Written by Harmon Staff Tuesday, 11 January 2011 20:54
In my eight years in the Illinois General Assembly, there have been few issues with which I have wrestled to this degree. Our state has come breathtakingly close to executing innocent people. The legislature has attempted to reform the death penalty to ensure that no innocent person is convicted, sentenced, and put to death in error. Even after these reforms, far too many people charged with heinous crimes are later exonerated. I am not convinced that reforming the death penalty provides the requisite certainty that the State will not execute an innocent person. Moreover, I am gravely concerned that the death penalty is used as a tool to exact confessions and secure plea agreements. The State has a fundamental burden of proof in all criminal cases, and the threat of death unfairly and dangerously tilts the scales of justice against the potentially innocent. Finally, I remain unconvinced that the death penalty is fairly and equally applied. Our judicial system is predicated on the notion of, "equal justice under law," and yet far too often the poor and people of color find themselves on death row, while others do not. To continue to apply the death penalty in such a patently unfair manner flies in the face of justice. As a direct result of these factors, I joined my colleagues in voting to repeal the death penalty. I urge Governor Quinn to sign this legislation.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. —The Illinois Senate today voted to abolish the death penalty, joining the Illinois House in approving Senate Bill 3539.
Senator Harmon Menu
President Pro Tempore
39th District
Years served: 2003 - Present
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Assignments (Vice-Chairperson); Executive (Chairperson); Judiciary; Redistricting; Subcommittee on Election Law (Sub-Chairperson); Subcommittee on St. Gov Operations (Sub-Chairperson); Procurement (Co-Chairperson); Subcommittee on Redistricting II (Sub-Chairperson).
Biography: Attorney; born 1966, in Oak Park; graduated St. Ignatius High School; B.A., Knox College; J.D. and M.B.A., University of Chicago; married (wife, Teresa), has three children: Don, Frances, and Margaret.