Illinois Abolishes the Death Penalty

Illinois has recently, within the month of March, abolished the death penalty. Illinois is the 16th state who has given up the death penalty for a punishment to criminals. There has been more than a dozen people who were put to death, then found to be innocent afterward; this is what took them over the edge. Governor Quinn stated, "Since our experience has shown that there is no way to design a perfect death penalty system, free from the numerous flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions or discriminatory treatment, I have concluded that the proper course of action is to abolish it", as he signed a bill to abolish capital punishment. Not only did Quinn abolish the death penalty, he saved 15 death row inmates from receiving it, in which they were supposed to. They still serve life in prison.

The state of Illinois also declared that they will be saving money buy getting rid of the death penalty all together. This gives the state more money to be put into other criminal facilities, or for any other use that they have in mind. Governor Quinn recognized the families who lost innocent love ones due to the death penalty. He also said that he would never bring back the death penalty or any form of the death penalty. The bill does not actually go into effect until July 1, 2011, but until then, Gov. Quinn will commute the sentence of anyone who is supposed to receive the death penalty between now and then.

There had been no executions carried out since 1999 due to a ten year moratorium that was put into effect in 2000. The legislature passed the bill in January, to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, but Gov. Quinn had spent two months after reflecting the decision between others and himself. Many agree with his decision and say it was only a matter of time for this to happen. It saves the innocent, but doesn't let the guilty off easy. Criminal charges still come into effect, just not to the extent of the death penalty.



Evans, B. (2011, March 9). Illinois has abolished the death penalty. Retrieved from http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/illinois-has-abolished-the-death-penalty/

Illinois abolishes the death penalty. (2011, March 10). Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty-2011-03-10

NPR Staff and Wires, . (2011, March 9). Illinois abolishes the death penalty. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2011/03/09/134394946/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty