John Howard Association of Illinois

As longtime abolitionists, JHA is thrilled that Governor Quinn not only abolished the death penalty, but also commuted the sentences of the 15 inmates currently on death row to natural life.

From JHA's statement on the death penalty: "the death penalty demonstrates disrespect for human life and does not make society safer. We recognize that society deserves protection against the threat posed by convicted and potential killers, but other sentences serve that purpose as well or better."

Today, Governor Quinn and the General Assembly has put Illinois on the path of having a more humane and cost-effective justice system.