George Ryan
George Homer Ryan (born February 24, 1934) is an American former politician who served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as secretary of State of Illinois from 1991 to 1999 and as lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1991. He was later convicted of federal racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering and tax fraud stemming from his time in office.
George Ryan | |
|---|---|
Ryan in 2007 | |
| 39th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 11, 1999 – January 13, 2003 | |
| Lieutenant | Corinne Wood |
| Preceded by | Jim Edgar |
| Succeeded by | Rod Blagojevich |
| 36th Secretary of State of Illinois | |
| In office January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1999 | |
| Governor | Jim Edgar |
| Preceded by | Jim Edgar |
| Succeeded by | Jesse White |
| 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 10, 1983 – January 14, 1991 | |
| Governor | James R. Thompson |
| Preceded by | Dave O'Neal |
| Succeeded by | Bob Kustra |
| 65th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 14, 1981 – January 10, 1983 | |
| Governor | James R. Thompson |
| Preceded by | William A. Redmond |
| Succeeded by | Arthur A. Telcser |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 43rd district | |
| In office January 1973 – January 1983 | |
| Preceded by | James Carrigan Robert Day Fred J. Tuerk |
| Succeeded by | Judy Baar Topinka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Homer Ryan February 24, 1934 Maquoketa, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Lura Lowe
(m. 1956; died 2011) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Ferris State University (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1956 |
Ryan was elected governor in 1998, narrowly defeating Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard. He received national attention for his 2000 moratorium on executions in Illinois and for commuting more than 160 death sentences to life sentences in 2003. He chose not to run for reelection in 2002 amid a scandal. He was later convicted of federal corruption charges and spent more than five years in federal prison and seven months of home confinement. He was released from federal prison on July 3, 2013.