By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Is it justice or revenge or politics? Opponents and proponents of bringing back the death penalty in Illinois for cop killers and mass murderers said their piece Monday in committee.
Governor Bruce Rauner made the death penalty for certain murderers an issue by including it among several changes he made to House Bill 1468 about gun purchase wait times. The governor signed his amendatory veto of the bill on the on the last day of his 60-day deadline to act on the legislation.
Last week’s amendatory veto led bill sponsor Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, to file a motion to accept Rauner’s AV. He also filed a House amendment to Senate Bill 2580 mirroring the governor’s changes to his original bill. House Speaker Michael Madigan called for a hearing on the issue for Monday.
At that hearing, Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz said they support the death penalty for cop killers and mass murderers as a way to deter criminals from targeting police officers or committing mass murder.
“I believe that anything that we can do to help stop that, whether it’s this bill or some other bills, it’s something that we should work on and strive for,” Schmitz said.
State Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, said everyone should support law enforcement, but she has a question of prioritizing one life over another.
“I certainly do say, ‘yes we should have your back’,” Willis said. “But what makes your life more valuable than my husband’s life, or my daughter’s life, or my mother’s life?”
Other opponents, including the Catholic Conference of Illinois, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and others, said the death penalty is not a deterrent and goes against criminal justice reforms.
But there were also accusations from both sides that the issue was being politicized in an election year.
State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, said he’s tried for years to bring back the death penalty but it’s never had a hearing. He said the fact that this measure is getting a hearing in the Democratic-controlled legislature is a sign of pure politics.
“If you want to play political games, sir, do it with other parts of this amendatory veto,” Cabello said, noting last week was a week to remember fallen police officers. “Don’t do it with this.”
Democratic state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said the issue being brought up in the first place smacks of politics, especially when supporters say the burden of proof – which in Rauner’s amendatory veto he made “beyond any doubt” instead of the standard “beyond reasonable doubt” – could be unattainable.
“If you really believe that then you’re acknowledging that this is a stunt,” Cassidy said. “That the games and disgrace … actually land squarely on the second floor” of the capitol where the governor’s office is.
Carroll, the sponsor of the original bill and the bill mirroring Rauner’s AV, said he’s not making politics of the issue, he’s just looking for an honest hearing.
“The governor had my bill for two-and-a-half months and signed in at the eleventh hour with all those changes on it and I want to talk about these things,” Carroll said. “Here’s a process in place where we can talk about these things and hear testimony.”
Lawmakers will debate other elements of the governor’s plan in a Wednesday committee.
