Illinois Abolishes the Death Penalty

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed landmark legislation to repeal the state’s “seriously broken” death penalty and then commuted the death sentences of the 15 men currently on death row,reported the Chicago Sun-Times.

“We cannot have a death penalty in our state that kills innocent people,” Quinn said. “If the system cannot be guaranteed 100 percent error free, then we cannot have the system. It cannot stand. It just is not right.”

“I felt once the decision was made to sign the law abolishing the death penalty, it should be abolished for all,” Quinn said of commuting the existing death sentences, reported the Sun-Times. “I do believe the evil-doers should be punished severely in prison without parole ... but without the death penalty.”

Illinois joins 15 other states without the death penalty.

To read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/4225981-418/gov.-pat-quinn-signs-bill-repealing-illinois-death-penalty