Chicago, Ill., May 15, 2018 / 23:09 pm
The Catholic Conference of Illinois decried the governor's call to re-establish the death penalty, which has not been used in the state in nearly 20 years.
"We are distressed and alarmed by Gov. Bruce Rauner's call for the reinstatement of the death penalty in any way, shape or form," the conference said in a May 14 statement.
"We are all God's children, and our first – and primary – right to life must always be protected and unconditional."
On Monday, Governor Rauner encouraged lawmakers to reinstate capital punishment in Illinois for individuals convicted of mass murder or the death of a police officer.