He finally did it. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn abolished capital punishment. Quinn also commuted the sentences of all 15 inmates remaining on Illinois’ death row. They will now serve life in prison.
From the Washington Post: “State lawmakers voted in January to abandon capital punishment, and Quinn spent two months reflecting on the issue, speaking with prosecutors, victims’ families, death penalty opponents and religious leaders. He called it the “most difficult decision” he has made as governor.
“I think if you abolish the death penalty in Illinois, we should abolish it for everyone,” the governor said.”
When the new law takes effect on July 1, Illinois will join 15 other states that have done away with the executions.