Opinion ID: 2241917
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pardon

Text: The parties concede that the Governor's pardon of defendant has no effect on the legal question presented in this appeal. They have advanced no argument on the issue. Further, the appellate court expressly noted that its decision was without regard to the pardon's effect. See 281 Ill.App.3d at 668, 217 Ill.Dec. 481, 667 N.E.2d 570. As part of our review, nevertheless, we have briefly considered the pardon's nature and effect. In that regard, we note the following. Some courts have held that a pardon not only relieves the punishment for the offense but blots out the existence of the guilt of the offender. 67A C.J.S. Pardon and Parole § 18 (1978). This court, however, has held that a pardon merely releases an inmate from custody and supervision. People ex rel. Abner v. Kinney, 30 Ill.2d 201, 205, 195 N.E.2d 651 (1964). Since the very essence of a pardon is forgiveness or remission of penalty, assessed on the basis of the conviction of the offender, a pardon implies guilt; it does not obliterate the fact of the commission of the crime and the conviction thereof. 67A C.J.S. Pardon and Parole § 18 (1978). In other words, a pardon involves forgiveness but not forgetfulness. 29 Ill. L. & Prac. Pardons § 1, at 109 (1957); see also People v. Chiappa, 53 Ill.App.3d 639, 640, 11 Ill.Dec. 317, 368 N.E.2d 925 (1977). The law in Illinois, though slight, supports a conclusion that Talarico's pardon did not negate the fact of his criminal conviction for purposes of collateral estoppel.