|
ISSUE
|
Rod Blagojevich
|
Jim Ryan
|
| Death Penalty |
Supports |
Supports |
| Moratorium |
Supports |
Supports |
| Reduction of Eligibility Factors |
Opposes: "We
should be working to eliminate the unfairness of the system, not
to eliminate categories of truly heinous crimes." |
Supports: Goal is to execute "worst
of the worst."
However: Supports eligibility in cases where the victim is a child
or the murder is an act of terrorism. He also believes murder
committed in the course of a felony should remain in place, though
"trimmed down." |
| Execution of Mentally Ill |
Opposes |
Opposes |
| Videotaped Interrogation |
Supports: However, he emphasizes the need to
work with police officials "to ensure that videotaping interrogations
does not compromise our ability to prosecute criminals." |
Supports: "Where practicable—as long
as we provide police agencies with sufficient funding & training." |
| Measures to Insure Competent Counsel |
Supports: Minimum standards for attorneys. Increase
in state trust fund in this area. |
Supports: Agrees with "the emphasis on specialized
training for practitioners of capital cases." |
| In Custody Informants |
Opposes: Would prohibit execution of individuals
convicted solely from this testimony. |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
| DNA Testing |
Supports: He believes in guarantee that indigent
defendants have access. |
Supports: "Need to fully support funding
for a comprehensive DNA database." |
| Judge’s Ability to Convert Death Sentence
to LWOP |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
Supports |
| Victim’s Assistance |
Supports: He supports "increasing emergency
counseling services, advocacy services and court-related assistance." |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
| Amendment to the Eavesdropping Statute |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
Supports: He supports an amendment which would allow
police to record suspects without their knowledge. |
|
ISSUE
|
Lisa Madigan
|
Joseph Birkett
|
| Death Penalty |
Supports |
Supports |
| Moratorium |
Opposes |
Supports |
| Reduction of Eligibility Factors |
Supports: However,
she believes "Prosecutors must have the discretion to seek
capital punishment for a number of other vicious murders, such
as a defendant who kills a child or an elderly person or murders
during a rape or violent attack." |
Supports: However, he believes murder
committed during the course of a felony, the rape and murder of
a child, contract killing, murder of a senior citizen and premeditated
crimes should remain eligible for the death penalty. |
| In Custody Informants |
Opposes: Conviction based solely on this evidence
should not be death penalty eligible |
Opposes: Conviction based solely on this evidence
should not be death penalty eligible. |
| Judge’s Ability to Nullify Jury’s
Death Sentence |
Supports |
Supports |
| Appointed State Panel to Review Prosecutor’s
Decision to Seek Death Penalty |
Opposes: Feels this panel would limit prosecutorial
discretion. |
Opposes: Feels this panel would limit prosecutorial
discretion.
However: Advocates the creation of a "capital litigation
assistance team that will establish uniform procedures in capital
cases." |
|
DNA Testing
|
Supports: She has sponsored such legislation
and supports the creation of a database and increased funding
in this area. |
Supports: He contributed to the drafting of 1996
legislation that granted defendants post-trial DNA testing. He
supports the expansion of the DNA database. |
| Videotaped Interrogation |
Supports However: "We also must respond
to the concerns of law enforcement professionals by allowing some
exceptions for the admission of unrecorded statements." |
Supports: He claimed to "have long been
an advocate of videotaping suspects’ statements."
However: He was an ardent opponent to HB 2740 in 2001which proposed
mandatory videotaping. He stated he was "opposed to a rigid
rule that would exclude statements that are not videotaped." |
| Amendment to the Eavesdropping Statute |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
Supports |
| Increased Training for Police, Lawyers &
Judges |
Supports |
Supports |
|
Increased Support for Victims
|
Supports: "We must commit resources to improving
support services & counseling for murder victims’ families." |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
|
Trial Judge Must Concur With Jury’s
Finding
|
Supports |
Did Not Comment on This Issue |
