Rejected! Illinois Senate Overrides Quinn's Amendetory Veto

Just one day after Governor Pat Quinn used an amendetory veto to nix the state legislature's McCormick Place plan, the Illinois Senate rejected his rejection.

The Illinois Senate  voted 51-2  Thursday to override the governor's veto of legislation designed to cut costs at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center.

Quinn tried to veto the legislation because he said the bill didn't go far enough to stem costs, have a succession plan for the CEO or increase taxes enough. .

“The General Assembly has taken only half a step toward reforming our state’s convention industry,” said Governor Quinn in his amendatory veto message to the Legislature, according to a release from Quinn's office. “When it comes to reform, half measures do not suffice. The only real reform is comprehensive reform.”

The legislation aimed to cap the exhibition center's labor costs and let exhibitors do their own set-up instead of using convention center union workers. The bill also doubles the ground transportation tax charged on trips to and from the city's airports.

Quinn's veto would eliminate the tax, soften union language and argue the center should strictly follow state purchasing rules.

Senate President John Cullerton says lawmakers will address some of Quinn's concerns in follow-up legislation.

The issue now goes to the House.

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