Governor Quinn violates U.S. and Illinois constitutions simultaneously

On Tuesday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn sent S. 681–a heretofore utterly uncontroversial, modestly pro-gun bill that had passed with overwhelming bipartisan support–back to the General Assembly with an “amendatory veto.” The amendatory veto process is a power granted to Illinois governors allowing them to make changes to bills that have passed. If a simple majority in each chamber accepts the governor’s changes, the altered bill becomes law. If three fifths of each chamber (36 of the state’s 59 senators, and 71 of the 118 representatives) vote to override the veto, the original bill becomes law. If neither happens, the bill is dead.