What type of vote is needed to pass a regular bill in Illinois?

To pass a regular bill in Illinois, a simple majority vote is required. This means that more members must vote in favor of the bill than those who vote against it. In practice, this typically involves one more than half of the votes cast by the members present.

This requirement allows for legislation to be passed relatively quickly and reflects the principle of democratic decision-making, where the majority opinion holds influence in the legislative process. A simple majority aligns with the standard legislative practice in many other jurisdictions and is designed to facilitate the functioning of government by enabling it to enact laws efficiently.

The other voting thresholds, such as a two-thirds majority or a three-fifths majority, are applicable in specific circumstances, such as overriding a veto or passing certain types of legislation that require a higher level of consensus. A unanimous vote would imply that every member present agrees, which is typically not realistic in a diverse legislative body and would severely hinder the legislative process.