Will Pat Quinn Show Leadership on Abolishing the Death Penalty?

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 1, 2011 3:00PM

Since the General Assembly passed a bill outlawing execution as punishment for criminals in Illinois, Gov. Quinn has yet to take action on the bill. Quinn has said that he's considering the bill, although he hasn't indicated what he ultimately intends to do with it.

Quinn has three options that he can take before March 18: sign the bill, enacting it as law in Illinois, take no action, effectively allowing it to become law, or use his veto or amendatory veto power to kill it. An amendatory veto would set the bill back, as it was passed by the previous legislature

Quinn says that he's been lobbied by both South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sister Helen Prejean, the New Orleans nun that was made famous in the film Dead Man Walking, among others. “I’m looking at all aspects of that issue,” Quinn told the Tribune. “I think it’s important for the governor to visit and listen to a variety of different groups and individuals on this very important issue.” Quinn has said that he favors executions, although he has maintained the moratorium on the death penalty imposed by former Gov. George Ryan. “I’ve received a lot of books and articles and letters and e-mails. Many citizens of Illinois who aren’t celebrities of any kind, but have a strong feeling on the issue, pro and con, have sent in their point of view and this is healthy,” Quinn elaborated. “I want to make sure we do this right and do it in a way that encourages dialogue. I think that’s the best way to go in a democracy.”

Quinn has also said that he's asked for input from Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who said last week that “the death penalty is an appropriate and just punishment when a defendant commits multiple murders or murders a victim in a particularly heinous manner or circumstances.”