UPDATE 3:03 p.m. Jan. 11, 2011:
The Associated Press is reporting that the Illinois Senate has voted to abolish the death penalty in that state.
The Chicago Tribune also reports the following:
The ban on executions goes to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who must sign the legislation for it to become law. During last fall's campaign, Quinn said he supports "capital punishment when applied carefully and fairly," but also backs the 10-year-old moratorium on executions. The Senate voted 32-25 to approve the ban, with two members voting present.
UPDATE 1:13 p.m. Jan. 11, 2011:
The Illinois Senate is debating the death penalty bill this afternoon on the floor. You can listen or watch the debate live here.
Earlier Story:
Illinois has moved one step closer to a vote on abolishing the death penalty in the state.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee voted this morning to advance a bill to repeal the death penalty, setting up a probable full Senate vote later today.
The bill passed in the House last week in a quick re-vote when the first vote failed the bill, 59-58.
The Chicago Tribune also has more information on the history of the death penalty in the state, via legislation and key cases in their story today.
