Governor Quinn filed an amendatory veto Tuesday to delay a bill that would remove gubernatorial appointees serving beyond their term limits. The bill, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton, would have given the governor 30 days to replace some 700 appointees, many whose terms expired months or even years ago. The Tribune reports Quinn filed the veto to the bill to delay the measure for a few months in order to have time to recruit people for the vacant posts. more ›

During election season, politicians have a habit of toting ethical reforms and dangling yarns of action before voters. Gov. Quinn this week used an amendatory veto on House Bill 5206 to introduce provisions that put government reforms directly into the voters’ hands. The Ethics Initiative allows voters to present legislation related to ethical conduct and campaign finance reform to the General Assembly for a vote. more ›

Remember that amendatory veto Blagojevich put together a while back? The one that would have required insurance companies to cover up to $36,000 a year in occupational, physical, speech and behavioral therapies in addition to psychiatric and psychological services, and an unlimited number of doctor visits for autistic kids until they turn 21? more ›

Governor Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power Sunday to expand House Bill 4255, which requires public employee health plans to cover preventative physical therapy treatments for multiple sclerosis and to expand autism coverage. The legislation comes from Senate Bill 1900, which did not pass earlier this year, despite broad bi-partisan support. Insurance policies in Illinois will now be required to cover up to $36,000 a year in occupational, physical, speech and behavioral therapies in addition to psychiatric and psychological services, and an unlimited number of doctor visits for autistic kids until they turn 21. "Since most insurance companies do not cover the cost of treating autism, families can be torn apart and sent to the brink of financial ruin trying to care for their child," Blagojevich said Sunday. more ›