The authority to pardon (grant clemency) someone for a crime under state law belongs to the governor. In most states, a pardon restores rights taken away after following a criminal conviction - usually for a felony (e.g., right to vote, hold public office, own a gun). In Illinois, we are fortunate in that the right to vote is automatically reinstated after one is released from prison (no prison sentence, voting rights are never suspended). A pardon is an act of forgiveness, public recognition that someone is fully rehabilitated.
Read MoreFollowing his first year in office, I posted an article about Governor Bruce Rauner’s record of granting clemency. Since then, little has changed. Governor Rauner granted the same percentage of petitions in 2016 as he did in 2015: a mere 3.6%. In 2016, Governor Rauner granted 42 petitions, while denying 1,110. The governor’s clemency approval rate is a far cry from what it used to be. Under Governor Pat Quinn, one-quarter to one-third of petitions were granted annually.
Read MoreIn 2013, when Illinois became the last state to issue concealed carry permits, there was an increase in the number of people interested in applying for a F.O.I.D. card, a prerequisite to qualifying for a concealed carry permit. Some people soon discovered that they didn’t qualify for a F.O.I.D. card because of their past criminal history.
Read MoreLast year, after Governor Rauner ruled on his second batch of clemency petitions, in a June 2015 blog post, I wrote that there were few clues to explain why 7 people were granted clemency and 57 were denied clemency. Since that posting, Governor Rauner went on to grant an additional 30 petitions. All told, in 2015, 37 petitions were granted (3.6%) and 1001 petitions were denied. The governor’s office says it will review petitions for clemency on a regular basis. In 2015, petitions were granted in April, May, July, September, November, and December.
Read MoreSince taking office in January, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has been mum about how he feels about using his power to grant clemency . During his first six months in office, Gov. Rauner has only granted clemency to nine people, while rejecting the petitions of 201.
Read MoreIn 2014, actor Mark Wahlberg applied for a pardon from then Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. By the time he turned 17, the actor committed several crimes. After reading his petition, I concluded Wahlberg did not deserve a pardon. I will explain why.
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