Quinn: If Lawmakers Want Paychecks, Override Veto

Attorneys for Gov. Pat Quinn say a judge should toss a lawsuit over his halting of lawmaker salaries because if legislators want their paychecks they can override his veto.

Quinn used his line-item veto to cut money for legislators' salaries from the budget because lawmakers haven't fixed Illinois' massive pension crisis.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton sued, saying Quinn's action was unconstitutional and violated the separation of powers. They want a judge to order paychecks to be issued.

In a motion filed Friday, Quinn's lawyers say when a veto "rankles'' lawmakers they have the authority to override it. They note there may be ``understandable political reasons'' for Madigan and Cullerton's reluctance to seek an override.

But they say if that option exists, a lawsuit is premature.