By Angela Hatton
Springfield, IL – An Illinois State House committee today narrowly recommended abolishing the death penalty. A judiciary panel voted 4-3 today to send abolition legislation to the House floor. Former Governor George Ryan suspended executions in 2000 because 13 condemned men were later exonerated or evidence against them was ruled improper. No one has been executed in Illinois since then. Opponents complain the issue is too important to decide in the three days remaining in the Legislature's fall session.