KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) — Illinois politicians reacted Friday to the death of 91-year-old former Illinois Governor George Ryan. The embattled Republican served as governor from 1999 to 2003.
Ryan leaves behind a legacy that includes ending the death penalty in Illinois, getting things done while Governor, but he also served time in prison on a corruption charge.
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The side of the former governor that sent him to prison is the dark side of his history, but that stands in stark contrast to the gratitude people have for his work to end the death penalty in Illinois.
The former governor was remembered Friday by those who knew him, some who dealt with him during his one term as governor, others who represented him during his corruption trial, and still others who worked with him to issue the moratorium on the death penalty.
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The former Illinois Republican governor grew up in Kankakee, where he worked in the family pharmacy before launching a four decade career in state government.
He rose from speaker of the Illinois House, to Lt. Governor, then Secretary of State and finally serving one term as governor from 1999 to 2003.
Illinois politicians and officials reacted Friday to the death of embattled former Republican Illinois Governor George Ryan.
“Well, George Ryan was the best guy ever worked for. He was a really good man,” former Ryan press secretary Dennis Culloton said. “He loved his family, he loved this. He loved government, loved the state, he loved the art of politics, and he made some very courageous stands as governor that.”
Ryan made international headlines in 2000 when he put a moratorium on the state’s death penalty.
“My concern basically was if I had left office and didn’t do anything about it and woke up one morning and foundsome innocent person had died, I would have to live with that the rest of my life,” Ryan said.
Andrea Lyon became a close friend during the fight to end the death penalty and later served as part of Ryan’s defense team.
“He’s been in hospice care now for three days,” Lyon said. “He was pretty non-communicative yesterday and today, pretty much not much. He died at home, which is what he wanted. He died surrounded by his daughters and his son, which is what he wanted. He died in a circle of love.”
Lyon said an embattled Ryan, outside the federal courthouse, once encountered a disabled veteran who had no coat in the cold and he asked him why.
“The veteran… you know, looked down,” Lyon said. “He said, ‘Well, I was at a shelter and couldn’t protect it…’ He’d been robbed, and George Ryan took off his coat and gave it to him… That’s George Ryan.”
Ryan was known as someone who cared about people and is described as an old school politician who wanted to get things done.
Former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin was in the legislature when Ryan was governor.
“He was the person that was able to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans in the chambers,” Durkin said. “He was the person that bridged the gap between labor and management on major issues. He loved being able to resolve the problems… He accepted his responsibility. And I think that shows a lot of character. People may never forgive him for what happened with the Willis family. But I also know that we’re human beings and that we make mistakes, all of us do, and we should forgive. We should move on.”
But Ryan also went to prison for a corruption conviction tied to his time as Illinois Secretary of State, when commercial drivers licenses were sold to unqualified drivers, resulting in a horrific crash that killed six members of the Willis Family.
“George Ryan was acquitted of many charges,” attorney Dan Webb said. “He was convicted of some, some counts. He did serve time in prison. He paid his penalty. But I don’t, I have to tell you, in my opinion, that does not detract from the contribution he made to Illinois history, that history will stand tall… History has shown that… many other states followed in his footsteps, and while there were people who criticized him, that criticism disappeared over time, and it turned out to be the right decision.”
It was quiet Friday at the Ryan home in Kankakee, where he lived for more than 60 years. Some well-wishers came and went, but for the most part, people have been giving the family their privacy.
In the meantime, at nearby Kankakee City Hall, purple bunting has been put up in honor of Ryan, and flags have been lowered.
Ryan lived in Kankakee most of his life. He worked at the family pharmacy, before serving on the Kankakee County Board and representing the area in the general assembly.
His service is memorialized on a wall near the county courthouse there, which recognizes the three Illinois governors from Kankakee.
RELATED: 20 years after commuting 167 Illinois death sentences, ex-Gov. George Ryan has no regrets
City leaders said Ryan was heavily-involved in the community for decades. He was a founding member of The Hundred Club of Kankakee County, which supports families of fallen first responders.
“Through all the trials and tribulations over the years, he was a good man, and he was good for this community, and everybody loved him here,” said Larry Osenga, Former President of The Hundred Club of Kankakee County.
The gymnasium at Kankakee Community College is named after Ryan. He brought resources there and had his hand in many local programs.
“He always kept Kankakee close to his heart,” Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis said. “He delivered resources to countless people, not just institutions and government agencies but families and individuals, and for that I think that’s his lasting legacy is what he did for the people of this area.”
Through all the trials and tribulations over the years, he was a good man, and he was good for this community, and everybody loved him here. (9)
Kankakee’s mayor, who is also a neighbor and knows the family well, said the city will be talking about ways to honor Ryan in the coming days and weeks.
“When you think of Kankakee, you think of the river, you think of the depot, and you do think of Governor Ryan, and that’s how much he meant to the community,” Curtis said.
ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington discussed the legacy of the late former Illinois Governor George Ryan.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker shared the following statement:
“Sending my deepest condolences to former Governor Ryan’s family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing.”
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton shared the following statement:
“Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Governor Ryan. Sending strength to his family and friends and lifting them in prayer.”
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