Statement on Proposal from Gov. Rauner to Reinstate the Death Penalty in Illinois

Earlier today, Governor Bruce Rauner used an amendatory veto to try to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois, seven years after it was repealed by the legislature.

Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director at the ACLU of Illinois, responded as follows:

“Seven years after Illinois ended the flawed, racially-biased death penalty in our state, Governor Bruce Rauner today used an amendatory veto to write this ineffective system back into law. Illinois has seen the harm that a flawed death penalty system can do, all while adding nothing to our public safety. Suggesting a return to this failed policy is particularly disappointing from a Governor who has proclaimed that the concept of redemption must be a critical part of criminal justice reforms.

We urge the legislature to reject this approach.”