Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago

Administration of the Death Penalty

October 19, 1999

Governor George H. Ryan
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Re: Administration of the Death Penalty

Dear Governor Ryan:

This letter is written on behalf of the members of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. The Council is composed of forty of the chief leaders of the Chicago area's Roman Catholic, Jewish, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant communions and institutions.

We are writing to express our continuing concern regarding the administration of the Death Penalty in the State of Illinois and to urge that this matter be actively addressed at the highest levels of state government.

The members of the Council are not of one mind regarding the right or wrong of capital punishment, reflecting the heartfelt differences of men and women of good will in the public at large. They are, however, united in believing that there is overwhelming evidence that the death penalty as it currently exists and is administered in this state is replete with errors, injustice and abuse.

We, therefore, wish to add our voices to all those who have called for cessation of capital punishment in the Illinois at least until such time as it can be clearly demonstrated that the widely recognized problems are fully examined and corrected. We respectfully ask that you personally add your leadership and influence to this end.

With personal regards and encouragement in your service to the citizens of the State of Illinois.

The Most Reverend Timothy Lyne
President