- State Sen. Kwame Raoul is stopping short of saying that President Obama tipped his hand, or lobbied Gov. Pat Quinn, on Illinois’ bill that would abolish the death penalty.
Quinn has until March 18 decide whether to sign the bill. Without his signature, it automatically becomes law.
Quinn met Friday with Raoul and State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), two of the chief legislative sponsors of the abolition bill. He had widely been expected to act on the bill Friday, but abruptly put off a decision until sometime next week.
Raoul indicated that Quinn remains extremely sensitive about the bill and the passionate advocates on both sides of the issue.
“The governor said he’s going to make a careful, thoughtful decision and he doesn’t want to make one that would seem offensive to anyone on either side of the debate,” he said.
We're betting the veto pen is put away in this case. Either Quinn signs it claiming some moral high ground or lets it become law without his signature in an effort to appear like he isn't soft on crime (which he actually is).