January 17, 2003

BY DAVE MCKINNEY SUN-TIMES SPRINGFIELD BUREAU

SPRINGFIELD--A move to abolish the death penalty picked up steam in the General Assembly on Thursday with a top House Democrat announcing legislation to end executions and Senate President Emil Jones embracing the concept.

Rep. Arthur Turner (D-Chicago), the third-ranking House Democrat, said he has introduced a bill that would prohibit the death penalty, launching what could become one of the spring session's most contentious debates.

The measure has surfaced previously but has gone nowhere. This time could be different because Democrats have deposed former Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R-Wood Dale), an ardent supporter of executions.

"In the past, we've always used Pate Philip as an excuse for criminal justice changes that couldn't take place," Turner said. "It would be my request to the speaker to let this bill move."

Since the elections, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has almost uniformly shunned the press, keeping silent on the death penalty and most other public policies. A spokesman did not return phone calls Thursday.

But it's clear the mood in the Senate has changed. Jones intends to submit a broad package of criminal justice reforms soon, a top aide said. "He'd support an abolition of the death penalty," spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said.

Meanwhile, House Republicans weighed in on former Gov. George Ryan's decision to empty Death Row. House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), who opposes abolition, unveiled legislation that, in part, would require the Prisoner Review Board to publicize its recommendations to the governor on future Death Row clemency cases. Such advice is kept secret now.