Illinois to abolish death penalty

The Associated Press:

Springfield, Illinois - Gov. Pat Quinn intends to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, two sponsors of the legislation said Tuesday.

State Rep. Karen Yarbrough and state Sen. Kwame Raoul told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Quinn's staff invited them to the bill a signing ceremony Wednesday morning in the governor's Springfield office.

"It's going to happen," Raoul said.

Quinn's office declined to comment Tuesday about his intentions. He has said he personally supports the death penalty when properly implemented but would make a decision on the bill based on his conscience.

The Chicago Democrat would thrust the state back into the national debate over capital punishment by signing the legislation, which would add Illinois to the list of join 15 other states and the District of Columbia without the death penalty. The new law would take effect July 1.

Continue reading here.