Illinois
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, Illinois has executed a total of 12 people since 1976.
In January 2003, Governor Ryan commuted every death sentence in the state, clearing death row as he left office. Later that year, the legislature passed some significant reforms, but many of the committee's recommendations have not yet been implemented.
Under the current governor, the moratorium has remained in place. Meanwhile, an abolition bill passed out of committee with a vote of 8-4 in 2003!
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has announced that he will continue the state's moratorium on executions, stating: "I don't feel any artificial pressure to lift the moratorium. I'd like to one day be in the position to do that, if I thought the position was foolproof. But I don't believe a series of reforms that the Legislature will pass, most of which I support, will do enough to have me feel that the system won't make those kinds of mistakes."
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
There are currently 10 prisoners on Death Row in Illinois. Of the 10 Death Row prisoners, 3 are black, 5 are white and 2 are Latino. However, Illinois is currently in a state of moratorium.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
The Center on Wrongful Convictions is located in Chicago, Illinois.
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
There have been a total 18 innocent people exonerated on Death Row in Illinois. Perry Cobb was released in 1987 after serving 8 years, Darby (Williams) Tillis was released in 1987 after serving 8 years, Jospeh Burrows was released in 1994 after serving 5 years, Rolondo Cruz was released in 1995 after serving 10 years, Alejandro Hernandez was released in 1995 after serving 10 years, Verneal Jimerson was released in 1996 after serving 11 years, Dennis Williams was released in 1996 after serving 17 years, Gary Gauger was released in 1996 after serving 3 years, Carl Lawson was released in 1996 after serving 6 years, Anthony Portor was released in 1999 after serving 16 years, Steven Smith was released in 1999 after serving 13 years, Ronald Jones was released in 1999 after serving 10 years, Steve Manning was released in 2000 after serving 7 years, Aaron Patterson was released in 2003 after serving 17 years, Madison Hobley was released in 2003 after serving 16 years, Leroy Orange was released in 2003 after serving 19 years, Stanley Howard was released in 2003 after serving 16 years, and Gordon Steidl was released in 2004 after serving 17 years.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
ACLU of Illinois
Campaign to End the Death Penalty
The Illinois Death Penalty Education Project
The Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty
The Illinois Death Penalty Moratorium Project (e-mail jane_bohman@hotmail.com or GWB815@aol.com or call 312-849-2279)
Additional Resources
Illinois State Info at DPIC
Illinois State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
ILLINOIS: JURY REJECTS DEATH ROW INMATE'S LAWSUIT
November 17, 2005
A sad Anthony Porter update from The New York Times: ILLINOIS: JURY REJECTS DEATH ROW...
Judging John Roberts: Death Row Rights
September 16, 2005
The death penalty was highlighted Wednesday in an exchange between Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and...
Gonzales Concedes Death Penalty Could Be Changed
August 09, 2005
From CBS2 Chicago. (CBS) CHICAGO President Bush's top law enforcement officer seems to be softening...
The Innocent
May 11, 2005
Our partner, The Center on Wrongful Convictions, for their 2005 benefit are sponsoring a benefit...
Ryan addresses ACLU
April 24, 2005
Former Governor George Ryan spoke at ACLU's annual meeting in Peoria on Saturday night. Ryan...
Illinois to Seek Death Penalty for Tucker
April 14, 2005
Yesterday, Chicago News Channel WTWO reported that the state was to seek death penalty for...
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
US 'Whittling Away at Death Penalty'
March 03, 2005
From the BBC: Legal experts say that the US Supreme Court's decision to prevent youths...
Democracy Now Segment About The Death Penalty
March 02, 2005
Today you can see a segment of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman about the landmark...
March 1st - International Death Penalty Abolition Day
March 01, 2005
The Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing, who has a great mailing list that I...
Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juvenile Killers
March 01, 2005
In a huge move, The Supreme Court forbid the execution of minors (under 17) at...
Study Finds Innocence Issue Leads to Lower Death Penalty Support
February 22, 2005
Makes sense to me. Three-quarters of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed...
Death Penalty Debate Falls Silent
February 17, 2005
The Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald each published articles today about the lack of attention...
Bush Calls for Death Penalty Lawyer Training
February 04, 2005
I realize this is a slow response to the State of the Union, (two days...
Deadline screening in Urbana sells-out!
January 31, 2005
We had a screening of Deadline at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to commemorate...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
Editorials
November 17, 2004
I think it's great when an editorial about the death penalty gets published. This editorial...
Former Governor Ryan Speaks At Northwestern
November 08, 2004
Many people ask us why we have chosen Illinois as one of our target states....
Criminal Justice Investigations Continue at Chicago Tribune
October 27, 2004
Steve Mills, Maurice Possley (the two Chicago Tribune journalists featured in Deadline) and Flynn McRoberts...
Summary: DePaul University's Symposium on Race and the Death Penalty
September 14, 2004
From the weekly DPIC update, we find more arguments for re-examining current death penalty legislation:...
GUEST BLOGGER: Shari Silberstein, Equal Justice USA, Co-Director & Organizer
September 13, 2004
Illinois is not unique – How Illinois' experience sheds light on the death penalty everywhere...
