Rauner Grants 2 Pardons, Rejects 57 Other Clemency Requests

In this March 20, 2015 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at a news conference in Chicago.
In this March 20, 2015 file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at a news conference in Chicago. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Gov. Bruce Rauner has issued his first two pardons since becoming governor nearly three months ago.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that the recent pardons by the Republican went to Neil Hebert and Michael Sullivan. Rauner rejected 57 other clemency petitions.

The 43-year-old Hebert was convicted of theft in Champaign County when he was 20. He served two years of probation. The News-Gazette says Sullivan was convicted of burglary in Cook County in 1979.

Rauner's office says he inherited nearly 3,000 clemency petitions as he took over as governor.

The News-Gazette says his immediate predecessor, Democrat Pat Quinn, himself inherited about 2,500 petitions from Rod Blagojevich. Quinn reviewed more than 4,900 petitions, granted around 1,800 and denied some 3,130.

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