[JURIST] The Illinois Senate [official website], sitting in a lame-duck session, on Tuesday passed a bill abolishing the state’s death penalty [JURIST news archive]. The amended bill (SB3539) [amendment, text], approved [JURIST report] by the House last week, passed 35-22 [Chicago Tribune report] and now proceeds to Governor Pat Quinn [official website] for his signature or veto. It marks the first time the state legislature has voted to abolish the death penalty since former Governor George Ryan put a moratorium…