August 11, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives

96th General Assembly

Today, I return House Bill 59 with my specific recommendations for change.

This bill contains language conditioning agency rulemaking authority on compliance with the  Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.  This language is a remnant of the controversy surrounding certain rulemaking undertaken by my predecessor’s administration.  In approving House Bill 398, I demonstrated my administration’s commitment to upholding the law and respecting the constitutionally protected powers of each branch of government.  My approval of House Bill 398 renders the language related to rulemaking in this bill moot.  It is time to move past the battles between my predecessor and members of the General Assembly.  I am, therefore, deleting this language from the bill. 

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 59, entitled “AN ACT concerning human rights.”, with the following specific recommendations for change:

on page 12, by deleting lines 11 through 17; and

on page 20, by deleting lines 19 through 25; and

on page 22, by deleting lines 15 through 21.

With these changes, House Bill 59 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor