Moments ago, the Illinois State Senate voted 32-25 to to end the death penalty!!! It now goes on to Governor Pat Quinn, who we hope will sign it and make it law.
My colleague, Equal Justice USA's state campaign coordinator Colleen Cunningham, has been on the ground in Springfield throughout this campaign. I just caught her on the phone and here's what she had to say:
"I am over the moon! It's been amazing to work with the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penaltyand the courageous murder victims' family members and death row exonorees who have poured their hearts and souls into this campaign. We are one signature away from making history!"
We couldn't have done this without help from the Daily Kos community and the amazing editors of Criminal InJustice Kos. Thank you. I am going to go dance my victory dance now. And you should too.