What is the required vote margin for the Illinois General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot?

The required vote margin for the Illinois General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot is a three-fifths vote in both houses. This means that when a proposed amendment is considered, it must receive the support of at least three-fifths of the members present and voting in both the House and the Senate.

This requirement ensures that a significant majority of lawmakers agree on the amendment before it is presented to the voters, reflecting the importance of constitutional changes. It also underscores the rigorous process involved in altering a foundational governing document, which is designed to maintain stability and deliberate consideration in the legislative process.

A simple majority, while sufficient for ordinary legislation, does not provide the level of consensus deemed necessary for constitutional amendments. Similarly, a two-thirds vote, while common in some legislative procedures or in other contexts, does not apply to this specific situation in Illinois. An unanimous vote would be much too stringent and impractical, as it would prevent any possibility of amendments from being considered if even a single member opposed them.