Illinois abolishes death penalty

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has abolished the death penalty in that state, immediately commuting the sentences of all 15 inmates on death row there. Illinois now joins 15 other states that have done away with the death penalty.

Former Gov. George Ryan had imposed a moratorium on executions in 2000 after the death sentences of 13 men were overturned, also clearing death row before leaving office in 2003 by commuting the sentences of 167 condemned inmates to life in prison, the Associated Press reported.

Thirty-five states, federal courts and the military, retain the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. New Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2009; New Jersey 2007. A court ruling abolished it in New York in 2004. Illinois’ last execution, prior to its moratorium was in 1999 when Andrew Kokoraleis was put to death.


The New York Times, USAToday, and CNN have more.