Veto Session for IL Lawmakers Tomorrow - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Veto Session for IL Lawmakers Tomorrow

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

Tomorrow the veto session starts for Illinois lawmakers, it's when they have a chance to override any of the ten bills the governor vetoed this year.

In January, they will meet again for a special lame duck session.

For outgoing legislators, there's more at stake than ever.

"I did tell everybody I'm drunk with lame duck power, that I can get to vote," said Illinois Republican State Representative Richard Morthland.

Representative Morthland was voted out of office a few weeks ago, but the next two sessions give him and other outgoing legislators a last hurrah.

"What I don't have to worry about is making sure I get reelected obviously," said Representative Morthland.

In Illinois' government, the veto session is the last time of the year legislators meet.

Both the state senate and house come together to try to override any bills the governor's vetoed, like funding for prisons and gambling expansion.

Lawmakers have the opportunity to edit and reintroduce them.

"There's still room to massage, there's still room to get the right wink and nod, I just haven't seen it yet," said Illinois Democratic Senator Mike Jacobs.

But lawmakers said the really big changes probably won't happen until the lame duck session on January 3^rd; it all has to do with votes.

During the veto session, a bill needs a three fifths majority, while in a lame duck session, it just needs a simple majority.

"The big question is we don't know what's going to happen," said Representative Morthland.

Illinois lawmakers said the best way you can make a difference in the upcoming sessions is to just pick up the phone and call your local representative or senator.