CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has approved 133 clemency petitions, part of what he calls a "massive backlog" of nearly 2,500 cases built up under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The petitions approved Wednesday are part of 265 cases from dockets in 2003 and 2004. Among those pardoned was Stephen Cage of Chicago, who has been seeking a pardon since 2003 for a 1960 armed robbery. Cage, maintains his innocence, sought the pardon so that he could be a substitute teacher. Andrew Reyes, whose 1992 attempted murder conviction was overturned on appeal, had his case expunged by Quinn. State officials say each person granted clemency recently underwent a criminal background check. Quinn has approved 179 other clemency petitions since taking office in January. He has denied 182. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
