The Death Penalty in Illinois

[Sydnee Mulherin]

The state government of Illinois has begun writing proposals that would present the death penalty back into the state legislature. Specifically, current governor Bruce Rauner hopes to reintroduce the policy of the death penalty to include punishment for criminals who are “guilty beyond any doubt” as well as those who killed someone in law enforcement. This discussion comes after the death penalty was eradicated in 2011 during the office of governor Pat Quinn. As of today, the governor has asked the General Assembly of Illinois to begin discussions and proposals that would eventually reinstate that law. Rauner hopes to undo the abolishment of the law that occurred in 2011 so that it is clear that “we have no tolerance for such atrocities in our state.” During his office as governor Rauer has frequently upheld pieces of legislation that move laws to incite harsh punishment on criminals as well as sharpen already instated gun laws.

This article presents information on the stance of the state government of Illinois which I thought would be very telling of how government on the state level in comparison to the federal or local level. It also detailed one of the various powers that are mandated to the state in order to take care of. This topic, dealing with the death penalty, I thought would be an interesting read as well as provide information on what the political sphere of Illinois is like. As a previous resident of Illinois, I also chose this article to grasp an idea of current events within Illinois that I am usually not familiar with.

The issue of the death penalty is one that presents a certain complexity, even more so in considering faith in the picture. I think that in order to effectively communicate that some crimes are unacceptable there must be a harsher punishment used. While I am unsure whether the death penalty is that option, I think that is often does accomplish the job as Governor Rauner maintained. However, in the darkness of today’s world, the Gospel is truly what needs to be the center point. For the criminals who are committing the crimes that would determine the necessary usage of the death penalty there is most likely a lack of understanding about the love that God’s love for them. As a Christian, I would want those criminals to live a long as possible so that there is the hope of them being transformed by Christ during their lifetime. The Lord is both sovereign and faithful and He is able to do exceedingly more than what we think. This means that He can take someone who has done the worst and still forgive them of everything they have done. He did it will Paul and He will do it again. Understanding that truth keeping the death penalty out of the picture appears to be the most logical answer.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/14/illinois-death-penalty-w...

[Shavelly Then]

Hello Sydnee,

As a Christian it is hard to pick a side. Like you stated: "I think that in order to effectively communicate that some crimes are unacceptable there must be a harsher punishment used. While I am unsure whether the death penalty is that option, I think that is often does accomplish the job as Governor Rauner maintained." I believe that crooks would definitely think twice as hard before engaging in crimes. Nonetheless, many of the laws in the United States tend to be doubled moral; for example, abortion. Abortion allows women to kill a innocent baby legally yet killing is illegal. It is because of this that I believe that we should uphold the law no matter if a situation is more complex than another. If killing is wrong it should be a general ideology across the nation, and it should not be right to kill depending on the situation. In this case, if a crime is committed by a felon.  

[Lily Barnes]

I think that it is smart to have a standard punishment for specific crimes even if its a harsh punishment like the death penalty. If everyone knew that you would get killed for shooting a police office etc I would want to believe that humanity would do it less. If there is fear installed in people they are less likely to do it. I agree with Illinois stating that the death penalty would be for people for who are beyond guilty and everything proves them doing it. I understand there being a grey area when you don't know if the person is guilty or not however, if you know the person is guilty that is what they should get. 

Eventhough I have personally never visited Illinois, Chicago I known nation wide for having such a high crime rate. I remember reading articles are young kids getting killed in the cross fire of two gangs. Innocent kids that had a whole life ahead of them to live. What ever happened to the killers? Where they just thrown in jain to eventually be let out in parole just to go back to the same life they had before?