State lawmakers were back in Springfield this week for the first three days of the annual fall Veto Session. During the 2023 spring session, more than 550 bills were passed through both chambers of the General Assembly and sent to the Governor for final action. Gov. JB Pritzker signed all but six into law. Of the six bills, three received total vetoes, and an additional three received partial, or amendatory, vetoes. 

Legislators can override a full veto with a 3/5 vote in the House and Senate. If a vetoed bill is not called for a vote, the veto stands, and the bill dies. For bills that received amendatory vetoes, the Legislature can either vote to approve the Governor’s amended bill language with a simple majority vote, or lawmakers can override the amendatory veto with a 3/5 vote to approve the original bill. It’s up to the leaders of the Majority Party to decide which, if any, bills are called for reconsideration.  

There was little action on vetoed bills this week; however, the Illinois Senate took the opportunity to take up other measures that are now on their way to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Lawmakers will return for the final week of veto session starting Nov. 7.