Illinois Senate Votes Repeal Death Penalty, Bill to Go to Governor
The Illinois Senate has voted to repeal the state's death penalty. The House voted for the repeal last week, and the bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
The bill provides that the money in the Capital Litigation Trust Fund will be reallocated to a fund for murder victims’ services and law enforcement.
If signed into law, Illinois would become the 16th state to stop capital punishment and would mark the fewest states with the death penalty since 1978. Since 1976, Illinois has carried out 12 executions. In the same period, 20 inmates have been exonerated from the state’s death row, the second highest number in the United States.
The bill must be signed by Governor Pat Quinn in order to become law. So far, his office is not saying whether he will sign it.
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