Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
**Question 1. Which year marks the adoption of Illinois’ current constitution?**
A) 1818
B) 1848
C) 1870
D) 1970
Answer: D
Explanation: The Illinois Constitution that is in force today was adopted by voters
in 1970, replacing earlier versions from 1818, 1848, and 1870.
**Question 2. The pre-1818 capital of Illinois was located on the Mississippi River.
Which city was it?**
A) Springfield
B) Vandalia
C) Kaskaskia
D) Chicago
Answer: C
Explanation: Kaskaskia served as Illinois’ first capital after statehood in 1818 and
was situated on the Mississippi River.
**Question 3. What is the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause as it relates
to the Illinois Constitution?**
A) To give the state power over federal law
B) To ensure state laws cannot contradict the U.S. Constitution
C) To allow the governor to override federal statutes
D) To prioritize local ordinances over state statutes
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The Supremacy Clause establishes that the U.S. Constitution and
federal laws are the supreme law of the land, so Illinois statutes must not conflict
with them.
**Question 4. Which of the following goals is NOT explicitly stated in the
Preamble of the Illinois Constitution?**
A) Promote health, safety, and welfare of the people
B) Secure the blessings of liberty
C) Encourage economic development through tax incentives
D) Establish a government of law and order
Answer: C
Explanation: The Preamble mentions health, safety, welfare, liberty, and a
government of law and order, but it does not specifically mention tax incentives
for economic development.
**Question 5. Illinois Article I provides protection against discrimination based on
which two categories that are not expressly mentioned in the U.S. Bill of Rights?
**
A) Age and marital status
B) Sex and disability
C) Religion and language
D) Political affiliation and citizenship
Answer: B
Explanation: Section 18 prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 19
prohibits discrimination against the handicapped—both are unique to the Illinois
Constitution.
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
**Question 6. Under Illinois law, a person accused of a crime has the right to
which of the following?**
A) A trial by judge only
B) Mandatory capital punishment for all felonies
C) A trial by jury upon request
D) No right to confront witnesses
Answer: C
Explanation: Article I guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases,
mirroring the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
**Question 7. Which provision guarantees Illinois residents a “healthful
environment”?**
A) Article III, Section 7
B) Article XI, Section 1
C) Article V, Section 12
D) Article II, Section 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Article XI of the Illinois Constitution includes an explicit right to a
healthful environment, a provision not found in the federal constitution.
**Question 8. To be eligible to vote in Illinois, a citizen must be at least how many
years old?**
A) 16
B) 18
C) 21
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
D) 25
Answer: B
Explanation: The Illinois Constitution sets the minimum voting age at 18, the same
as the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
**Question 9. A resident who has been convicted of a felony may regain voting
rights in Illinois after:**
A) Completion of the sentence, including parole and probation
B) Signing a pardon petition
C) Paying a $500 fine
D) Waiting ten years from the conviction date
Answer: A
Explanation: Illinois law restores voting rights once the individual has fully served
the sentence, including any parole or probation.
**Question 10. Which body oversees the administration of elections in Illinois and
is required to be bipartisan?**
A) Illinois Supreme Court
B) State Board of Elections
C) Governor’s Office of Voter Services
D) Illinois Senate Committee on Elections
Answer: B
Explanation: The State Board of Elections is a bipartisan agency tasked with
supervising elections throughout Illinois.
**Question 1. Which year marks the adoption of Illinois’ current constitution?**
A) 1818
B) 1848
C) 1870
D) 1970
Answer: D
Explanation: The Illinois Constitution that is in force today was adopted by voters
in 1970, replacing earlier versions from 1818, 1848, and 1870.
**Question 2. The pre-1818 capital of Illinois was located on the Mississippi River.
Which city was it?**
A) Springfield
B) Vandalia
C) Kaskaskia
D) Chicago
Answer: C
Explanation: Kaskaskia served as Illinois’ first capital after statehood in 1818 and
was situated on the Mississippi River.
**Question 3. What is the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause as it relates
to the Illinois Constitution?**
A) To give the state power over federal law
B) To ensure state laws cannot contradict the U.S. Constitution
C) To allow the governor to override federal statutes
D) To prioritize local ordinances over state statutes
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The Supremacy Clause establishes that the U.S. Constitution and
federal laws are the supreme law of the land, so Illinois statutes must not conflict
with them.
**Question 4. Which of the following goals is NOT explicitly stated in the
Preamble of the Illinois Constitution?**
A) Promote health, safety, and welfare of the people
B) Secure the blessings of liberty
C) Encourage economic development through tax incentives
D) Establish a government of law and order
Answer: C
Explanation: The Preamble mentions health, safety, welfare, liberty, and a
government of law and order, but it does not specifically mention tax incentives
for economic development.
**Question 5. Illinois Article I provides protection against discrimination based on
which two categories that are not expressly mentioned in the U.S. Bill of Rights?
**
A) Age and marital status
B) Sex and disability
C) Religion and language
D) Political affiliation and citizenship
Answer: B
Explanation: Section 18 prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 19
prohibits discrimination against the handicapped—both are unique to the Illinois
Constitution.
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
**Question 6. Under Illinois law, a person accused of a crime has the right to
which of the following?**
A) A trial by judge only
B) Mandatory capital punishment for all felonies
C) A trial by jury upon request
D) No right to confront witnesses
Answer: C
Explanation: Article I guarantees the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases,
mirroring the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
**Question 7. Which provision guarantees Illinois residents a “healthful
environment”?**
A) Article III, Section 7
B) Article XI, Section 1
C) Article V, Section 12
D) Article II, Section 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Article XI of the Illinois Constitution includes an explicit right to a
healthful environment, a provision not found in the federal constitution.
**Question 8. To be eligible to vote in Illinois, a citizen must be at least how many
years old?**
A) 16
B) 18
C) 21
, Illinois Constitution Ultimate Exam
D) 25
Answer: B
Explanation: The Illinois Constitution sets the minimum voting age at 18, the same
as the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
**Question 9. A resident who has been convicted of a felony may regain voting
rights in Illinois after:**
A) Completion of the sentence, including parole and probation
B) Signing a pardon petition
C) Paying a $500 fine
D) Waiting ten years from the conviction date
Answer: A
Explanation: Illinois law restores voting rights once the individual has fully served
the sentence, including any parole or probation.
**Question 10. Which body oversees the administration of elections in Illinois and
is required to be bipartisan?**
A) Illinois Supreme Court
B) State Board of Elections
C) Governor’s Office of Voter Services
D) Illinois Senate Committee on Elections
Answer: B
Explanation: The State Board of Elections is a bipartisan agency tasked with
supervising elections throughout Illinois.
