August 14, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the Illinois House of Representatives,

96th General Assembly:

Today, I veto House Bill 548.

This bill is duplicative of Senate Bill 35 which I signed into law on July 23, 2009.  The only difference is that House Bill 548 contains language conditioning agency rulemaking ability on compliance with the provisions of 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, my administration demonstrated its 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. 

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I return House Bill 548 to the House of Representatives, where it originated, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety. 

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor