What a Tree! The Three Branches of Illinois Government

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1 Subject: The importance of the Three Branches of Illinois Government Grade Level: Middle School (6-8) Length of Lesson: One 45-minute class period Summary of Lesson: By completing the following lesson, students will have the opportunity to explore each of the three branches of government. Together the class will review and discuss the Three Branches Table. Once the class has an understanding of the three branches, students will fill out the Getting to Know Your Government worksheet to determine how much they ve learned. Materials: One large piece of construction paper A writing utensil Objectives of Lesson: Identify and understand the three branches of Illinois government. Learn about the members, duties, requirements, and term lengths for officials in each branch. Participate in a discussion about why the branches are all unique and also linked together. Lesson Plan: 1. As a class, create a K-W-L chart on a large piece of construction paper. Divide it into three columns: What we already know about the Illinois State Capitol, What we want to know, and What we learned. Before starting the activity, ask the students to share their ideas about the first and second columns of the chart. 2. Discuss with the students a brief overview of the three branches, using the Executive, Legislative, Judicial (ELJ) table as a reference. Explain to the students that each branch has its own unique contributions, but they all work together to effectively keep the Illinois government running smoothly. 3. Once they have a better understanding of the three branches, divide the class into as many groups as you feel necessary and pass out the ELJ table and the What a Tree! The Three Branches of Illinois Government worksheet. Have them fill out the What a Tree! The Three Branches of Illinois Government worksheet together in their groups and write The _ on the board. As a class, have them figure out the hidden message. 4. Once they have unscrambled the hidden message collect both the ELJ tables and their completed worksheets. 5. As a class, discuss and fill out the What we learned column of the K-W-L chart. Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science addressed: SS.CV MdC.

2 The Three Branches Table Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch WHO: Governor WHO: Representatives and Senators WHO: Supreme Court Justices Chief executive of the state Responsible for the administration of all areas of the executive branch Annually presents a proposed state budget to the General Assembly and reports on the condition of the state, setting priorities and direction. Make, amend, and repeal state laws Vote on an annual budget for state government Proposes and submits amendments to the Illinois Constitution for consideration by voters Impeach and convict executive and judicial office holders Highest court in the state Has general administrative and supervisory authority over all courts in Illinois Hears appeals from the Appellate and Circuit Courts May exercise original jurisdiction in various cases At least 25 years old A United State Citizen A resident of Illinois for three years prior to election One term is four years. No limit on the number of terms a Governor may serve. There is only one Governor. Representatives: At least 21 years old Reside in the district for at least two years prior to the election or appointment Senators: At least 21 years old Reside in the district for at least two years prior to the election or appointment Representatives: One term is two years. No limit on terms. All representatives are elected every two years. Senators: Districts are divided into three electoral groups after each census and their terms vary from election to election. The first group is elected to terms of four years, four years and two years The second group is elected to terms of four years, two years and four years. The third group is elected to terms of two years, four years and four years. 1. There are 118 Representatives 2. There are 59 Senators. Licensed attorney of Illinois Resident of the district which elects them Elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections. Each justice represents one of the five judicial districts in Illinois. The First District, which consists of Cook County and the City of Chicago, elects three of the justices; the remaining four choose one each. To be re-elected, the justice must run in an uncontested, nonpartisan retention election in which 60 percent of votes must be in favor of retention. If a vacancy on the court occurs, the court itself appoints a new justice. 1. There are seven justices.

3 Please read and answer these questions about the three branches of Illinois government. 1. What is the chief executive of Illinois called? 2. Which branch of Illinois government makes laws? 3. How many justices are in the Supreme Court? _ 4. There are 59 members of the? 5. Which branch of the government interprets laws? _ 6. Representatives serve year terms. _ 7. Supreme Court justices serve a year term? _ 8. The Governor serves a year term? 9. The House of has 118 members. _ 10. Senators laws and serve staggered terms. 11. Which branch of government carries out the laws? _ 12. The Governor can serve consecutive terms. _ 13. There are three of state government. _ 14. A must be at least 21 years old. 15. The Governor must be at least years old. Now unscramble the circled letters to discover the mystery words. (HINT: What is the name of the Illinois legislative body made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate?) The _

4 (Answer Sheet) Please read and answer these questions about the three branches of Illinois government. 1. What is the chief executive of Illinois called? GOVERNOR 2. Which branch of Illinois government makes laws? LEGISLATIVE 3. How many justices are in the Supreme Court? SEVEN 4. There are 59 members of the? SENATE 5. Which branch of the government interprets laws? JUDICIAL 6. Representatives serve year terms. TWO 7. Supreme Court justices serve a year term? TEN 8. The Governor serves a year term? FOUR 9. The House of has 118 members REPRESENTATIVES 10. Senators laws and serve staggered terms MAKE 11. Which branch of government carries out the laws? EXECUTIVE 12. The governor can serve consecutive terms. UNLIMITED 13. There are three of state government. BRANCHES 14. A must be at least 21 years old. REPRESENTATIVE 15. The Governor must be at least years old. TWENTY-FIVE Now unscramble the circled letters to discover the mystery words. (HINT: What is the name of the Illinois legislative body made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate?)

5 The General Assembly Vocabulary Words 1. Capitol the building in which the state legislature meets. The state capitol is located in Springfield, IL. 2. Capital a city that is the official seat of government in a state. Springfield is the capital of Illinois. 3. General Assembly refers to the two houses of the Illinois legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate. 4. Representative a member of a legislative body selected by popular vote. An Illinois state representative must at least be 21 years old, and reside in district for at least two years prior to election or appointment. 5. Senator a member of a legislative body selected by popular vote. An Illinois state representative must at least be 21 years old, and reside in district for at least two years prior to election or appointment. 6. Legislative branch the branch of government which makes the laws of the state. Illinois legislative branch of government consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 7. Executive branch the branch of government which enforces the laws of the state or makes sure they are carried out. The chief executive officer of Illinois is the governor. 8. Judicial branch the branch of government that interprets the laws of the state. The State Supreme Court is the highest or most powerful judicial body in Illinois. 9. Election an organized activity in which one is chosen for an office by a vote. 10. Citizen a person who is entitled, by birth or naturalization, to the rights and privileges of the city, state, or country where he/she resides. 11. Governor the chief executive of a state. As of 2018, the Governor of Illinois is Bruce Rauner. 12. Vote the way someone officially makes his or her choice of a candidate for an office, or the way a legislator expresses his or her decision about a proposed bill. 13. Constitution a written set of basic laws and principles that outline the function and limits of a government. Illinois first constitution was written in Bill an idea for a law or a proposed law presented to a legislative body for approval. 15. Springfield the capital of Illinois. It became the permanent capital in Yea an old English word meaning yes, and by tradition used by legislators in voting yes. 17. Nay an old English word meaning a negative answer or vote, and by tradition used by legislators in voting no. 18. Law a rule established by authority, society, or the Illinois General Assembly. 19. Chambers rooms for the meetings of assemblies, especially legislative assemblies.