Newspapers weigh in on death penalty

Newspapers throughout Illinois and the nation have been discussing the state's death penalty laws. The Illinois General Assembly is expected to take up the measure in its next session - which starts tomorrow. Here is a roundup of recent editorials and news articles on the issue:

• Our Opinion: It's time for state to abolish death penalty, Springfield State Journal-Register
• Our view: Accept no substitute, abolish death penalty in Illinois, Rockford Register Star
• Expose hits hard at death penalty system, New York Times
• New effort to eliminate death penalty in Illinois, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Group to push for death penalty ban, Decatur Herald & Review
• Bill to repeal Illinois' death penalty may come up for vote next week, Chicago Business