North Egypt News

In a March 23 appearance on News Radio WJPF, Rep. Dave Severin (R-Marion), discussed a variety of topics including the status of his bill regarding the reinstatement of the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing police officers.

"On our side of the aisle, several of my fellow representatives have jumped on that bill and but we can't get it called in committee. Why? Because the the other side of the aisle, it is not part of their initiative," Severin said. "I mean it just makes sense; if someone is willing to kill a cop ... what's that person willing to do to you and I in our homes or if we're walking to our car coming from a restaurant or grocery store? So I'm going to continue to push that and then we'll see where that goes."

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation abolishing the death penalty in 2011.

Severin isn't the only legislator who is eyeing the death penalty. Rep. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is urging the state to bring back the death penalty for killing a police officer following the deaths of Wayne County Sheriff Deputy Sean Riley and Bradley Police Department Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic.

House Bill 4746 was filed on Jan. 24, 2022, and was referred to the House Rules Committee on Feb. 18. No action has been taken, other than the addition of co-sponsors since then.