples…

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-czars7-2009oct07,0,3535667.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-guns6-2009oct06,0,6190425.story

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/us/july-dec09/scotus_10-07.html

Respond to these examples in your own blog. What issues are being debated in regards to these cases? What do you think is or is not constitutional in regards to the issues raised in these cases?