Suburban GOP lawmakers oppose death penalty ban

SPRINGFIELD — Two suburban Republican lawmakers Tuesday reiterated their opposition to banning the death penalty in Illinois and offered alternatives.

Gov. Pat Quinn is mulling legislation whether to repeal capital punishment in Illinois.

Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale and Rep. Dennis Reboletti of Elmhurst said they wanted to veto the legislation, which would abolish the death penalty.

If Quinn ends the death penalty, though, Reboletti and Dillard have proposed legislation that would reinstitute capital punishment, but only for the most serious offenses.

Reboletti has also called for a statewide referendum on the death penalty.