CHICAGO - Gov. George Ryan is considering commuting every death row inmate's sentence to life in prison, raising more questions about the death penalty in a state where executions are already on hold.

The governor suspended executions in January 20000 after a string of death row inmates were released.

Since Illinois resumed capital punishment in 1977, 12 people have been executed and 13 other death sentences were overturned.   In some cases, evidence showed they were innocent; in others, courts ruled that they received unfair trials.

After the Illinois Prisoner Review Board said this week it would review requests from 157 inmates who filed clemency petitions and recommend any changes to the governor, Ryan declared Friday commutation should be all or nothing.

"I don't know how I could pick and choose," Ryan said.  "That's why I have to determine whether it's going to be for everybody or for nobody."

Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine called the governor's consideration "irresponsible and an insult to the hundreds of victims' families who have lost a loved one due to violent crime."

Jane Bohman, executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty, said Ryan is being realistic about flaws in the system.

"Why risk executing someone when they can be given a prison term of life?"  Bohman said.  "You can't give a second chance to someone who's already in the grave."

Anne Taylor, the review board's chairwoman, said the board will give each of the 157 requests fair treatment; Ryan, who leaves office in January, promised to read all the board's recommendations.

He also said state lawmakers could sway his decision by acting on changes to death penalty laws recommended by a panel he appointed.