What is required to override a governor's veto in Illinois?

To override a governor's veto in Illinois, a three-fifths vote in both houses of the General Assembly is required. This means that more than half of the legislators in both the House of Representatives and the Senate must agree to the override. This threshold is designed to ensure that there is substantial bipartisan support for the decision to go against the governor's wishes, reflecting a strong legislative consensus.

A simple majority, which is often a lower bar, is not sufficient for this process; the requirement ensures that a significant majority of elected representatives from both chambers must be in agreement to override the veto. Similarly, a two-thirds vote in one house or a unanimous vote are not the standards established in Illinois law for this action. The three-fifths requirement thus strikes a balance between the power of the executive branch and the legislative branch, allowing for checks and balances within the state's government.