By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD- Illinois lawmakers return to the Capitol this week for the annual veto session, a unique time on the legislative calendar specifically intended to overturn gubernatorial vetoes.

 Veto session is designed, constitutionally, as a way for lawmakers to make sure a governor can’t stand in the way of the will of the people.

 Former State Senator Matt Murphy said after lawmakers approve a plan in the spring, the governor has a chance to sign it (say yes) or veto it (say no), and veto session gives the legislature a chance pass vetoed plans again. “If enough legislators think the governor was wrong in a veto, they have the opportunity under our constitution to override that veto and pass the law anyway,” Murphy said.

 It takes 71 votes in the House and 30 votes in the Senate to override. Democrats have the votes in Senate but have rarely been able to find 71 votes in the House. Which is why Murphy said so few laws are passed in the veto session. “If there’s something that comes up, and it’s new, and it’s passed in the veto session. It’s probably an issue that arose between the spring when the legislature was last in session and November,” Murphy explained. 

 Veto session runs three days this week, and three days the week after Thanksgiving.