IL Bar Constitutional Law 3

Question 1

The Dormant Commerce Clause doctrine prevents states from enacting laws that:

Accepted Answer

Unduly burden or discriminate against interstate commerce

Answer

Regulate interstate commerce with congressional authorization

Answer

Tax federal instrumentalities

Answer

Restrict individual liberties

Question 2

Under the Illinois Constitution's Home Rule provision, a home rule municipality may:

Accepted Answer

Exercise any power relating to its government and affairs unless the General Assembly specifically limits it

Answer

Only exercise powers expressly granted by the General Assembly

Answer

Override state law on any subject

Answer

Levy any tax without limitation

Question 3

The Contracts Clause of Article I, Section 10 prohibits states from passing laws that substantially impair existing contracts. This clause applies to:

Accepted Answer

Existing contracts, subject to a balancing test

Answer

Future contracts only

Answer

Federal contracts only

Answer

Municipal bonds exclusively

Question 4

Executive privilege may be overcome in a criminal proceeding when:

Accepted Answer

There is a demonstrated specific need for the evidence outweighing the privilege

Answer

Any party requests the information

Answer

The information is merely relevant to litigation

Answer

The President is not personally implicated

Question 5

Which branch of government has the power to impeach federal judges under the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The House impeaches; the Senate tries

Answer

The Senate alone

Answer

The House of Representatives alone

Answer

The Supreme Court

Question 6

A law school student receives a lower scholarship renewal because of comments made on a personal blog criticizing university policy. Assuming a public university, which constitutional protection is most relevant?

Accepted Answer

First Amendment retaliation against protected speech

Answer

Due Process — property interest in scholarship

Answer

Equal Protection — suspect classification

Answer

Takings Clause