DEATH PENALTY REFORM APPROVED IN ILLINOIS

The House bill covers many of the recommendations made by a commission appointed by then Governor George Ryan, who suspended all executions in 2000 and cleared out death row of all 167 inmates at the end of his term in January 2003.
The measure makes it easier for murder defendants to get evidence that could help them in their trials, allows judges to second-guess jury death sentences and lets the Supreme Court set aside sentences it deems unjust.
It also sets up a pilot program for police to videotape interrogations and prohibits executing the mentally retarded.
The bill is due back to the Senate for consideration of House amendments. "This is a good bill. We probably should have done it earlier, but we didn´t. We´re doing it now," said the bill´s sponsor, Republican Leader Tom Cross.