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Rauner Wants To Reinstate Death Penalty To Curb Violence

Seth Perlman
/
AP
Gov. Bruce Rauner said bringing state executions back will “dramatically improve public safety.”";s:

Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois for mass murderers and those who kill police officers.

Rauner put the provision in legislation he rewrote Monday. The bill extends the waiting period to 72 hours for delivery for assault-style weapons. Currently it's 24 hours.

The Republican approved the waiting period but used amendatory veto authority to add other measures. They include restoration of capital punishment in heinous crimes. Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011.

Rauner said bringing state executions back will “dramatically improve public safety.”

“These individuals who commit mass murder, who choose to murder a law enforcement officer, they deserve to have their life taken. They deserve that," Rauner said.

Rauner also added a ban on bump stocks that speed up rifle firing rates and authorization for officials to take weapons from dangerous individuals.

The legislation returns to the General Assembly. Democrats who control the House and Senate must approve the plan for it to become law.

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Sam is a Public Affairs Reporting intern for spring 2018, working out the NPR Illinois Statehouse bureau.
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