Friday marks 10 years since Ryan emptied Ill. death row
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KANKAKEE, Ill. (Associated Press) -
It was ten years ago that former Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 Illinois death row inmates.
Friday's anniversary marks one decade since Ryan said he had to act because Illinois' capital system was "haunted by the demon of error." The now-imprisoned former governor made his announcement in a speech at Northwestern University's law school on Jan. 11, 2003. He said the state's justice system made errors determining guilt and errors determining who among the guilty deserved to die.
The Republican was replaced as governor two days later by Democrat Rod Blagojevich, who also is now in prison.
Rob Warden is executive director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions. He tells The (Kankakee) Daily Journal that Ryan "set off a national movement focused on the death penalty."
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:12:24 GMT
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:11:05 GMT
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs. At least 24 people were killed, including nine children. Those numbers were expected to climb.
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs. At least 24 people were killed, including nine children. Those numbers were expected to climb.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:26 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:26:50 GMT
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
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