Kotowski Gives House Another Opportunity to Lower Cook County Veto Override Threshold

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Kotowski Gives House Another Opportunity to Lower Cook County Veto Override Threshold

SPRINGFIELD- State Sen. Dan Kotowski's (D-Park Ridge) effort to lower the Cook County Board's veto override took another step forward today when it passed the Illinois Senate.

"This issue is so important for the voters and taxpayers of Cook County," Kotowski said.  "The four-fifths majority required to override the board president's veto takes power away from their locally elected representatives and gives it to one person-the county board president. To ensure the will of the people governs Cook County we need to restore balance between the county board's executive and legislature."

Kotowski's legislation, Senate Bill 588, lowers the Cook County Board's veto override threshold from a four-fifths majority to a three-fifths majority, effective immediately.  A similar measure passed the Illinois House yesterday.

"I've been pushing this reform all year," Kotowski said.  "I'm pleased to see that it received overwhelming support in the House.  I hope that they will also support this bill, which is already a step closer to the governor's desk, having passed the Senate."

Under current law, the Cook County Board needs a four-fifths majority to override the Cook County President's veto.  To override the governor's veto, the Illinois General Assembly needs a three-fifths majority, and to override the President of the United States, Congress needs a two-thirds majority.  Cook County has a uniquely high veto override threshold because of historical circumstances that no long apply.  In the past, board members' districts did not include both suburbs and the City of Chicago, so a four-fifths majority was required to protect the voice of the suburbs.  Now that districts are mixed, the higher majority is not needed.

"The county board has repeatedly tried to override vetoes and failed by a single vote," Kotowski said.  "I believe this is a sign that the system is broken.  We need to take the responsibility to fix it."

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