Governor Pat Quinn Takes Clemency Action

CHICAGO - April 10, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today approved 11 clemency petitions. This is the first in a series of clemency decisions aimed at ending a massive backlog of nearly 2,500 cases that built up during the previous administration.

"Justice delayed is justice denied," said Governor Quinn. "My administration is fully-committed to erasing this shameful log jam of cases in a methodical manner and with all deliberate speed."

The 11 clemency petitions approved by Governor Quinn are part of 31 cases from the January 2003 docket.  Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check.

Since taking office in January, Governor Quinn has made erasing the backlog of clemency cases a top priority. The Office of the General Counsel is systematically reviewing every case and working to drastically reduce the build-up by year's end.

"We are working tirelessly to solve this problem and to make sure it never happens again," said Governor Quinn.

For further information on the approved clemency cases, please contact the Prisoner Review Board at 217-782-7273.