Illinois lawmakers weigh compromise on guns, death penalty
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Democratic-controlled Illinois Legislature on Monday will begin weighing Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's compromise plan to reinstate the death penalty in exchange for even stricter gun restrictions than the ones legislators approved.
Rauner used his veto powers last week to insert the death penalty language, along with measures that include extending the waiting period on all guns from 24 to 72 hours, into a bill both chambers approved with veto-proof majorities. The original bill would impose the restriction just for assault-style weapons.
The prospect of returning capital punishment is a long shot in Illinois, where executions were halted in 2000 when then-Gov. George Ryan warned of "the demon of error.