Latest news with #GeorgeRyan
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Memorial service for George Ryan held in his hometown of Kankakee
KANKAKEE, Ill. (WGN) — Funeral services for former Gov. George Ryan took place in his hometown of Kankakee. Friends, family and colleagues gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church on Thursday to say goodbye to Ryan during a memorial service. Cameras were not permitted inside the church during the ceremony. A private entombment was held prior to the service, WGN News has learned. Ryan passed away last Friday at the age of 91. Previous Coverage: Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91 He served as the 39th Governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Ryan, a Republican, also served as Illinois Secretary of State before his governorship from 1991 to 1999, and as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991. He made national headlines in January 2000 when he imposed a statewide moratorium on executions, and three years later, commuted the sentences of 167 convicted who were on or waiting to be sent to Illinois' death row. Thom Serafin, the communicator who ran the memorial service, noted how Ryan was known to reach across the aisle on political issues of his era in American politics. 'The difference today is we don't communicate; we don't talk to each other,' Serafin said. 'I was in Springfield last couple days. There are a lot of issues, but we don't talk to each other. Republicans are not talking to democrats. Democrats are not talking to Republicans.' Hedy Ratner, a lifelong Chicago Democrat who worked alongside Ryan and former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, recapped part of her speech after the ceremony. 'On so many issues, he was ahead of his time, often taking position in opposition to the consternation of his conservative Republican colleagues,' Ratner said. 'He was very grumpy, but he was very kind and generous. I ended up saying, since I know he is watching me and timing me—he always accused me of talking more than I should—please forgive me dearly George. I just couldn't cut this.' After his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 that stemmed from his time as secretary of state. He went on to serve more than five years in federal prison, during which his wife died from lung cancer in 2011. 'He didn't feel that he did the things he was accused of, but the separation of Lura Lynn was the penalty of his life,' Serafin said. Ryan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, but grew up in Kankakee County and attended Kankakee High School. In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually served a 13-month tour in Korea. After returning from the Army, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Lura Lynn. The two had five daughters and one son. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kankakee mourns George Ryan, former Illinois governor who rose from local roots
The Brief Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan was remembered in his hometown of Kankakee as a devoted family man and bipartisan political leader during a funeral service Thursday. Ryan, who died at 91, rose from pharmacist to governor, but his career was later overshadowed by a corruption scandal that led to prison time. Attendees also praised his decision to suspend the death penalty in Illinois, citing his concerns about fairness in the justice system. KANKAKEE, Ill. - Kankakee residents joined Illinois political veterans on Thursday to honor former Gov. George Ryan at a funeral service held at Asbury United Methodist Church in his hometown. What we know Though Ryan achieved statewide political fame, many in Kankakee remembered him simply as a family man. "He was a good husband. He loved his family," said Pastor Scott Henley, who presided over the funeral service. "And that's what we're going to try to remember today and celebrate." The former governor's family, including his four daughters and son, arrived at the memorial service after laying Ryan to rest at a private internment service in the morning. Ryan was 91 years old when he passed away last week. He got his start as a pharmacist in Kankakee, then moved into politics, eventually becoming a Republican House speaker, lieutenant governor, Secretary of State and finally Illinois' governor. "There aren't too many Republicans in Illinois," said political analyst Thom Serafin, who attended the funeral. "But this guy went from local all the way to the top in Illinois. So there was something there." Ryan's Legacy Ryan was remembered as an old-school politician and a dealmaker who could work with both sides of the aisle. "In those days, we would work together," said former Cook County Democratic powerhouse Joe Berrios, who served in the legislature. "We'd go out and hang out together. We'd go out and talk to each other about what's going on in Springfield and what they needed in their district." Ryan's legacy is tarnished by the licenses for bribes scandal, which landed him in federal prison for a number of years. But he was also remembered Thursday for suspending Illinois' death penalty, a political about-face prompted by problems in the justice system. "It wasn't that he was an opposition to the death penalty," said Ryan's longtime friend Hedy Ratner. "He was in opposition to what is unfair." The Source FOX 32's Dane Placko reported on this story.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Funeral services for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan to be held Thursday
KANKAKEE, Ill. — Funeral services will be held Thursday for former Illinois Governor George Ryan. A memorial service will be held at noon at Asbury United Methodist Church, located at 196 South Harrison Avenue in Kankakee. Ryan, a Republican, served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Alongside his time as Governor, Ryan also served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999 and as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991. Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91 He will be long remembered for taking action to end the death penalty in Illinois. After his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 and later served over five years in federal prison. The former governor died last week at 91. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Funeral arrangements for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan announced
The Brief Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, 91, passed away Friday; his visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, and a memorial service at noon Thursday, May 8, both in Kankakee. Ryan served in various political roles, including Illinois House Speaker, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and governor from 1999 to 2003. He is remembered for his controversial legacy, including a federal corruption conviction in 2007 and his decision to halt executions in Illinois. CHICAGO - Funeral arrangements for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, who died Friday at the age of 91, have been announced. Funeral Services A visitation for Ryan will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 6 in Kankakee at the Schreffler Funeral Home, according to his obituary. His memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Thursday, May 8, at the Ashbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee. Ryan passed away peacefully at his home in Kankakee, surrounded by his family. He was remembered as a "loving and attentive husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather," his obituary said. The backstory Ryan, the 39th governor of Illinois, began his political career in 1968 as a member of the Kankakee County Board before becoming its chairman. In 1973, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served for 10 years, including six as leader of the Republican caucus and two as Speaker of the House, his obituary said. In 1983, Ryan was elected lieutenant governor, serving for eight years. He was then elected Illinois Secretary of State in 1990 and re-elected in 1994. Ryan ran for governor in 1997 and served from 1999 to 2003. He is also remembered for his complicated legacy, which includes a federal corruption conviction and a landmark decision to halt executions in Illinois. In 2007, Ryan was convicted on 18 counts of corruption related to his time as secretary of state and governor. He served more than five years in federal prison and was released in 2013. RELATED: Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan dies at 91
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Funeral arrangements announced for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan
*Editor's note: The video in the player above is from previous reporting after the former governor's death. KANKAKEE, Ill. (WGN) – Funeral arrangements have been announced for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, who died Friday at the age of 91. According to the former governor's obituary, visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 at Schreffer Funeral Home in Kankakee. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former Illinois Governor George Ryan, who served time for corruption, dies at 91 A memorial service will be held at noon Thursday, May 8 at Asbury United Methodist Church, also in Kankakee. Ryan, a Republican, served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Alongside his time as Governor, Ryan also served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1991 to 1999 and as the state's Lieutenant Governor from 1983 to 1991. WATCH: Family, friends remember Former Illinois Governor George Ryan After his time in office, Ryan was convicted on fraud and racketeering charges in 2006 and later served over five years in federal prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
