 Lawmakers last month passed a measure that would end the death
penalty in Illinois, but the legislation excludes the 15 inmates now
on death row. That point was noted to Quinn, and he was asked if he
was considering commuting the sentences of those inmates."I'm
going to make a decision on everything at the right time -- it won't
be that long from now -- but I do think it's important to have a
period of reflection and review, and that's what we're doing," Quinn
said.
The governor is the only state official authorized to commute
death row sentences.
Lawmakers narrowly approved the abolition measure during the
lame-duck session after a long and often emotional debate.
Supporters pointed to multiple death row exonerations, while
opponents argued the threat of capital punishment is a tool used by
law enforcement to garner confessions from alleged killers.
The state constitution allows the governor 60 days to act on
legislation after it is sent to his desk, or it becomes law without
his signature. The proposal was sent to Quinn on Jan. 18.
Quinn said his decision will come in "a few weeks." In the
meantime, he said he has taken time to "listen to the dialogue of
the people, reflect and pray."
"I've had meetings in my office with a variety of different law
enforcement people, as well as private individuals, people from the
faith community," Quinn said. "I encourage anyone in Illinois with
an opinion on this subject to e-mail me, mail me letters."
Quinn has said in the past that he supports capital punishment
for the most heinous of crimes, but he also has kept in place the
moratorium on the death penalty imposed in 2000 by former Gov.
George Ryan. Ryan then cleared out death row in January 2003,
commuting the sentences of all inmates.
As the main proponent of the legislation, the Illinois Coalition
to Abolish the Death Penalty and its supporters are patiently
waiting for Quinn's decision.
"Obviously, we want him to sign it, but we've really stressed
that the governor should take as much time as he needs," said Jeremy
Schroeder, executive director.
County state's attorneys, however, favor capital punishment and
are hoping Quinn keeps it in place.
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Coles County State's Attorney Steve Ferguson in February 2003
successfully prosecuted and got the death sentence for Anthony
Mertz, who was convicted of killing a female Eastern Illinois
University student. Mertz was the first inmate to be sent to death
row following Ryan's blanket commutations, and he still resides
there.
Ferguson said he doesn't begrudge Quinn the time he needs to
reach a decision.
"He certainly seems to be putting more deliberation and time into
this than the Legislature did, and I'm thankful for that," Ferguson
said.
Kevin Lyons, state's attorney for Peoria County, traveled to the
state Capitol several times to testify against the abolition bill.
He noted that if Quinn signs the legislation, he would also have to
act in favor of the inmates now on death row.
"Fairness would demand that if the death penalty is abolished,
those persons would surely have to have their sentences commuted by
governor act to life without parole," Lyons said. "Fairness would
require it."
But a political observer noted the Democratic governor's
conundrum: Quinn narrowly supports the death penalty, but he has
been handed abolition legislation by a Democratic Legislature.
"It does put him in a bit of a box," said Kent Redfield, a
professor of political studies at the University of
Illinois-Springfield.
However, Quinn could sign the legislation and then ask the newly
elected, more conservative Legislature to craft a narrowly defined
death penalty, Redfield said.
"That seems to be the only kind of out he has right now," he
said.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By MARY MASSINGALE]
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