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The Coalition lost one of
its true leaders with the death of Dick Cunningham on March 1, 2001.
He was both a great death row lawyer and a creative and committed
activist. Dick continues to be remembered and honored by his colleagues
and the anti-death penalty movement. His wife Maria now serves on
the ICADP Board.
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The Governor's Commission
on Capital Punishment is nearing completion of Its work. The Coalition
recently sent Commission members a position statement urging the
Commission to recommend replacement of the death penalty in its
report.
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The Coalition worked with
its partners the Catholic Conference of Illinois. ACLU, Amnesty
International and League of Women Voters to educate legislators
on the flaws in House Bill 1812, which would have expanded the death
penalty to include murders committed in furtherance of gang activity.
Governor Ryan wisely vetoed the bill in August. Many Coalition members
took the time to contact their legislator and the governor. Thanks!
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Jane Bohman is the new executive
director of ICADP, having served previously as the Coalition on
its vital work. She replaces Doug Dobmeyer.
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Downstate Organizing: Coalition
staff attended a death penalty education and organizing event in
in Bloomington-Normal September 25. Sue and Terry Cain, the organizers
and seasoned anti-death penalty activists who worked on the abolition
campaign in Nebraska prior to their move here, have informed Jane
that a working group against capital punishment came out of the
meeting and has begun to meet regularly. The Coalition has also
held successful outreach meetings in Rockford and Decatur last summer.
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The Coalition met October
13 with a representative of Ensemble centre la pelne de mort, a
French abolitionist organJ2ation that organized the first worldwide
congress against the death penalty in June. The organization seeks
to form a worldwide Coalition to Abolish the death penalty.
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At the National Coalition
Against the Death Penalty's National Conference October 18-21. The
Coalition made presentations at the legislative plenary session
and a workshop on Building Momentum for a Moratorium. 1CADP Board
Member Dick Cunningham was presented with a posthumous Special Recognition
Award, which Jane Bohman presented to Dick's wife Maria.
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1CADP is collaborating with
the Religious Organizing Project of AFSC to make Illinois one of
two pilot states for a new anti-death penalty initiative centered
around the Martin Luther King, }r. holiday. The project will make
the link between Dr. King's message and struggle to end the death
penalty.
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A very successful and fun
show with the Mekons, Neko Case and Pat McDonald to benefit ICADP
was held at the Hideout, October 14. Thanks to the artists and the
Hideout for their support.
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The Woods Fund of Chicago
has made a S40,000 grant to the Coalition to allow it to continue
its education and outreach efforts.
You can contact us about our programs at:
Illinois Coalition to Abolish The Death Penalty
Executive Director Jane Bohman
180 N. Michigan Ave.
Suite 2300
Chicago, IL 60601-7401
Phone: (312) 849-2279
Fax: (312) 201-9760
email: info@icadp.org
