Illinois ditches the death penalty:

Quinn expected to sign death penalty ban
chicagotribune.com

SPRINGFIELD
— Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign historic legislation abolishing the death penalty in Illinois on Wednesday, according to the House sponsor and sources familiar with the governor’s plans.

The Democratic governor on Tuesday quietly invited death penalty opponents to a private bill-signing ceremony scheduled for late Wednesday morning in his Springfield office. Quinn’s office confirmed that the governor has an event at the Capitol on Wednesday to announce his decision on the death penalty measure.

“They point-blank told me they were signing the bill (Wednesday),” sponsoring Rep. Karen Yarbrough told the Tribune.