Over five years ago, former Illinois Gov. George Ryan emptied the states’ death row over fears that an innocent person could be executed. Five years and many discussions and hand-wringing later, the state is no closer to a permanent decision.

The current governor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, refuses to carry out executions of the 14 people now on death row despite approving several reforms. Lawmakers have ignored legislative attempts to decide the issue. And prosecutors are slower to seek the death penalty.

Like today’s Associated Press story says, “It’s time for lawmakers to lift the moratorium or abolish the death penalty.”

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett said Gov. Blagojevich should lift the moratorium, saying the reforms have made it virtually impossible for the innocent to end up on death row.

“This has been a thoughtful, careful and informed set of reforms that all parties have had a chance to weigh in on and I don’t think the governor is even aware of these and the effect that they’re having across the state,” Birkett said.

But Jane Bohman, executive director of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, argues the capital punishment system has improved but is still flawed.

Other states have made more progress, including New Jersey, Virginia and California. Even Missouri has an execution planned for the near future.

Should Illinois lawmakers bring back executions?