How Laws Get Passed in Illinois
It's all about ILGA
The Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) is made up of two chambers, the House and the Senate. Illinois has 59 legislative districts each electing one senator for either two- or four-year terms. Each of those districts is divided into two representative districts. The House is made up of 118 representatives, who serve two-year terms. Find your district.
Most bills pass by a simple 51% majority vote: 60 votes in the House and 30 in the Senate. Bills that pass both chambers are sent to the governor for signing. The governor has 60 days to either veto a bill or sign it into law. If the governor does nothing for 60 days, the bill becomes a law. See the detailed path of a bill.
Each General Assembly conducts business during a two-year term beginning when new House members are elected. The 102nd General Assembly began in January, 2021.
ILGA conducts business during specific Sessions
Regular Session convenes each year in January and usually adjourns the last day of May. This year, the Regular Session was adjourned early, on April 9, to allow for a delayed Primary Election. The Primary was delayed to allow time for district maps to be drawn based on 2020 Census data that was delayed due to Covid shutdowns.
Veto Session is when ILGA reconvenes for two weeks in the fall. This year the Veto Session is scheduled for November 15–17 and November 29–December 1. This session is used to address any bills the governor has vetoed, and can also be used to pass other legislation.
Lame Duck Session can be convened at the end of ILGAs two-year term, after elections. This term, that would be in January, before the 103rd General Assembly takes office on January 11, 2023. A simple majority (51%) is required to pass legislation in a Lame Duck Session.
Special Sessions may be called by the Governor or by a joint proclamation of the presiding officers of both chambers. After the events of this summer, it is expected that lawmakers may call for a Special Session this fall, to address gun legislation and reproductive healthcare legislation.
Timing may be everything for Illinois legislation this fall
Bills passed before May 31 of a calendar year go into effect on January 1 of the next calendar year, unless otherwise stated in the bill.
Bills passed after May 31 of a calendar year go into effect June 1 of the next calendar year unless the General Assembly approves an earlier date, written into the bill, by a three-fifths majority.
Bills passed during either the Veto Session or a Special Session, if one is called in fall, will need to meet this three-fifths majority threshold if they are written with an immediate effective date.
Bills passed during a Lame Duck Session in January only need a simple majority to pass, whether or not they are written with an immediate effective date.
Let your legislators know what you want
Insist on your right to be represented. Contact your representatives by phone or email regularly!
Contact Senator Dick Durbin: 202-224-2152
Contact Senator Tammy Duckworth: 202-224-2854