You’ve asked the wrong question. The real question is “Should we bring back executions FOR Illinois lawmakers?”

No.

What does the death penalty accomplish? It is apparent it has not been a deterrent to crime. In fact, given the option I would think the death penalty would be better than the rest of life in prison for the guilty. Death penalty cases are also more expensive with their automatic and, then, never ending appeals than it costs to room/board a prisoner for 70 years. It seems to me there is nothing being gained by the death penalty (except that it appeals to a certain segment of the demographic which may equal votes).

Let me clarify “In fact, given the option I would think the death penalty would be better than the rest of life in prison for the guilty.”

I was trying to say if I was guilty of a crime and was given the choice of death penalty or life in prison, I might choose the death penalty.

As much as I’d like to universally apply the most severe penalty for the most heinous crimes, there’s always that chance that the accused has been falsely accused. So unless the crime has been captured on video tape, I can’t support bringing back executions. The tragedy is that human beings are capable of the abominable acts that traditionally receive the death penalty. There’s no real solution to this problem..and there never will be. Despite all our sophistication, it’s a reminder that we really do continue to live in a jungle.

I used to be pro-death penalty, but I now I find myself not so sure. When you see people being released from prison after a decade or more because of DNA evidence, it makes you wonder how many innocent people have been put to death. And I say how many, not if, because the odds are that it has happened. It shouldn’t happen again.

Take those who deserve capital punishment and give them a box to live in, with no TV or libraries, and no interaction with other people until their natural death. That is fair and just.

How about you people who think “everyone has the right to live” let some of these death row inmates babysit your kids. No its not a deterrent, because these slick dick lawyers always find a loophole or like someone else said spend 10 years using up appeal after appeal. Just start executing the that have been convicted beyond a shadow of a doubt and stick with it, dont let these right to lifers get in the way, eventually these people will get it or be executed

I don’t support the death penalty. Although I don’t live in Illinois, I would hope that lawmakers simply abolish it in their state. I’d like to see Missouri do that, as well.

Compare the rate of violence in society now as opposed to what it was in the 1950’s,and see if all the new liberalistic attitudes now hasn’t increased violence considerably,the lack of death penalty use is just one of them.If you think its safer nowthe ban the death penalty every where,if not,the continue its use,I vote for the fifties. LS

How about not only do you let them babysit your kids, but why don’t you just move them into your house? That way you can go ahead and pay their room and board (maybe get them an education) at the same time. I say it’s time to enforce the death penalty. Some of these prisoners are living better in jail than most of the homeless or low income families in America. They are entitled to 3 meals a day, able to work out, get an education, have a job… what else?