Gov. Pat Quinn is facing a backlash from prosecutors around the state for signing the bill to abolish the state's death penalty. "Today is a victory for murderers across Illinois," the Associated Pressquotes DuPage
County State's Attorney Bob Berlin as saying. "While prosecutors across the state will continue to seek
justice, the reality is that for certain crimes that are so
horrific and evil that they shock the conscience of the community,
the people of this state will be denied a full measure of justice."
But Quinn is standing his ground. On WGN this morning, the governor was asked about the prosecutors' criticisms. His response noted that "prosecutors in our state have made mistakes," sending 20 people to death row for crimes they did not commit. Take a look:
Abolition supporters, meanwhile, are hailing the decision and Quinn is finding support from the Sun-Timesand Tribune editorial boards this morning. "[T]his is a big moment, worthy of significant, if sober, celebration," the Tribune's editorial states. "Recognizing the intractable flaws of a system that sent at least 20
innocent men to death row, Illinois has taken a difficult but courageous
step. No government can sanction an instrument of justice that takes
such risks with the lives of innocent people."
The issue may not be finished, however. State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) said on the Big John and Amy show this morning that he plans to file a motion to reinstate the death penalty. Stay tuned ...
Michele Saddler is a graduate of Princeton University and the
Northwestern Kellogg Graduate School of Management. For a decade, she
ran the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Fund, a respected investment
pool for municipal governments. She worked as a top aide for Gov. Pat
Quinn when he was state treasurer. And for almost two years, she's successfully
ushered Illinois' Department of Human Services through its most
difficult budget crisis in history. Most public servants can only dream of a resume of this caliber.
Saddler also happens to be a biracial
woman. And State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), a chief ally of GOP
gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady, seems to think her gender and
racial make-up is the only reason she was selected to serve as Gov. Quinn's new
chief of staff. "While she, as an African-American, Asian woman, is a
political choice, it remains to be seen if she can govern state
government," he told NBC 5 yesterday. Watch it below, courtesy of the
Quinn campaign:
It's moments like this when it becomes painfully clear why Illinois' Republican Party has had such difficulty attracting the support of people of color.
While he never mentioned Bill Brady's name during a WBEZ interview today, former Gov. Jim Edgar still managed to get in a dig at the GOP gubernatorial nominee.
Kirk Dillard admitted his chances of a comeback are slim and that he'd like the process to
end before March 5, the deadline for the State Board of Election to
certify the results of the GOP primary election.
