Gov. Pat Quinn is again going the route of the amendatory veto to bring about reform.
Two weeks ago, it was to allow primary voters to keep their party declaration secret. Tuesday, the governor issued an amendatory veto that allows voters to propose legislation regarding government ethics and political fund raising, and if they gather 100,000 signatures, the General Assembly will be required to vote on it.
If the General Assembly votes it down, the measure would be placed on the ballot as a non-binding referendum at the next election.
The underlying bill, H.B. 5206, was a simple one allowing election officials to use an electronic reporting system to cancel voter registrations of those who have died. It was sponsored by State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale). Lawmakers will have to approve the governor's amendment or override the veto. If they do nothing, the whole bill dies.
Quinn has talked about this measure for decades. He says he chose to go the amendatory veto route because now, as governor, he has that authority.
The governor also signed a bill that updates the state's Whistleblower Act, and changes the name to the False Claims Act. The measure allows those who blow the whistle on fraud against the state to share in any recovery. The new law, sponsored by State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and State Rep. Will Burns (D-Chicago), brings the law into congruence with the federal law, allowing the state to recover additional money in Medicaid false claims.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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