CHICAGO -- Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a bill yesterday requiring police to tape interrogations and confessions in murder cases, calling it a key step in reforming Illinois' death penalty system.

''It is our moral duty to restore the integrity of the criminal justice system as we know it today in Illinois,'' said Blagojevich, whose predecessor gained national headlines for his attack on capital punishment.

The law requires police to use audio or videotape when they question murder suspects; agencies will have two years to come up with procedures.