Illinois Governor Slashes the Death Penalty

Illinois Governor Slashes the Death Penalty

Following a grueling debate about the risk of executing an innocent person, Illinois has finally moved to eradicate its use of capital punishment, making it the 16^th state in the nation without a death penalty.

In light of the fact that 20 people sentenced to death in the state had their cases overturned after evidence proved them to be innocent, Governor Pat Quinn – a long-time supporter of the death penalty – could no longer support the measure.

Question: Whether guilty as charged or not, do you believe that the government should have the power to end a person’s life?

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, March 10, 2011:

"Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn abolishes death penalty, clears death row"

 After two decades of debate about the risk of executing an innocent person, Illinois abolished the death penalty Wednesday, a decision that was certain to fuel renewed calls for other states to do the same.