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MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2003

Outgoing Illinois Governor George Ryan (R) has commuted the death penalty sentences of 167 people, the result of a multi-year review into a system he said was fraught with errors, inequities and racism.

The order is considered the largest emptying of death row in history. It was praised by inmates' advocates but the families of victims of convicted killers criticized Ryan for the move.

Governor-elect Rod Blagojevich (D) also blasted the decision but it is unlikely that it can be reversed.

Get the Story:
Effects of Death Penalty Ruling Debated (The Washington Post 1/13)
Illinois Death Row Emptied (The Washington Post 1/12)
Governor Empties Illinois Death Row (The New York Times 1/12)
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Relevant Documents:
Ryan Speech (1/11)

Relevant Links:
Illinois Commission on Capital Punishment - http://www.idoc.state.il.us/ccp/index.html
Illinois Prisoner Review Board Information - http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/
news/clemencyhearings.shtml

Related Stories:
Ill. panel reviews death penalty cases (10/16)