Chicago Sun-Times

 8/18/01

Illinois Governor Vetoes Death Penalty Expansion

Governor Ryan vetoed legislation that would have expanded the death penalty to be used against gang members who murder.  The legislation would have made anyone who commits murder automatically eligible for the death penalty if the killing was "in furtherance" of a gang.  In rejecting the bill, Ryan stated that the legislation was vague, disproportionately targeted minorities, duplicated existing tough-on-gang laws, and could wrongly subject someone to an irreversible fate if they were mistakenly convicted.