Gov. Pat Quinn says he'd like to hear from the citizens of Illinois before he decides whether to sign legislation that would abolish the death penalty in the state.
During an event at the University of Illinois on Wednesday, Quinn said he's already weighing input from prosecutors, clergy and others on the bill passed this month by the General Assembly.
The governor wouldn't say when he'll make a decision. He says he's going through a period of what he called "reflection and review."
Quinn has said he supports the death penalty. But he also has kept a moratorium on capital punishment put in place in 2000 by Gov. George Ryan after courts overturned the death sentences of 13 men after finding them innocent.
Source: Associated Press, January 19, 2011
Death penalty abolition 1 signature away
The pressure is on the governor's pen. All eyes are on Illinois to see whether it becomes the 16th state to kill the death penalty.
Former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty in 2000, and cleared out death row just before leaving office in 2003. The moratorium stayed in place when Govs. Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn stepped in.
Lawmakers last week passed legislation that abolishes the death penalty, as one of the final actions of the 96th General Assembly. But the measure won't become law unless Quinn signs it or takes no action on it within 60 days from when he received it. Some political observers are speculating on the governor's next move.
Jim Nowlan, a former state lawmaker who now works for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, laid out the governor's possibilities.
"His options are to sign the bill or veto it. And the other action would have to be taken up to a new introduced bill in the new session of the Legislature that just began this past week," Nowlan said. "So, I don't think the amendatory veto is an option for him."
An amendatory veto, the power to change items in passed legislation, is not likely because the previous General Assembly has adjourned, Nowlan said.
A big question also surrounds the fate of the 15 inmates who now are on death row. The legislation does not include the inmates, because it only affects future sentencing.
The state's moratorium on the death penalty remains in place, so there is no need to lessen any of the 15 convicted men's penalties, said Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson.
Illinois Statehouse News reached out to state prosecutors involved with some of the cases of death row inmates, and the Illinois Attorney General's Office, but did not get a response.
The governor is reviewing the death penalty bill and so far is staying mum on whether he would sign it. He has stated in the past that he favors the death penalty for the most serious of crimes.
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 19, 2011
________________________Death penalty abolition 1 signature away
The pressure is on the governor's pen. All eyes are on Illinois to see whether it becomes the 16th state to kill the death penalty.
Former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty in 2000, and cleared out death row just before leaving office in 2003. The moratorium stayed in place when Govs. Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn stepped in.
Lawmakers last week passed legislation that abolishes the death penalty, as one of the final actions of the 96th General Assembly. But the measure won't become law unless Quinn signs it or takes no action on it within 60 days from when he received it. Some political observers are speculating on the governor's next move.
Jim Nowlan, a former state lawmaker who now works for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, laid out the governor's possibilities.
"His options are to sign the bill or veto it. And the other action would have to be taken up to a new introduced bill in the new session of the Legislature that just began this past week," Nowlan said. "So, I don't think the amendatory veto is an option for him."
An amendatory veto, the power to change items in passed legislation, is not likely because the previous General Assembly has adjourned, Nowlan said.
A big question also surrounds the fate of the 15 inmates who now are on death row. The legislation does not include the inmates, because it only affects future sentencing.
The state's moratorium on the death penalty remains in place, so there is no need to lessen any of the 15 convicted men's penalties, said Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson.
Illinois Statehouse News reached out to state prosecutors involved with some of the cases of death row inmates, and the Illinois Attorney General's Office, but did not get a response.
The governor is reviewing the death penalty bill and so far is staying mum on whether he would sign it. He has stated in the past that he favors the death penalty for the most serious of crimes.
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 19, 2011
ACLU: Tell Governor Quinn to Repeal the Death Penalty in Illinois
Last week, the Illinois State Senate passed Senate Bill 3539 — repealing the state's irretrievably broken death penalty system. We have cleared high hurdles in convincing a majority of the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate to support the bill. But the job isn't finished. We need to make sure that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signs Senate Bill 3539 into law, because, if we succeed, this will be more than a victory for Illinois — it will also be a catalyst for justice across the nation.
Help us gather signatures from 50,000 members and supporters all across the country. We'll deliver this statement of support to his office next week.
Tell Governor Quinn to seal the deal: end the death penalty in Illinois. Click here to sign the online petition.
Help us gather signatures from 50,000 members and supporters all across the country. We'll deliver this statement of support to his office next week.
Tell Governor Quinn to seal the deal: end the death penalty in Illinois. Click here to sign the online petition.
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