Illinois set to join the ranks of Death Penalty-free states.....

[marmar]

:toast:


SPRINGFIELD-Gov. Quinn is expected to sign landmark legislation Wednesday that will repeal the state’s death penalty, according to legislative sources briefed on his plans.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief Senate sponsor, said the governor’s office informed the legislation’s House sponsor, Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), that he would sign the measure.

“I expect it to be tomorrow morning, late morning, and I expect it to be favorable,” Raoul told the Chicago Sun-Times. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.suntimes.com/4213113-417/raoul-pat-quinn-to-sign-bill-repealing-illinois-death-penalty.html


.........


STATES WITHOUT THE DEATH PENALTY (YEAR ABOLISHED IN PARENTHESES)
Alaska (1957)
Hawaii (1948)
Iowa (1965)
Maine (1887)
Massachusetts (1984)
Michigan (1846)


Minnesota (1911)
New Jersey (2007)
New Mexico* (2009)
New York (2007)#
North Dakota (1973)
Rhode Island (1984)**
Vermont (1964)


West Virginia (1965)
Wisconsin (1853)

ALSO
- Dist. of Columbia (1981)

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/states-and-without-death-penalty

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. Good. And Amen. nt

[mopinko]

2. thank you pat. we have enough blood on our hands here.

i knew you would do the right thing.

i'm so happy to be blue.

[madrchsod]

4. ya ain`t it grand...

i think we will be going to madison this weekend. her union rep has had rides for us since this started but i`ve been sick and teresa could`t get off work.

oh ya...the republican who beat foster in the 14th told a meeting of republicans out here that he was`t a teabagger and did`t agree with much of what they stand for. all the republicans out here are trying to get as much pork as possible. the failure of the sale of the prison has the republican`s singing the blues...

[bigwillq]

3. K and R (nt)

[Silver Swan]

5. I certainly hope so

I moved to Illinois from Michigan (with no death penalty) in 1968, and I actually thought I was putting my life in danger, because one of my greatest fears was been falsely accused of something I did not do.

I remember in connection with an Illinois constitutional convention back in 1970 or so, the death penalty was up for a vote, and the people voted to keep it. When I woke up and read the newspaper, I felt sick about the attitude of my fellow citizens.

I know I shouldn't take such an issue personally, but my opposition to the death penalty has always been as issue of my personal safety. If it exists, it could be used against me, as well as anyone else.