By Evelyn Bomer
Chair
However, another execution is scheduled for March 17, and we request that members and friends of the church write or fax or call Governor George Ryan (217) 782-6830 or (312) 814-2121; Fax (814) 677-3125, 100 West Randolph, Chicago, regarding Special House Bill 0723 introduced February 9, 1999, by Representatives Pugh, Currie and Lou Jones.
Brief excerpts from the February 12 Chicago Tribune editorial, as well as many other papers, clearly reveal the scandalous record of the State of Illinois since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977. The state’s policy needs overhauling, beginning with an immediate halt to the execution machinery — a moratorium, during which procedures for handling capital cases can be changed. We think this should be done by a non-racist and non-partisan group. The community is insisting upon having a say in who is appointed to the committee.
Governor George Ryan has the authority to establish a moratorium and we think he should use it NOW before they execute anybody else.
For your information — the five Chicago Tribune articles written by Maurice Posely (January 10-15, 1999) exposing injustices in the police and court system can be reviewed in the church office. They are in a red notebook. We invite you to join us at the moratorium rally March 3 at 5:00 p.m. at the State of Illinois Building on Clark and Randolph.