Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation abolishing the death penalty in Illinois on March 9 and today a philosophy professor, a lawyer, a minister and a political science professor will discuss the issue at the Capital Punishment Forum.

Andrew Moran, a junior philosophy major and president of the Philosophy, said the main purpose of the event is to give students and community members the opportunity to have their questions answered and to be able to form their own opinions on the matter.

“This event is meant to spotlight the governor’s recent decision to abolish capital punishment in Illinois by bringing people together and providing them with the different sides of the issue,” Moran said.

The forum will be a debate and discussion with presenters Roy Lanham, the director of the Newman Catholic Center, Grant Sterling, a philosophy professor, Karen Swenson, a political science professor and Steve Davis, a lawyer from the Student Legal Service.

“We will discuss both the practical and ethical implications of the death penalty in Illinois and also the larger issue, in general, about the morality aspect of the issue,” Moran said.

Gerald Cotiangco, a senior foreign language major and a member of the Philosophy Club, said the forum was originally scheduled to take place before Quinn made his decision, but because of scheduling complications, the event was scheduled for today.

“Now the forum will be more of a reaction to what the governor decided and there will be various perspectives presented by interested experts concerning the fields of theology, the constitution, practicing law and more,” Cotiangco said. “As these people come together from different backgrounds, it will be very interesting to hear their views and their debate on capital punishment, which is greatly relevant at this time in Illinois.”

The event is sponsored by the Eastern Philosophy Club and Phi Sigma Tau.

“I think the really important part of this event is not only the broader ethical sense, but the practical aspect of how our government takes the lives of individuals and we have a duty to be informed and make our own decisions,” Moran said.

Cotiangco said the forum will expose others to different arguments about the death penalty they have not considered and it can either change their opinions or reaffirm the views they already have.

“I am against the death penalty and I cannot imagine being responsible for someone’s predetermined execution,” Cotiangco said. “I am very glad the legislation passed because I don’t think we should give our government that sort of power, especially since it seems contradictory to put people to death for murder.”

Moran said they have been planning the event for around six weeks by gathering individuals with the most experience and value relating to the topic.

Moran also said they will present a brief history of the death penalty in the United States and Illinois and Swenson will provide a constitutional overview regarding the topic.

The Capital Punishment Forum is today at 5:30 p.m. in the Lumpkin Hall Auditorium.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]