Illinois Repeals Death Penalty

*Breaking News*

Here is a message we are happy to share from Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation.

Reconciliation means accepting that you cannot undo the murder but you can decide how you want to live afterwards.
March 9, 2011

Dear Friends,

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn *just* signed the bill to repeal the death penalty and reallocate funds from its Capital Litigation Trust Fund to provide law enforcement training and services to families of homicide victims. This makes Illinois the 4th state in the country to repeal the death penalty since 2005, following New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico.

“Illinois joins a growing list states and other Americans who recognize that the death penalty simply does not work,” said Beth Wood, Executive Director of MVFR. “Illinois has been under a moratorium for ten years, has had two study commissions, and passed dozens of reforms to try and make the death penalty work. But the system continued to make mistakes while costing millions of dollars and dragging victims’ families through an endless ordeal.”

ACT NOW!

Take a moment to thank the Governor.

Please call Governor Quinn and thank him for his thoughtful attention and courageous decision in favor of repeal! He made history in Illinois today, and we need to let him know we're proud!

Springfield Office: 217-782-0244

Chicago Office: 312-814-2121

Scour your newspapers, blogs, and other websites for any mention of the Illinois repeal over the next few days. When you see some, send a letter to the editor or comment on the blog or web post in support of the repeal. Post the stories to Facebook or Twitter with a big hooray. Make sure to identify yourself as a member or supporter of MVFR in any comments, so that your legislators start to get the hint – you want repeal too [If you're in Illinois -- be sure to thank your legislators for this common sense move to improve the system]!

For every state that repeals the death penalty, we get one step closer here too. Momentum is contagious. This is a moment of celebration for us all!

Warmly,

Beth Wood, Executive Director