BBC: Illinois has become the 16th US state to abolish the death penalty, after the governor signed a bill making permanent a 10-year-old moratorium on executions.
Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill after spending two months consulting with victims' families, prosecutors, religious leaders and others.
Former Governor George Ryan ordered a moratorium in 2000 amid concerns innocent people could be executed.
Thirty-four states still have the death penalty. >>> | Wednesday, March 09, 2011
