Politics & Government

Death Penalty Ban Passes Illinois Senate, Heads to Gov. Quinn's Desk

The llinois Senate passed a ban on executions with a 32-25 vote.

The Illinois State Senate voted to ban the death penalty in a 32-25 vote Tuesday afternoon. State Sen. Maggie Crotty (D), 19th District, and Sen. Emil Jones (D), 14th District, both voted "Yes" to the ban.

The ban passed the House last week and now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. State Rep. William Davis (D), 30th District, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D), 37th District, Rep. Al Riley (D), 38th District, and Rep. Robert Rita, 28th District all voted to pass the ban.

Illinois has not carried out an execution since former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty 10 years ago. That decision came after several Death Row inmates were found to be innocent.

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According to the Chicago Tribune, Quinn has yet to make a public statement on if he will sign the bill into law.


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