Politics

Illinois Gov. Quinn unsure if he will sign death penalty abolition

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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn won’t say if he plans to sign legislation abolishing capital punishment.

Quinn said Wednesday he would look at the bill “very carefully,” calling it an important measure that deserves lots of study.

State lawmakers sent the proposal to the governor’s desk Tuesday in a historic vote.

Illinois has had a moratorium on capital punishment for more than a decade. It was imposed by former Gov. George Ryan, who later removed all inmates from death row to ensure the system wouldn’t wrongly put anyone to death.

Quinn has said he supports the death penalty when properly applied, but he hasn’t lifted the moratorium. He said he wants to hear from constituents and would follow his conscience.