What is required for the Illinois General Assembly to pass a "bill of revenue"?

For the Illinois General Assembly to pass a "bill of revenue," a simple majority vote in both houses is required. This is established in the Illinois Constitution, which specifies that all revenue-related legislation must receive majority approval in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that bills that affect the state's budget and funding, which can significantly impact public services and programs, receive broad legislative support, facilitating accountability and transparency in financial matters.

Other options, such as requiring a simple majority in just one house, would not adequately reflect the legislative consensus needed for such critical financial legislation. Similarly, demands for a two-thirds majority or unanimous votes would be too stringent, potentially hindering the passage of necessary funding measures. The focus on a simple majority in both houses strikes a balance between efficiency in governance and the need for adequate representation.