Today, Illinois becomes the 16th state to abolish capital punishment! Emails, letters, phone calls and attention from Amnesty International members over the years, and particularly in the last few months played an integral part in bringing about this landmark victory. Illinois is the first of five states set to tackle death penalty abolition this year – what a great start!
Governor Pat Quinn was surrounded by death penalty abolition advocates this morning during a private ceremony as he signed the bill ending the cruel and unjust system of capital punishment once and for all. He also took the important step of commuting the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life without parole.
Please click here to send a thank you note to Governor Quinn and bill sponsors Senator Kwame Raoul and Representative Karen Yarbrough.
AIUSA Group 48 
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