President Barack Obama has pardonedone Illinois resident and shortened the sentences of seven other Illinoisans convicted of federal crimes.
If you look at the numbers, President Obama is the most forgiving president since Truman. Although out of the last 12 presidents, only George H. W. Bush granted fewer pardons than Obama, he has made up for it in commutations. Monday’s announcement raises the number of inmates who have had their sentences shortened to 1,176. No other president comes close, with President Johnson runner-up with 226.
Presidents, most notably Bill Clinton, have used pardons to help political allies. But Obama favors commutationsover pardons, and has focused on shortening the “mandatory minimum” sentences some people received during the war on drugs. The president characterizes these as unduly harsh penalties.
White House Counsel Neil Eggleston says to expect more commutations before President Obama leaves office.
Presidential Clemencies for Illinoisans, 12/19/16
Pardon:
- Theresa Renee Gardley, Hillsdale
Commutation:
- Jason C. Brown, Chicago
- Terrance Range, Chicago
- Angel Santana, Chicago
- Gregory Anthony Collins, Greenville
- Travis Davis, Galesburg
- Stacia Smith, Dolton
- Jerry Strahan, Granite City