Illinois Lawmaking: Understanding The Bill Process

The process of a bill becoming a law in Illinois involves multiple stages and approvals. A bill is introduced in the house of origin, followed by its first reading. It is then referred to a committee, which decides whether to consider it. If the committee decides to proceed, a hearing may be held, and the committee holds a markup session to vote on reporting the bill out to the first house, often with amendments. The bill undergoes a second reading, where further amendments can be proposed, and a third reading, where it is debated and voted on. If the bill passes the first house, it moves to the second house, repeating the same steps. If both houses approve the bill, it is forwarded to the Governor for approval, signature, or veto within 60 days. If the Governor takes no action, the bill automatically becomes law after 60 days.

Bill introduced in the house of origin

The first step in the legislative process in Illinois is the introduction of a bill in the house of origin, also known as the "first house". This can be done by any legislator, and bills often arise from the concerns of Illinois citizens, or constituents. There are three types of bills: revisory, which makes technical changes; appropriation, which provides funding for state agencies; and substantive, which makes major changes to existing laws or creates new ones.

Once a bill is introduced, it must be given its first reading, where it is read by its title. After this, it is given a number and assigned to a standing committee. Committees are specialised by subject or topic area, for example, education, insurance, human services, and mental health. The committee sets deadlines and decides when the bill will be read. If a legislator wants a bill to be read at a specific meeting, they must inform the committee chairman. The chairman will then call the bill, and the legislator can bring in information and witnesses to support the bill. Those who oppose the bill also have a chance to speak at this stage.

After the first reading, the bill is referred to the Rules Committee, which then refers it to a committee of the first house. The committee then decides whether or not to consider the bill. If they decide to consider it, they may hold a hearing, and then a "markup session", where they vote to report the bill out to the first house, often in an amended form. Amendments are a major part of the legislative process, and they are often suggested by the sponsor of the bill.

Committee decides to consider the bill

Once a bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly, it is then referred to a committee of the first house. This committee will decide whether or not to consider the bill. If they decide to consider it, the committee or a subcommittee may hold a hearing. This is an important stage as it is the first time that a bill can be amended. Amendments are a crucial part of the legislative process, often suggested by the sponsor of the bill.

After the hearing, the committee must take action on the bill. They have three options: 'Do Pass', 'Do Pass as Amended', or 'Do Not Pass'. If the committee chooses 'Do Not Pass', the bill may be killed. However, if they choose to pass the bill, it will move on to the next stage of the legislative process.

At this stage, the committee may hold a "markup session" and vote to report the bill out of the first house, often in an amended form. The committee also has the power to amend the bill directly. Once any amendments have been made, the committee votes to report the bill out of the first house. This is a critical step in the process, as it determines whether the bill will move forward or not.

The committee plays a vital role in shaping the bill before it is sent back to the first house. They have the authority to make changes and amendments, which can significantly impact the final form of the legislation. This stage of the process is crucial in ensuring that the bill is thoroughly reviewed and revised before progressing further in the legislative process.

Amendments are suggested

Once a bill has been introduced, it will be assigned a number and referred to a committee. The committee will decide whether to consider the bill and may hold a hearing. This is the first opportunity for the bill to be amended. Amendments are a way to make changes to a bill, and they are a major part of the legislative process. The sponsor of the bill often suggests amendments, and these are often small changes. However, if the sponsor wants to make a large change, they will need to explain it to the other legislators and ask for their support.

After the committee has considered the bill and any amendments, they have three options: "Do Pass", "Do Pass as Amended", or "Do Not Pass". If the committee chooses "Do Pass as Amended", the bill will move forward with the suggested amendments. The bill will then go to the second reading, which is considered on the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is the only time when changes can be made to the bill. The legislators will discuss the bill and may make further amendments. In the House, any amendments must be recorded and printed, and each member must have a copy of the bill before discussing the amendments. In the Senate, amendments do not need to be printed unless five or more Senators request it.

After all the amendments have been considered and accepted or rejected, the bill moves on to the third reading. This stage is only for voting on whether to pass the bill; no further amendments can be added. The sponsor of the bill will explain why it should be passed, and then the other legislators will discuss it. This discussion could be very short, or it could be a lengthy debate.

Second reading in the first house

Once a bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly, it undergoes its first reading, where it is read by its title in the house it began in. The bill is then given a number and assigned to a standing committee. Committees are specialized by subject or topic area, such as elementary and secondary education, insurance, human services, and mental health. After the committee stage, the bill moves to its second reading.

The second reading of a bill in the Illinois legislative process is a critical stage where the bill is considered on the floor of the House of Representatives or the Senate. Each chamber or house gives a bill three readings, and the second reading occurs after a "do-pass" recommendation from a committee. At this stage, the bill is placed on the second-reading calendar of the House or Senate, and this is the amendment stage, where changes can be proposed and made.

During the second reading, the presiding officer reads through the bills, and if the legislator who sponsored the bill is present, the other legislators can discuss and propose changes. If the sponsor is not present, the bill remains on the calendar for the second reading without discussion. In the House, the clerk must record and print any amendments, and each member must have a copy of the bill before discussing the amendments. In the Senate, amendments do not need to be printed unless five or more senators request it.

Any amendments added by a committee in the Senate must be adopted on the floor. In the House, an amendment adopted by a committee can be modified or removed during the second reading. If the original sponsor of the bill wants to make small changes, the other legislators can agree by voicing their opinions. However, if the sponsor seeks to make significant changes, they must explain them to the other legislators and seek their support.

To adopt an amendment, a majority of legislators must be present and vote "yes." If there is uncertainty about the outcome of the vote, an electronic voting machine may be used, and the result is recorded in the journals of each house. After addressing all amendments, the bill is considered to have been read for the second time and moves on to the third reading, where it will be voted on without further amendments.

Bill sent to the second house

Once a bill has been passed by the first house, it is sent to the second house. Here, the process is repeated, with the second house following the same steps as the first. This includes a first reading of the bill, referral to a committee, a hearing, a markup session, a second reading, and a third reading. If the bill passes the second house in the same form as it did the first, it is then sent to the Governor. However, if the second house makes amendments to the bill, it is sent back to the first house for a vote on whether to accept the changes. If the first house does not concur with the second house's version, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences, and the amended bill is sent back to both houses for a vote. If both houses accept the conference committee's report, the bill is then forwarded to the Governor.

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