August 25, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the Illinois House of Representatives,

96th General Assembly:

With this message, I return House Bill 237 to the House of Representatives with specific recommendations for change.  I regard this bill as noble in intent.  However, parts of it are unworkable in practice.  The State’s fiscal challenges are such that raising the interest rate on bills the state is delinquent in paying will simply exacerbate an already serious problem.  Though I am sympathetic to the hardship those to whom the state is delinquent in paying face, promising them additional dollars the State does not have is not a solution.

            One portion of this bill defines a specific category of provider bills as falling under the provisions of the State’s Prompt Payment Act.  Today’s action leaves that provision of the bill undisturbed.  Inasmuch as most provider bills are already covered under the Prompt Payment Act, treating community-based providers offering prevention, intervention, and treatment for those with developmental disabilities, psychological challenges, and substance abuse issues in the same manner is equitable and fair.

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 237, entitled “AN ACT concerning finance”, with the following specific recommendations for change:

on page 1, line 5, by replacing “Sections 1 and 3-2” with “Section 1”; and

by deleting line 21 on page 2 through line 2 on page 5.

With these changes, House Bill 237 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor