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Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Signs Bill Abolishing Death Penalty!
History has been made again by an NCADP State Affiliate! On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 2:56 p.m., the Illinois State Senate passed SB 3539, the bill to abolish the Death Penalty, on a 32-25 vote. That followed House passage on a 60-55 vote the preceding Thursday, January 6, 2011. And on March 9, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law.
The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and all its national and state partners have won a tremendous victory, and we're proud to have been a part of it. You can read news about the bill signing in the Chicago Tribunehere.
Wherever you live, we encourage you to send a message to Governor Pat Quinn thanking him to sign the bill, and thank the bill sponsors by emailing Rep. Karen Yarbrough and Sen. Kwame Raoul at www.ncadp.org/IllinoisAction.
You can also CALL the Governor at 217-782-6830.
Below are some pictures and video of the aftermath of Senate vote. You can also view pictures and video of the House vote by clicking here.
Gail Rice, Cathy Crino, Randy Steidl and Jeremy Schroeder preparing to testify at the Senate Judiciary Committee
Randy Steidl testifies as Cathy Crino and Senator Kwame Raoul sit at the table next to him
Inside the hearing room
Our crew in the audience (note the red buttons!). That's Beth, Mara and Katie, and behind them, Liz and Colleen.
After the vote
Cathy Crino, Gail Rice, Sen. Kwame Raoul, Jeremy Schroeder
The crew receives congratulations by phone from Sister Helen Prejean
Photos following SB 3539's passage in the House:
Murder victim family members Cathy Crino and Gail Rice with Randy Steidl, the 18th of 20 Illinois death row exonerees, in the House Gallery, where they were introduced by the bill sponsor.
Gail and Cathy with Kwame Raoul, Senate bill sponsor
Cathy and Gail giving a post-vote interview
The final vote board
Randy Steidl and Rep. Yarbrough interviewing after the vote
ICADP Executive Director Jeremy Schroeder interviewing after the vote
